The dust has settled following Rangers’ defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Celtic on Saturday, and manager Pedro Caixinha has few positives he took away from the encounter.
One of such is the promising quality of young defender Ross McCrorie, who stood in for the injured Bruno Alves.
The 19-year-old was only making his second competitive appearance for the Gers, but he nevertheless put in an outstanding and composed performance beyond his years.
Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha was impressed with McCrorie’s outing, and did sing his praises after the clash, telling the press: “He is a player I don’t have doubts about. I like Ross a lot and he did really well. He didn’t shake, he didn’t fail the test. That’s his mentality. He did his job.”
McCrories came on as a substitute in midweek’s League Cup win over Partick Thistle to replace the injured Portuguese international, and his full debut, while marred with a 2-0 loss that now leaves Rangers trailing Celtic by 8 points, went well.
Right-back James Tavernier shares the same sentiment with the Portuguese boss, weighing in his own verdict of McCrories thus: “I thought young Ross had a cracking game for his Old Firm debut.
“He showed great signs of being a promising young player. As long as he keeps his head down and works hard, he’ll be a cracking centre back.”
The performance of the Scotland youth international also drew plaudits from fans on Twitter, and here are some of the best reactions.
“One of the best centre-halves in history”.
Ross McCrorie has received some big praise for his Old Firm debut.https://t.co/1vScSd6f93 pic.twitter.com/k4xQppwQoz
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 24, 2017
Ross McCrorie has been class ??
— The Famous (@TheFamousRFC) September 23, 2017
Ross mccrorie hold your head up high, absolute outstanding!! Done yourself proud
— Craig Fisher (@CF__72) September 23, 2017
FT: Rangers 0-2 Celtic
Ross McCrorie, 19, best Rangers player on the park. That’s all we’ll say on that.
— Ibrox Loyal (@IL_Official) September 23, 2017
One player that impressed me for Rangers yesterday was young Ross McCrorie. Scotland need centre-halves so he could be one for the future.
— Jozo Simunovic CSC (@BenTheTim) September 24, 2017
Ross McCrorie. Looked mature well beyond his years in his first Rangers start. pic.twitter.com/CaRw01Jiue
— TheSPFLRadar (@TheSPFLRadar) September 24, 2017
Should Ross Mccrorie start against Hamilton on Friday
— Ben McColl (@BenMcColl1972) September 24, 2017
Ross McCrorie (19) was impressive in the Old Firm derby.
A performance which belied his inexperience, which says a lot about his character. pic.twitter.com/aOH9u8u51K
— Scouted Football (@ScoutedFtbl) September 24, 2017
