Nicky Law stunned by fans’ reaction to draw

RANGERS midfielder Nicky Law had no idea just how demanding the Ibrox fans were until Stranraer robbed Ally McCoist’s side of their 100 per cent record.

Rangers' Nicky Law. Picture: SNS

Rangers saw a run of 20 straight wins end on Boxing Day when Jamie Longworth handed the Stair Park outfit a shock point with his last-gasp leveller. McCoist’s side took out their frustration at missing out on setting a new club record run of results by putting four past Dunfermline on Monday night. But, ahead of tonight’s League 1 visit to Airdrie, Law said: “You are told as soon as you join Rangers that the standards are set high here but you probably don’t realise just how high until you suffer a setback.

“It was like the end of the world after the Stranraer game. The stadium had been full, then it was empty. The fans showed their displeasure and rightly so. They pay their money and expect the best, but we didn’t give them that.

“It was an eye-opener for me and a lot of the other new boys. We had won every single game since we had been here. Of course it was never going to last forever but to see the reaction to a draw, not even a defeat, was incredible.

“However, we all hope we have repaid that a little with the result at Dunfermline. To win 4-0 against the side second in the league, a full-time side, was a great response.”

Airdrie go into the bottom-versus-top meeting with increased confidence after winning for the first time under manager Gary Bollan when they saw off Arbroath 2-1 on Saturday.

Despite having lost 11 goals without reply in three games against the Ibrox side this season, Bollan said: “You cannot put into words how important Saturday’s win was.

“Cutting the gap to two points at the bottom is great and our players have taken confidence from it. It had been coming as displays have been getting steadily better.”

Bollan added: “Any team in this league on any week can beat any team, outside of Rangers. However, that is not to say that Rangers cannot be beaten on the odd occasion.”

“It is an 11 versus 11 contest and we will give it our best shot.”

Jim Lister and Willie McLaren could start after turning Saturday’s game Airdrie’s way, and wide man McLaren could be key for Bollan’s men. Keighan Parker is included after agreeing a permanent deal after a three-game spell as a trialist, and Nathan Blockley is available after a one-game ban. Chris O’Neill, Grant Drummond, Grant Evans and John Boyle remain out.