Andy Halliday is happy with his Rangers return so far

ANDY HALLIDAY is sure of a couple of things.

He’s delighted to be back at Rangers – and mightily relieved that Pedro Caixinha is no longer the manager.

But he admits he’s really not sure what his best position is, and finding the right role could be key to being a long-term success at Ibrox.

The 26-year-old is still attempting to regain his match fitness after an unproductive loan spell with Gabala in Azerbaijan.

Halliday has made four substitute appearances and started one match since returning to the club in January.

He isn’t surprised that reclaiming a regular starting spot is taking time.

“I knew I would have to feel my way back in,” he said.

“You’ve got no given right to come back after an unsuccessful loan spell and expect to play much game time.

“But I am pretty content with how it’s gone so far.

“I spoke to the manager and he knows I am probably a little bit behind the group in terms of fitness and sharpness.

“I’ve managed to come on in a few games, started against Fraserburgh and got a 45-minute cameo at left-back against Partick Thistle as well.”

There’s certainly no doubt about Halliday’s versatility. It could certainly be useful towards the end of a campaign when injuries and suspensions begin to mount up.

But not having a specialist position can also leave a player on the sidelines for long periods.

Halliday admitted: “I’d never complain about where I play – I’m just happy to play.

“Honestly, I’d never played holding midfielder before so I can’t sit here and say it’s my position. But I was happy to play it for Rangers.

“It’s not my most natural position. but I’m not sure what is.

“Even at Middlesbrough, I played a few different places – left-back, on the wing, further forward in midfield. So I’m a jack of all trades probably, master of none!

“Being versatile is good because you can bring a lot to the team,
but sometimes a bit of stability helps.

“I’d never say I should be playing here or there.”

One thing Halliday does have is good communication with Graeme Murty. He certainly couldn’t say that about Pedro Caixinha.

He went on: “Pretty early on in Pedro’s tenure, I knew that my immediate future wasn’t going to be at Rangers.

“During that period he made it as difficult as possible for me to enjoy being here.

“I tried to enjoy it every day because I am lucky to be here, but it got to a difficult period and that’s why I went on loan.

“I could no longer stay and fight to be a part of his plans.

“I don’t think the previous manager and I had a general hatred for each other. It just wasn’t a great working relationship.

“He made it clear. One thing I will say about him is that he was honest.

“He made it clear my future wasn’t at the club. That was all we really spoke about at that point.

“It was up to me to work hard for my own personal benefit and I knew I would need to go on loan.

“I don’t want to talk too much about the previous manager.

“I will behave in the way I think a Rangers man should. I wish him all the best.”

Halliday watched Rangers lose to Hamilton Accies on his phone in an Azerbaijan hotel room back in November.

He hopes today’s game against the Premiership strugglers at the Superseal Stadium goes a lot better.

He said: “The defeat to Hamilton at home was one of the games that was hugely disappointing.

“Look at our record at Ibrox this season – disappointing in general.

Hamilton did what they set out to do – frustrate Rangers and get 1-0 up.

“When teams go 1-0 up, they’ve got something to hold on to and fight for the rest of the game.”