Steven Gerrard made three changes from his team that beat Hamilton 4-1 in the Scottish Cup at the weekend with one enforced change, one to accommodate the return of a key player and one tactical, it was the enforced change that weakened the team the most and riled the Gers support.
Borna Barisic had been deemed 50/50 in the pre-match build up but the Rangers gaffer decided it wasn’t worth risking him with the return of the Europa League on the horizon and the visit of Livingston on Saturday, hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Andy Halliday came on for Barisic against Hamilton and he deputised once again as he looked to replicate the productivity of the 14 assist left-back, he got ample opportunity to attack down Kilmarnock’s right-wing but failed to make any impact.
George Edmundson made way for the return of Niko Katic with the Croatian’s superior aerial ability giving him the nod against the passing skills of the Englishman – ironically it was Katic losing a header that led to Killie’s winner.
The biggest news of the night was Ryan Jack going straight into the starting line-up to replace Steven Davis following his recent calf injury in an attacking midfield with Joe Aribo and Scott Arfield.
Do you want Andy Halliday to be released in the summer?
Yes
No
Rangers fans took to Twitter after the match and, once again, Halliday was the focus of much of the fans frustrations following the 2-1 defeat.
Halliday was woeful last night. Lazy, no bravery in possession, terrible reading of the game. Looked like a guy who had won a game playing for Rangers in a club raffle.
— John Webster 🏴 (@johnauldwebster) February 13, 2020
Halliday ain’t a leftback either nowhere near o’Donnell for the first goal
— Gary Fraser (@garyfraser01) February 13, 2020
25 million spent, 31 players signed and you’ve got Kamberi, Stewart and Halliday running about. Now that’s what I call bang average.
— Royalnavy2704⚓ (@unbawmcgaw) February 13, 2020
Also, we have two ready made players that obviously aren’t as good but know the system. Yet we persist with Halliday or Flanagan, who lets be honest, won’t be with us beyond the end of the season. I don’t see how much more we can be let down by the youths.
— SPK (@esspekay) February 13, 2020
Was it just me or did Halliday spend the entire game passing sideways, or back to McGreggor. Then stand waveing his arm about, telling other players to do stuff, like he knew what he was doing.
Not blaming him for the loss, but he contributed nothing last night
— Matthew Kenny (@MattRonKen) February 13, 2020
Arguably 2 of the most important players to how we want to play, yet look at the backup we have for them? Halliday and Flanagan, neither of whom are Rangers class.
Tav & Borna’s importance isnt a new thing, why our manager failed to prepare for them being missing is strange.
— Styoort. (@StyoorT) February 13, 2020
Halliday should be making the most of every appearance as each one could be his last in a Light Blue shirt with his contract expiring at the end of the season, performances like the one against Kilmarnock do little to suggest he will still be at the club beyond the summer.