The pre-match talk, for many, ahead of the Hibernian game in the Challenge Cup circulated around Scott Allan – not that it hasn’t since either, culminating in his transfer requested being handed in – but this was, afterall, Mark Warburton’s competitive debut as Rangers manager.
After a slow start it was quite a debut in the end wasn’t it, for him and several of our players!
Warburton knew Hibernian wasn’t an easy place to go, and despite the six-two win he stands by this. That result obviously pleases him no end but he was happy what he learned about his players and what’s more he’s told rangers.co.uk there’s still plenty more to come.
‘Honestly, we know it’s a tough place to come to and we know the quality Hibs possess. The result is pleasing of course for the fans and the tremendous support they gave us and the backing they gave us. But first half wasn’t good enough.
‘What I’ve learned from this group of players in the short period of time is their honesty and they recognise that the first half was way below the required level.
‘We had a good reaction but there is still a lot more to come from what is a talented group of players.’
Having fallen behind early on, and looking like Hibernian could have added more, we might have crumbled but debutants James Tavernier, the brace from Martyn Waghorn and Andy Halliday along with Kenny Miller’s two from the bench turned it around.
Warburton’s admitted he wasn’t happy with the opening half an hour but when we started playing the football he demands we do, and knows we can, we got going and didn’t look back.
It’s a squad game for the Gers manager so he’s praised all that did play a part in this at Easter Road but also knows some weren’t even involved in this squad and are yet to come in, adding.
‘That was important and that was the message at half time. When we do do what we do well we will be in good shape, and second half the subs made a difference and it is about the squad.
‘It is not about the 11 or the 14 today. Young Tom Walsh was the 19th man but it was a key role for him to play as well.
‘Zaliukas wasn’t here and a couple more – Ryan Hardie has travelled to Ireland – but it will be about the squad of players taking us through what will be a long season.’
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