Rangers defender Jon Flanagan says squad were in pain after derby loss.
Don’t let it be said that professional footballers don’t care about results. Rangers full-back Jon Flanagan has told the Herald that the Gers players took the Old Firm defeat hard.
While Flanagan did not feature in Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Celtic, the Rangers defender acknowledges the pain it has caused.
The defender returned to the Rangers side this week with Borna Barisic (injured) and Andy Halliday (suspension) unavailable.
Flanagan said: “Everyone’s been a bit down on the dumps since the Celtic defeat, everyone’s been a bit hurt by it. But, the only way to put things right was to beat Hearts and get the three points.
“The manager drilled that into us and the lads performed. It was about pride against Hearts and giving something back to the fans. We had to put things right and get the win.”
The victory was important for Rangers to get back on track instantly.
With the team mentally disappointed after defeat to Celtic, too much time to dwell on it could have worked against them.
Flanagan coming in as a fresh face seemed to help, and the defender has given his own Rangers career a boost.
Next up for Rangers is a trip to Motherwell on Sunday at 12.30pm.
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