ANDY Halliday revealed last night that even Celtic fans have been bombarding him with praise for his performance in the Old Firm William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final. The boyhood Rangers supporter - who ended up amongst the crowd when Rangers clinched the championship title at Ibrox - has emerged as a talisman for Mark Warburton's side this season. While he gets his fair share of stick from fans of the club's city rivals, the 24-year-old said he had also been taken aback by the magnanimous words he has received from across the city in the last few weeks.
“I get more abuse," said Halliday, when asked about the differences he has found in Glasgow compared to his past life at Bradford. "But to be fair, it’s not too bad. I was actually really surprised after the Old Firm game. I’ve had a lot of Celtic fans come up to me and they’ve been full of praise, which is unusual in this city.
“I do still get a few people abusing me though," he added. "Glasgow is a goldfish bowl, and when you’re in that Old Firm cauldron, sometimes you have to take yourself away from those situations and make sure you’re indoors past 9 o’clock at night! But it’s just good to have that fixture back. It’s a worldwide spectacle and something we’ve missed the last four years.”
With the small matter of the Scottish Cup final against Hibs to come on May 21, today Rangers bring the curtain down on their domestic campaign with a visit to the Paisley 2021 stadium, three sides of which will be filled by their own fans. They have quietly gone three games without a win since that Old Firm high and - with the players set to receive four days off before starting their cup final build-up - Halliday would love to end that run right now.
While manager Mark Warburton will also take a short break, the Englishman's thoughts are already turning to next season. He says he is close to "two or three" new arrivals from the English game, but just has to "man mark" them through to formally signing for the club. While his contacts south of the border are impeccable, Warburton said he could also look to players he has come up against in the Scottish Championship as he builds for next season.
All that is in addition to Matt Crooks and Josh Windass, the two Accrington Stanley players who have already committed to join. Accrington stand on the cusp of promotion to League One and Halliday said he had already been to the Wham Stadium in the company of his best pal, and former Accrington player, Kal Naismith to check them out.
"Kal, who was previously here at Rangers, is probably one of my best pals outside football, so I have made the trip to Accrington to watch them a few times this year and to be honest both boys, Crooks and Windass, were two who probably stood out the most in that Accrington team," said Halliday. "They are certainly going to add a lot of quality to this football club. Competition is healthy and like the rest of us they are going to have to fight for their place, but they are two good players and we are lucky to have them this summer. It wasn't me who recommended them - I have not got that much pull at his club! Frank McParland, our chief scout here, has obviously done his homework and seen them close at hand, but if he had asked me I would have said it is two good football players we have got on our hands."
Windass, who attended the Old Firm match, has been in contact ever since. "I am sure he is looking forward to being involved in those next year," said Halliday. "I have just given him a few recommendations about where to go -- and more importantly where not to go!"
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