Read everything the manager had to say after a convincing Old Firm win.
Your thoughts on the game?
We took similar chances to the ones we've missed this year. it was a great strike from Todd and then I thought for the first 15 both teams played at a frantic pace, which is what this fixture is known for. It was a feisty game and I was delighted with my team, I thought their energy was really good. In this fixture for the first time this year we executed in the boxes. The outcome is we won, it’s nothing more than that, we know that but it’s a nice feeling for the players and the fans going home.
Did you learn anything new?
No, we went back to the old way a little bit with runners and pressers on the outside and Nico as the footballer in the middle. I thought Nico and Todd played well, Lunny and Ryan Jack who has only played a couple of games. It was a big performance for someone like Ridvan and for John Souttar, a clean sheet for Robbie and I thought a good game for Rabbi as well because some of those guys have had tough seasons.
Are we starting to see the best of Todd?
Yeah, I think he’s come in and you can see he’s really highly motivated to be here and is loving his time here. It’s still early in his journey but he’s doing really well and I couldn’t be happier with him. The general attitude of the boys [was good], after what has been a difficult period.
What about Nico Raskin’s performance?
Yeah and he’s still only 21, it’s the first time he’s moved out of Belgium and the football is coming fast with a lot of big games. I think we have a fine young player. He has the tenacity to win duels, can pass, and is a really good football player.
Does that send a warning message ahead of next season?
No, I don’t think they need that. I think they’ll try and improve and we will. We’ve been the team with the most to improve over the course of this season. It’s nothing more than three points today. Over the course of the season, we deserved today.
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Important for you to get that first win personally?
I’ve been here a long time in a different period so I’ve played a lot of these games, I think 16/17 games in this fixture. I was two minutes away from it in January and you think the next one will come quick. What it does is give us some oxygen going into the summer and the exciting period we’ve got now of recruiting some players in. I still think this group are capable of big performances and they put in a decent one today.
How big can the win be physiologically?
When we’ve analysed the games back we’ve had games against Celtic this season when we’ve had more possession, more chances and not taken them. Today we had slightly less because we were in a two-goal lead quite early and it was their game to chase. The game is decided by fine margins at this level between two teams, it comes down to the boxes and today at our third goal they made a big mistake in a big moment and that’s it. I don’t want to talk about what we have to do or how far it is, it’s three points today let’s take it, give the fans some oxygen and breathing space heading into the summer.
Your thoughts on John Souttar?
I’m delighted for John because of the injury hell he has gone through with his previous club and here. That has been extremely difficult and then people say things about someone without really knowing the situation. John is back, he played today, scored and that will help him after the mistake he made in the last one. I’m pleased for him with two clean sheets back to back. If he stays fit we’ve got a really good player and I think he’ll push back into the national team if he does.
Is Robby McCrorie part of your plans going forward?
100% he is. We're going to lose one keeper this summer because one is out of contract. We're not in the job of signing bad ones. you've had Allan and Jon, two Scottish internationals and Robby who has been in the group. He's been injured for four out of the six or seven months I've been here. He always knew he was getting an opportunity and all he can do is keep playing as he did today. I think that's four clean sheets on the bounce as a Rangers first-team keeper, that's not a bad record to upkeep for him, he's set a high standard for himself.
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