Rangers beat Livingston and Gary Holt 2-0 in a match which wasn’t just a victory for the Teddy Bears, but one for football.
Ok, maybe not that dramatic, but considering Gary Holt’s comments before the match I’ll be forgiven for saying this was a win for the football purists.
The Livi boss took umbrage with Steven Gerrard criticising his hammer throwing style of play [Daily Record], in one of the most hammer throwing responses ever uttered by a hammer throwing manager.
Grunting at Gerrard through derogatory quips about saying things in private and Walter Smith’s moral compass, Holt was clearly trying to stir the pot before this potential banana skin for Rangers in West Lothian.
Listen, fair play. For the budget and a disparity in wealth between the two sides, you can’t begrudge this particularly egoistic manager for using every tool in his disposal to maximise his chances.
Besides, it’s better he tries to use the papers rather than a solid elbow to one of our player’s coupons. Just ask Joe Aribo.
But for all Holt’s posturing and mind games pre-match, Rangers were professional, industrious and above all, a level above Livingston in West Lothian.
Though some might justify Holt’s pre-match approach, it hasn’t stopped the Bears gloating.
https://twitter.com/RangersFACTS/status/1193573244969897985
https://twitter.com/ChristineCx/status/1193564399270875140
https://twitter.com/Cjnovo992/status/1193564307986010117
https://twitter.com/GoodCopBabcock/status/1193573644280238080
https://twitter.com/1873Rickster/status/1193574999459799042
Gerrard was also amused by Holt’s column, which now looks rather cringe-worthy given the eventual result of the match.
“It’s about Livingston players and Rangers players and which team carries out the gameplan and tactics to the best of their ability,” said Gerrard [pre-match Sky Sports].
“I don’t think it’s anything to do with me and Gary Holt but if he wants to talk about it after the game we can do.”
