The Warburton ‘failure’ who turned it around

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The Warburton ‘failure’ who turned it around

When 17-year old Danny Wilson made his European debut for Rangers against Unirea Urziceni in late 2009, it was pretty obvious to most keen-eyed observers that the lad was something special. For a defender of such tender years to look quite comfortable in the Uefa Champions League was a rare gem, and as such many fans truly believed they had the future of Rangers before them.

As history tells us, it did not quite work out like that. When EPL giants Liverpool came knocking on the Ibrox door, Wilson was seduced by the move to the English big time. It hurt many Rangers fans and made him, if not an enemy of the club, but a bit unpopular. As we know, that move did not work for Wilson, and it was not until his return to Scotland under Robbie Neilson’s impressive Hearts regime that the stopper regained some of the direction his career had started to lose.

As regular readers to the site will know, in the summer of 2015 Wilson ended up with a straight choice of Rangers or Celtic and was expected by many to opt for Parkhead. We knew otherwise, and it was not long before it was officially confirmed.

Unfortunately for Wilson, no matter how well he played at times last season, fans never truly took to him due, in part, to the manner of his departure six years earlier, and he did not enjoy the support his defensive partner Rob Kiernan got – Rob could get away with 10 howlers while Wilson was being hung out to dry for any he made.

Indeed, Wilson ended up doing a great deal of Kiernan’s work but getting little of the credit, and if anyone other than Jason Holt is thankful of the new lease of life he has been given, it is Danny Wilson.

After a month of solid displays, including that stone wall at Parkhead, fans are mellowing towards the 25 year old, and starting to see his ability for what it is. He has gained credit from many and has benefited from Rangers’ new system – with proper protection in front of him in the shape of Holt (and Toral), Wilson is able to defend without having to worry about failures alongside him.

Even young Bates is looking reasonable, if admittedly still a little green around the edges for now. But if anyone can steer a young defender, Wilson can – he has made the mistakes, he has learned from them, and can guide a junior colleague well as a result. Under Pedro Caixinha fans are finally seeing how good a defender he truly is.

His attitude too has matured. While his striking colleague Joe Garner was pretending he had been executed at the other end of the pitch, Wilson was shrugging off a forearm smash to the chops and played on with a broken and bloody nose.

His career certainly derailed and lost its way, but at age 25, Wilson may just have recaptured it at the right time for both him and Rangers, and just now, like Holt, he is a huge reason Rangers have three clean sheets in the last four matches.

Ironically, outwith the visit to Parkhead the only match Rangers have conceded in was Motherwell; the only one without Wilson.

Here is hoping Pedro agrees on his worth.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. Danny Wilson was our stand out player at Pittodrie on Sunday, he strolled through the game and was always a step ahead of Aberdeen and a step behind his team mates covering their mistakes with little or no drama's, a sure fire sign of a confident defender and one at peace with himself, I thought he was different class and I'm delighted for him, he has had a rough ride at times, well done son for hanging in there.

    Sadly there isn't very much else good about our defence, yes two young lads have come in, done really well and will revel in the experience and should stand them in good stead for the future, but they are not ready to play every week yet, so how the replacements will slot back in is the thing. As for Tavernier, well what can you say about him, joker, useless, awful are a few that spring to mind and none of them un-justified I don't think….he is that bad he makes Richard Foster look good and that's not a word of a lie…..he is absolutely shocking and the sooner we find a young lad who can play right back the better….acres of space and not a Tav in sight yet again…. come on Ped, you have been here long enough to see he is crap….get him out before he costs us even more goals we cant afford….his luck was in on Sunday….he cant be that lucky again.

    GSTQ

    • Absolutely spot on. Man is a disgrace in a rangers jersey. Now he's even at stage where he's pointing at midfielders to get back and cover for him. Holt and bates were getting dragged all over place on Sunday!!

  2. Forget about the bumping of gums at press conferences, forget about promises of a wonderful and revolutionary future plan, Forget about availability of funds, weve heard all this too many times before, while at same time having enjoyed resources a hell of a lot closer to that of the manky mob than the sheep sh****rs

    I personally will be keeping a close eye on the on-going situation re- Ped & Tav because that will be a singular and appropriate yardstick to figure out whats going on in Peds nut.

    I doubt if there is any blue nose out there who doesn't ask the serious question of " What the F**k is that prick doing" every time he abandons, neglects, totally ignores, his purpose in life which is firstly and foremostly a frigging defender and decides to go for a long stroll up the park, to no useful purpose incidentally, and leaves Wilson on his todd at the back with 2 kids beside him and a massive empty defensive hole to cover
    Does he do this to order, tactics or design or is that he simply has no clue or give a monkeys and thinks he is something special, which he certainly is not,

    I would expect any manager, who is not out their heads on crack to immediately address this pish and get rid of this 4th division circus act (along with Waggy who couldn't score in a barrel of them,)

    If he doesn't then that will be an obvious indication that he is not what we are looking for and if and when he does that will only indicate that he is awake, sober and nothing else

    Great result on Sunday if not a great performance and cant help thinking there's a wee bit of an over reaction, lets keep our feet on the deck as we have not done bugger all yet worth shouting about

    WATP

  3. A long way to go if he can get in the Scotland team then we can talk out loud good he was but big test for him and all coming up then we can shout from the roof tops.

  4. Not only Danny Wilson has turned things around. Foderingham is so much more secure in goal now that he isn't constantly playing the ball out the Warburton way. He's got the balance of pass or just clear it upfield about spot on. No more bomb scares. He's proving himself to be a great keeper.

  5. You can't argue with the recent goals against. Without Kiernan in our team, our defence improves 100 fold. Bates and Beerman have certainly rose to the challenge and I would not change our defence on Saturday against Partick, they both have earned their place with 2 clean sheets. Dodoo to start for sure in place of Garner.

    Wilson has not been an angel in our defence, he has his faults. Lovely lad, but he is slow on the turn and gives the ball away far to easily for my liking I would certainly replace him with 2 big, strong and athletic centre halves. However, he is the best we currently have, but that doesn't say much.

    Our team needs to be a lot stronger, skilful, faster and bloody taller if we are to challenge shellic next season. Anything less, then its challenging for 2nd again next year! This will take clever transfer nous without breaking our bank, only time will tell. I would however give Kenny Miller another year. He could be our super sub and would let him continue in coaching the youngsters with murty,,, He has the heart of a lion for Rangers, and would help teach new players what we are all about.

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