Motherwell defeat paved way for Andy Halliday's dream move

Andy Halliday joined his boyhood heroes last summer. Picture: SNS

The lifelong supporter stood among the Light Blue Legions as the Steelmen ran out 6-1 aggregate winners, meaning another season in the Championship and a complete change in regime.

That proved to be beneficial for Halliday, who became one of Mark Warburton’s first  signings and now he wants Rangers to make a statement of intent today on his return to Lanarkshire. The 24-year-old said: “I was at the play-off game at Fir Park two years ago. It was a big low point for the club, more so the players who were at the club at the time.

“From a selfish point of view, maybe I wouldn’t have been at the club had they won promotion back. You never know, the club might not have looked at me had they got up. The club has been able to totally rebuild and gave me the chance to play for the club I’ve always wanted to play for.

“I was disappointed we didn’t win that day but it gave me my chance. I probably knew I had a better chance of joining Rangers after we’d lost. It was mixed emotions I guess.

“I felt for Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace who are still here and maybe that result will be at the back of their minds as they look for mini revenge.”

Warburton has revealed that the game comes too soon for Joey Barton but Niko Krancjar could make an appearance as he confirmed that a deal to sign former Leicester City striker Joe Dodoo should be completed in the next couple of days.

He said: “Joe is a mobile  striker, he is a technical striker, he is one of those players who can pull something out of the hat.

“He can look quiet and quite subdued and then he can beat a couple of players, drop a shoulder and curl it in the top corner.”