Rangers held Celtic to a 1-1 draw this weekend and their defence looked good without the suspended 26-year-old.
Rangers headed to Celtic Park on Sunday with neutrals and Bhoys fans alike tipping Graeme Murty’s side for another hammering, so when Clint Hill proved the unlikeliest of goal-scoring heroes with a late equaliser, you could sense the relief and the passion in the Gers’ fans celebrations.
But will Rangers’ latest result mean it is hard for a much-maligned player to get back into the starting XI under new boss Pedro Caixinha?
Rob Kiernan was suspended for Sunday’s Old Firm clash, meaning Danny Wilson stepped in, and Rangers’ oft-criticised back-line held firm against a Celtic attack that had scored for fun for much of the campaign.
There is no doubt Brendan Rodgers’ side were off the boil, but Rangers came away from Celtic Park with a point, a goal and a new found optimism for the challenges ahead, while the partnership of Hill and Wilson worked well.
Caixinha will have his own ideas about who to play and where to play them, and this summer should see plenty of new arrivals. But given how Rangers played without Kiernan, the 26-year-old will have to go all out in training to ensure his stint on the side-lines is as short as possible.
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