Ex-Rangers striker Gary McSwegan praises Michael O’Halloran

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The forward has been much more impressive recently after struggling to make an impact for Mark Warburton’s Glasgow Rangers side.

Former Rangers striker Gary McSwegan has praised the way that Michael O’Halloran has responded since coming back into Mark Warburton’s team and suggested that the forward could have been Celtic’s nightmare had he played against them, the Evening Times reports.

The 25-year-old has struggled to make a major impression since his move to Ibrox in January. After 19 league appearances, he has scored just three times.

Rangers’ Michael O’Halloran

After a handful of substitute appearances in the Scottish Premiership this season, O’Halloran went a month without first-team action following the narrow defeat to Aberdeen in September.

However, he made his first league start of the season against St Johnstone last week and followed that up by keeping his place for the win over Kilmarnock on Saturday.

And McSwegan has praised O’Halloran’s attitude following his return to the team.

Rangers’ Michael O’Halloran (R) in action with St Mirren’s Kyle McAllister

“He’s done really well to keep his head up and battle away. The manager will have seen that and said: ‘That’s great.’ It’s just what he’s looking for in his players. He has had no qualms putting him in,” he said, as reported by the Evening Times.

“I think Michael can get an extra five or 10 per cent out of guys like Barrie McKay and Martyn Waghorn. They will up their game with him there as well.”

One of the games that the forward missed was the League Cup semi-final clash with Celtic at Hampden Park. In his absence, the Light Blues fell to a 1-0 defeat in a game which the Hoops controlled the majority of.

Rangers manager Mark Warburton

But McSwegan believes that had he played, O’Halloran could have made an impact against their Old Firm rivals.

“I saw him play a lot at St Johnstone. He’s a nightmare for defenders because he has so much raw pace. That is an excellent asset to have. I am bit surprised he hasn’t played more – especially against Celtic,” he added.

While Warburton will surely not entertain the idea of what may have happened had O’Halloran played against Celtic last time, he will be hoping that the forward makes the most of his chance so that he cannot be left out the next time they meet.