Manager Mark Warburton has praised Rangers’ patience and perseverance in taking the one nil victory over Dundee at the weekend.
Hosting the side at Ibrox for the game, Rangers secured the late one nil victory with Harry Forrester coming off the bench in the second half and finding the net two minutes into full time stoppage time.
Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media earlier this afternoon, Warburton explained that whilst the winner may have been a long time coming, he felt the side deserved credit for continuing to plug away and wear down the visitors to make the telling breakthrough.
‘It was a good performance, and stats-wise, I think we had 700-plus passes, we dominated with 25-odd chances and, of course, the frustration is we weren`t out of sight earlier. I`m delighted for the boys for their perseverance – they stuck to the game plan and didn`t lose patience. They understand the crowd were becoming restless as they want to win the game of football, but I thought they boys were excellent and the rewards came in the last minute.’
Speaking more about the crowd, he went on to say.
‘I hope the crowd understand – and the crowd have been fantastic – that when we have so much possession, we are working the opposition and working them and working them to the point where they can`t kick the ball, and they just try and clear their lines and we pick up again. What we have to do is hopefully get the early goal to ease any nerves and frustration, but keep working them, as a mistake will come and all we`re looking for is half a yard, and if we can exploit that opportunity then all well and good. We talk about good players, and we tell them they wouldn`t be here unless they were good players, and to enjoy being good players, and I am delighted for them to get their rewards on Saturday.’
Warburton went on to pick out Barrie McKay for his performance on the day having come off the bench, and there was obviously praise for the other two substitutes on the day as well.
‘Joe came on in a wide area, and Harry, likewise to Barrie, has been frustrated, but he`s such a good ball player, such a clever player, and he showed his quality again on Saturday. You saw before where he won the free-kick after turning the centre-half, and he`s clever is Harry. He trained outstandingly well again this morning and he`s a real, smart player. He sees the picture early, gets himself in dangerous areas and is not afraid to take risks in the final third. All credit to him for a difficult finish. And Joe, who is more of a central striker, he came on out on the right, found himself over on the left, and delivered great ball in for Harry. I`m delighted with the substitutions and the team effort in general. David and I just spoke to them in our analysis there about how well they played, and I hope they recognise how well they played.’
Josh Windass also came in for praise from the gaffer, with Warburton saying he believed he’d put in his best performance yet since coming to the club – and confirmed he was substituted in the 65th minute because he’d picked up a knock.
‘Josh Windass is a young player who did exceptionally well – and I feel played his best half of football for Rangers in my mind. But for one, he had a kick on the ankle which stopped him training this morning, and I hope very much the crowd realise there was a reason why we were taking off a player who had been very effective up to that point. For young players, when fatigue kicks in, that`s when they get the niggling injuries – hamstrings and whatever else have interrupted his performances for Rangers. We have got to do the right thing for our young players and you look at the demands on their shoulders. Last year he was playing for Accrington and this year he is playing in front of 50,000 at Ibrox. The demands on such young shoulders are extensive and we have got to look after our players. I hope very much the crowd see why we did it, and also see the boys who came on had a good impact.’
With McKay replacing him, Warburton went on to say of him.
‘Barrie came on first and was superb. He drove us up the pitch and was bright, full of energy, was clever and looked to move the ball. Barrie is such a talented player, and you know what I think of Barrie McKay and how good a career he can have ahead of him. But he has had a lot of games with Rangers, been away with Scotland, and these couple of weeks have helped him to recharge the batteries. It`s a challenge for a young, attacking player like Barrie for his defensive responsibilities, and when the ball breaks down where does he need to be and what areas he needs to fill.’
Adding.
‘It`s making sure if a player does that they understand the role they need to fill, but he can play wide left, wide right, number eight or number 10, and he has that flexibility we have talked about so much in the past. I`m delighted for him to see him that way, and credit to him for working hard and I think he will have a very big career ahead of him. He looked very bright and played in the 20s game last week and looked really good. He has a great work ethic and great commitment, and he took that into the game on Saturday.’
Onto Partick Thistle now and hopefully back to back victories once more.
