McCall Hails 'Gritty' Rangers

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Rangers boss Stuart McCall insists his men proved they have the bottle for the promotion fight after grabbing a 2-0 lead in their play-off semi-final duel with Hibernian.

The Ibrox manager admits he was ready to settle for a draw as his side found themselves locked in a tense first-leg battle against Alan Stubbs' side.

But a moment of brilliance from Haris Vuckic opened up the Leith side for Nicky Clark to score a minute from the break.

Kenny Miller then added a second after 63 minutes as Rangers stood strong in the face of mounting Hibs pressure.

McCall said: "Three minutes before half-time, I was probably thinking that 0-0 wouldn't be a bad result. Because Hibs showed at times what a good footballing team they are.

"We were gritty, determined - we had to defend well.

"Hibs showed what a good, good side they are tonight. I felt the first half was terrific, end to end.

"You could tell in the last 25 minutes who had been on the beach for a few days and who had been playing hard football because our energy levels dropped.

"We stuck in there, we had to defend some outstanding set-plays from Scott Allan.

"But we scored two really good goals so to come away with a 2-0, naturally I'm delighted.

"There is still a lot of hard work to go but I think the players deserve enormous credit.

"It's only half-time, but they have turned themselves around and turned themselves into a unit.

"We have had fingers pointed at us - and rightly so - for losing goals and being a bit soft.

"But that's two consecutive clean sheets against Hibs, who showed tonight they are a really good side. Credit where credit is due. Tonight was sheer guts, determination.

"Dean Shiels pulled out of training yesterday and was sent home.

"I didn't expect him to play tonight. He has come in wanting to play and we've had a couple of others with knocks and bruises. That shows the togetherness in that dressing room.

"But there is still a lot of hard, hard work to do. It puts us in a good position."

Prospective Gers chairman Dave King was at Ibrox to watch the match a day after being passed fit and proper by the Scottish Football Association.

And McCall admits he is pleased to have the Castlemilk-born millionaire back on board.

"I think for the football club it is great to have that settled now obviously, that Dave has now become the chairman," he said. "I suppose he has got a lot of work to do ahead of him."

Rangers now head to Easter Road believing they have one foot in the final with Motherwell later this month.

But Stubbs insists his Hibs side should not be written off as he angrily hit back at suggestions they do not have the stomach for the fight.

"I'm obviously disappointed," said the former Celtic defender. "I thought we played our part in the game to have come out with something.

"But, in the end, for our chances, we didn't work the keeper enough. We got into good areas, maybe rushed it a bit at times.

"I've got plenty of confidence that we can turn this around. The tie is not open.

"No, I don't feel my players were intimidated. Not at all. Not at all.

"To come here and get on the ball, play some of the football we did, that's not a team being intimidated.

"I hear all the time that Hibs are bottlers. I'm sick of answering the question, to be honest."