The New Durrant

[ian1964 10,780]

By ANDY GORAM

 

 

 

THERE were times when it seemed all hope was lost.

When the noose was tightening and the life was draining from the club.

 

Dark days when the Rangers fans desperately searched for that little chink of light.

 

I wonâ??t lie, I feared the worst.

 

Through a summer of uncertainty I began to wonder if there would be a Rangers, much less a team for Ally McCoist to field.

 

So I canâ??t tell you of my relief when the season finally got underway and the focus was back on football.

 

Moreover, I canâ??t tell you of my joy when I clapped eyes on little Barrie McKay for the very first time.

 

Here, at last, was that little chink of light every Gers fan had been looking for.

 

A bundle of energy with great poise, balance and skill.

 

I swear it was like watching Ian Durrant back in the heart of the Rangers midfield.

 

I know there have been comparisons drawn between Barrie and Barry Ferguson. I can see where people are coming from with that. But for me McKay is far more direct than Ferguson was.

 

Sure, Fergie used to pop up in the opposition box from time to time, but he was much more effective when deployed in that deeper role.

 

McKay, it seems, just loves driving at the heart of defences.

 

Rangers fans of a certain age will forever remember the goal Durranty scored against Celtic at Ibrox. I think it was season 1987-88 and he played a terrific one-two with Davie Cooper before burying the ball past Pat Bonner.

 

Well, when I watch young McKay, thatâ??s exactly what I see. Itâ??s hard to believe the kid is only 17.

 

I was playing golf with Coisty and Durranty last week. They couldnâ??t speak highly enough of him.

 

But what I found most interesting was the point they made about the other kids coming through.

 

It seems there are four or five ready to follow McKay into the first team. Guys like Lewis MacLeod, Andrew Mitchell and Kai Naismith who are on the fringes already.

 

And it seems there are more to follow.

 

If anything good has come out of this administration and liquidation hell itâ??s that the kids are going to get their chance.

 

Coisty has great faith in them and for the youngsters, who better to learn from? In McCoist and Durrant you have two guys steeped in the history and tradition of the club.

 

They are determined to restore Rangers to its former glory and if they do it with home-grown kids, all the better I say.

 

At least these boys want to play for Gers.

 

All summer long weâ??ve watched as player after player quit the club. Guys who were supposed to be loyal to McCoist and Rangers turning their back and walking away in the clubâ??s hour of need.

 

Good riddance to the lot of them.

 

Kids like McKay and MacLeod are playing without fear. They are lighting up Ibrox without a care in the world.

 

They are just thrilled to be in a Light Blue jersey and I reckon thatâ??s reward in itself for McCoist.

 

And, bear in mind, when Rangers make it back to the SPL, these teenagers will have three or four more years experience under their belts.

 

Itâ??s been a horrendous time for Rangers fans, but with the football season underway and these kids making their mark on the park, there is something to smile about at last.

 

And perhaps it will stop the critics from having a pop at Murray Park.

 

People were looking for results overnight. Others were just looking for a reason to be critical.

 

But in the past few years the club have brought through the likes of Alan Hutton, Allan McGregor, Charlie Adam, Chris Burke, Danny Wilson, Ross McCormack, Gregg Wylde, Jamie Ness, Rhys McCabe, Ross Perry, Kane Hemmings and Darren Cole. Now kids like McKay, MacLeod and Mitchell are coming good.

 

It will be some time before we can say the good times are back.

 

But one thing is for sure, under McCoist, Rangers are at last on the road to recovery.

 

 

 

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/leaguedivision3/4501941/The-new-durrant.html#ixzz24QNRgSAp

[Gribz 966]

Maybe a bit early for the comparisons considering Fleck was the new Rooney at one stage, but McKays goal against Peterhead was so Durrant-esk it was like watching an old video.

 

Goram makes a good point that when we are back in the SPL the likes of McKay will be 20 and 3 years experienced, that is only a good thing. Having McCulloch, Black and Shiels around them will bring them on a bit, those 3 have to pretty much look after the younger ones at this stage.

[GovanAllan 0]

Way too early to start this pish, Ally would be wise to give Sir Alex a phone and ask him how he handled Giggs, Scholes & Beckham.

[andy steel 0]

Just clicking 'agree' doesn't suggest how strongly I agree with GA's point above.

 

I do get a bit narky with Goram poncing on the club like this. Doesn't he have a real job?

[amms 0]

When Durrant broke into the team who was he 'the new', I forget?

 

Ever since Billy McNeil described Steve Fulton as being the new Baggio* and made himself look like a tit and Fulton, an SPL standard midfielder, almost collapse under the burden of expectation, the tabloids love a good comparison, the harder to live up to the better.

 

Describing any player as the 'new Durrant' for someone of my age (early 40s) is very emotive. Durrant was the only shining light in the bleak final Wallace seasons. I'd known my club to produce players like Ally Dawson, Dave McPherson and Kenny Black, other clubs produced the skilful geniuses, not Rangers. Then a teenage Durrant appeared. As local as it was possible to be, with the physique of a female long distance runner and flowing curly hair that looked like he should be one of the Pointer Sisters. Durrant gave me hope, when there really wasn't much, we were the fifth best team in Scotland at that time.

 

Goram is an arse, he should know better, but perhaps the comparison to Durrant isn't so far off the mark in terms of the hope he might give our younger fans.

 

* For any children reading Roberto Baggio was an Italian genius from the 80s and 90s, go look him up on You-Tube, he's worth it.

[GovanAllan 0]

Always thought Durrant reminded me of Bobby Russell.

 

Just in case anybody thinks I don't rate McKay, when he came on for Sheils last weekend I actually moved to the edge of my seat. This lad has got it all but he's 17 and the fact we are in the basement of Scottish football might just be a blessing in disguise for him and the rest of the Rangers young team.

Edited August 24, 2012 by GovanAllan

[Bluedell 5,785]

Durrant was the only shining light in the bleak final Wallace seasons.

 

I felt Derek Ferguson was every bit as good a prospect at that point.

[andy steel 0]

The great lost player of Scottish football! Imagine how much Bobby Russell would cost you nowadays. A man out of his time, sadly.

[amms 0]

I felt Derek Ferguson was every bit as good a prospect at that point.

 

Ferguson had been hyped, he'd played in a League Cup (maybe?) game at 16 or so and a lot was expected of him, he was never out of the Rangers News. He looked good I agree, but Durrant just sort of appeared from nowhere, and his attacking play got you off your feet. Ferguson was very creative but he played a deeper role.

[amms 0]

The great lost player of Scottish football! Imagine how much Bobby Russell would cost you nowadays. A man out of his time, sadly.

 

I played in a match with Bobby Russell about five or six years ago now. He couldn't run but he was still the best player on the park, it was wonderful to see him up so close.