Glasgow Rangers could only draw on Sunday, but the Ibrox side were grateful to Andy Halliday for ensuring that the scoreline was not more disappointing.
There have been a couple of times over the previous 18 months when Andy Halliday’s days as a Rangers player have looked numbered. This time one year ago, the midfielder was edging towards the end of a hugely disappointing loan spell.
In his first two seasons as a Rangers player, Halliday made 90 appearances in all competitions. However, Pedro Caixinha appeared set to call time on his Ibrox career as he was loaned out to Azerbaijani side Gabala last summer and largely forgotten about as he struggled for game-time.
The deal was terminated prematurely and he returned to make a number of appearances for Graeme Murty’s side. Unfortunately for the midfielder, the most notable moment of that run of games came when he was substituted during the first-half of the Scottish Cup semi-final and could not hide his frustration on a dark day for the Gers.
Many would have therefore expected Steven Gerrard to waste little time in moving the 27-year-old off the books in the summer following his appointment.
But not only did Gerrard quickly establish Halliday as an important part of his plans, but at the weekend, it was Halliday who came to Rangers’ rescue to spare some of their blushes at Dundee.
The former Bradford City man has become Rangers’ ultimate utility man, filling in in defence or midfield and rarely letting the side down with his performances.
On Sunday, it was his stunning free-kick that saw the Gers equalise against Dundee. Halliday unleashed his attempt into the top corner, taking advantage of some bizarre positioning from the goalkeeper.
And one image taken as he is running away celebrating perhaps highlights how his turnaround is now complete. The midfielder has sent the travelling Rangers fans into a frenzy and he is clearly enjoying taking the plaudits as he points to the name on the back of his shirt…
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