Scott Morrison Post Rangers

"I have been dreaming about this for the last fourteen months, so it didn't quite go as it did in my dreams but it was good to be back w

Saturday's match at Ibrox was only Scott Morrison's fourth SPL match for the Pars. This return from an injury incurred in Austria while on international duty with the Scottish Under 21 team back in August last year, was a welcome boost to the Pars. Unfortunately the return wasn't quite the dream that he had dreamt of during the last 15 months.

With the long Pars injury list the team virtually picked itself but Scott was actually selected ahead of Calum Woods as Aaron Labonte was switched to right back to replace Greg Ross who moved to right midfield in place of the injured Darren Young.

"I have been working hard and progressing each week. Robbo thought I was looking good enough to start. It was great of Robbo to have faith in me and put me back in."

Scott was very involved in the opening play and had a spectacular headed clearance from a Steven Smith cross that was fraught with danger as he directed the ball wide to the left of goal:-

"I just hit it with the top of my head and got it round the post. That is what you want, that is what you play football for - games like that in front of 50,000. I had a lot of blocks and it was encouraging, lots of tackles and you just do it without thinking. That is the best thing really. When you start thinking about 'should I do this, should I do that,' you start pulling out of tackles. You have to go in 100% not thinking about getting hurt."

In this was Scott's 44th SPL match but only his second at Ibrox, he almost the hero. He fired a shot through the penalty box that Stevie Crawford, Stephen Simmons and Sol Bamba could all have tucked past Allan McGregor:-

"It was a cross-cum-shot, I just put it back and Craw was unlucky, he just stuck a foot out. He tried to place it in the far corner but he just missed it. It was close and that was when it was 1-0 as well. It could have got us back in the game and Mason had a great effort. Craw had another great effort that the goalie did well to save - that was three good chances at 1-0 down."

22 year old Scott was delighted to have claimed a starting place before the arrival of new boss, Stephen Kenny.

"Personally I do not know very much about the new manager but Owen (Morrison) has told us a lot of positive things. He sounds great, let's hope he is the right man for the job. He has got a good cv and done well at the clubs that he has been at, that's the main thing. I don't think it mattered that we have gone for a man that the Scottish public weren't aware of. The Board obviously thought that he is the right man. Now the boys will have to play for the new manager and everyone will try to impress in training and in games. Hopefully that will bring the club on and hopefully get us back up the table.

"Today was all about putting in a good performance individually as well as a team performance. Obviously the new manager will look at tapes, so it was a big game. Next week is a massive game with Dundee United winning on Saturday. We really need to get a victory to get ourselves back up there.

"I am just delighted to be back playing and in the first team squad. It is a confidence boost that tells me I can play at first team level again after being out for so long."

Scott did retire early being subbed by Calum Woods 13 minutes from the end but that was merely because of fatigue and cramping up through tiredness. His knee withstood the pace of the game which is the next step up from his outings in the reserves. After sitting out most of last season it was great to see Scott so ably fulfilling a crucial role at Ibrox. Now he needs to make his dreams come true:-

"I have been dreaming about this for the last fourteen months, so it didn't quite go as it did in my dreams but it was good to be back with no problems."

Rangers v Dunfermline Match Report
Craig Robertson Post Match Comments
Jim Hamilton Post Match