Rangers earned an excellent 2-2 draw away at Villarreal.
Steven Gerrard’s summer shake-up of his Rangers squad saw 15 new players come to Ibrox, while 25 players left the club on a permanent basis or indeed on loan. But one has remained despite being told he could go.
The Daily Mail claimed in the summer that midfield duo Jason Holt and Andy Halliday were surplus to requirements at Ibrox under Gerrard, and were allowed to leave the club this summer.
That was back in June, and Holt has since joined former Rangers hothead Joey Barton, who has taken over English League One side Fleetwood Town in his first foray into management.
But Halliday, 26, remained. Since then, the former Middlesbrough midfielder has made nine appearances in all competitions for Rangers this season – including a stunning display on Thursday night.
Rangers defied the odds to secure a crucial point in Group G of the Europa League, by pegging back Spanish giants Villarreal on two occasions to draw 2-2 at the El Madrigal Stadium.
Goals from Scott Arfield and Kyle Lafferty earned the Gers a point, but Halliday was absolutely crucial in place of the injured Ryan Jack at the base of Rangers’ midfield.
His excellent display follows a terrific performance on Saturday afternoon that saw Rangers annihilate Dundee 4-0 at Ibrox, pushing them up to fourth in the Scottish Premiership.
Halliday’s excellent form is not the only thing that is making him vitally important to Rangers at the moment. His versatility, which allows him to play at left-back, holding midfield or in a box-to-box midfield role makes him perfect as cover.
It has been a complete turn around for the midfielder. Going from being unwanted by Gerrard, the Scottish star has since recovered his Rangers place with aplomb and is likely to remain an important part of the side for the rest of the season.
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