Rangers star Andy Halliday repaid the faith shown in him by Steven Gerrard.
Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday has had one of the football year’s most remarkable comeback stories.
Months on from being hauled off in the Scottish Cup semi-final to jeers from the opposition, Halliday was last night starring at El Madrigal for Rangers in the Europa League.
Probably not even Halliday himself would have believed it. Manager Steven Gerrard did, and his faith in the Rangers midfielder is paying off.
Halliday was not spectacular in Rangers 2-2 away draw with Villarreal, he was just solid.
And that is exactly what Steven Gerrard asked of the Rangers’ supporting midfielder.
Halliday made 35 passes and completed 91 per cent of them.
This was the highest pass completion rate of any Rangers player who completed 90 minutes.
It even matched Villarreal star Santi Cazorla, who also completed 91 per cent of his passes.
Halliday contributed defensively too, winning three tackles, and making two interceptions. These were both higher than any other Rangers midfielder.
The oft derided star is proving himself as a dependable squad member, and while he lacks the creativity required to help win a game, Halliday did enough to help Rangers avoid defeat, and sometimes that can be very valuable.
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