'Crazy, unbelievable' - Rangers man slaughtered for what he did vs Motherwell

11/03/2024 12:30 PM

Rangers finally got the job done against Motherwell and are safely in the Premier Sports Cup final.

Celtic lie in wait for the December showpiece back at Hampden after Philippe Clement’s side showed the resilience he needed from them to come from behind.

Andy Halliday looked poised to stun his former club by beating Jefte to a cross ball to prod past Jack Butland.

Cyriel Dessers, who had earlier been guilty of poor play and a missed chance, found an equaliser early in the second half and Nedim Bajrami showed quality to score an 80th minute winner.

It was still far from vintage Rangers but at least the players showed a side to their game to come back and win while under pressure.

• READ MORE: Rangers player ratings vs Motherwell: 3/10 flop should be dropped with 8/10 trio a level above

Jefte Rangers defending slammed

For the opening goal, Seddon’s cross was inviting but Halliday was only able to get on the end of it when Jefte seemingly failed to notice his presence and ran away from the ball, likely expecting Jack Butland to come and collect.

It looked a strange piece of defending but the only explanation can be that the full-back didn’t realise the former Gers star was even there.

Michael Stewart was on co-commentary for Premier Sports and couldn’t believe what he was seeing, branding it ‘criminal’ defending and ‘unbelievable’.

He said: “You can see Tavernier and Butland are deep in conversation, they’re pointing here and there. There’s big concerns.

“Andy Hallliday just showing the desire. It’s Maswanishe over the top, simple defending. This is an unbelievable ball but what is Jefte doing at the back post? That is absolutely criminal defending.

“This is a great ball in from Seddo, Jefte is running away and Halliday just wants to get in there and get on the end of it. Incredible how the defender, rather than filling round and recognising the danger, decides to run way. Unbelievable.”

Jefte Rangers defending ‘craziest ever’

Stewart wasn’t alone in his assessment of the goal conceded.

Former Rangers right-back Alan Hutton was baffled but did try to explain what he thought was going through the Brazilian’s mind.

But he did say it was the ‘craziest defending’ he’s ever seen.

Hutton said: “I genuinely don’t think he’s aware of Andy Halliday’s run at all. He expects Butland to come out and collect the ball and then start the attack.

“He’s looking for the wide man. His eyes are not even trained on him (Halliday). That’s the danger, right in front of you. He’s actually looking away, he’s no clue he is there.

“His first thought is ‘can I break away?’ That’s crazy. That’s the craziest defending I’ve ever seen.”