ANDY HALLIDAY lived the dream as he lifted a league title, won a cup, starred in an Old Firm success and scored in a Scottish Cup final last season. It is only this term where the midfielder feels he should be judged as a Rangers player, though.
In a campaign that saw Mark Warburton’s side turn in a series of superb showings, Halliday was one of the most consistent performers for the Gers. He was a mainstay of the team that clinched the Championship crown and Petrofac Training Cup, a stand-out against Celtic at Hampden. His terrific strike in the final against Hibernian would ultimately count for nothing as a campaign to remember came to an end that is best forgotten at Ibrox.
Now, the arrivals of Joey Barton, Niko Kranjcar and Jordan Rossiter have given Halliday a challenge that he must rise to if he is to be as influential in Light Blue second time around.
"That's to be expected. It's what it's all about to play for Rangers Football Club,” he said. “I have to admit I probably shouldn't be judged as a football player on what I did last year.
“It's not a league that we, as a group of players, should have been playing. This is what it's all about, playing for Rangers. The Premiership is where we are going to get judged - and rightly so. There's great competition for places and we are aiming to challenge for the title. Rangers are back where we belong and it's time to be judged on that. Rangers fans will never settle for second place.
“That's taking nothing away from the fact that Celtic are the favourites for the title. But that's just the expectations at this club. We are going to be judged on whether we can win the league. It will be hard. Celtic are a strong squad and they are going to strengthen under a very good manager. But we are confident in our ability that we can challenge for the title.”
It was a case of mission accomplished for Halliday and his team-mates last season as Rangers clinched their return to the top flight at the second time of asking.
Boss Warburton has spent the last fortnight putting his squad through their paces in Charleston as the countdown continues to the new campaign. It is one that will undoubtedly be tougher but Halliday knows it would also be an even more important triumph if the Premiership silverware could be placed in the Ibrox trophy cabinet.
"It was a pretty ideal first season at Rangers,” he said. “I played a lot of games, whereas in the past few years I had been unfortunate in picking up a few niggly injuries and a few little bit more serious ones as well. Last season was big for me because I went through the whole campaign without missing a game through injury. We got two trophies and I hit my personal target of 10 goals.
“We also beat our rivals in my first taste of the Old Firm match. So it was a good season. But this year is what it's all about to be a Rangers player. Yes, [Kranjcar and Barton are] two big signings and two big CVs. I've seen first hand the ability Niko has brought to training but Josh Windass and Clint (Hill) are good signings too. We are all pulling together to get that 55. We are all enjoying it and looking forward to the new season.”
The coming weeks will see Rangers kick-off their bid for Betfred Cup glory and host Premier League side Burnley, but it is the Premiership opener against Hamilton on Saturday, August 6 that is the circled date on the Ibrox calendar.
After four years in the lower leagues, and through all their trials and tribulations on and off the park, Rangers are back where they feel they belong once again. It is a fresh challenge, but the old pressure remains.
"If we win it then it would be big because we've been away from the top flight for some time,” Halliday said. “But it's not going to trump the likes of European Cup Winners Cup win in 1972. But it will be a massive occasion if it happens, just like it was a massive occasion last season when we got back to the Premiership.
"People are looking forward to the new season. I know Rangers fans who really enjoyed going down through the divisions because they got to see Rangers in a lot of stadiums they were not used to seeing. But after four years they were all sick of it.
“They are glad to be back and it's a big year ahead. The fans won't accept us just competing next season - but we won't settle for that either. Our main aim is competing for the title. It will be difficult and Celtic are favourites but we have got enough quality to do it."
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