Rangers boss Mark Warburton insists deadline-day signing Michael O’Halloran will only get better after a quiet Light Blues debut at Stark’s Park.
The former St Johnstone man was given a 26-minute run-out off the bench during Gers’ narrow 1-0 win at Raith Rovers just 24 hours after sealing his £500,000 switch from Perth.
But apart from one darting run and cross, there was not much to get excited about as Warburton’s team struggled after the break.
The manager believes his new capture will quickly get to grips with the demands of playing for the Ladbrokes Championship leaders.
He said: “It was a long day for Michael yesterday and he hadn’t trained with us yet.
“He met the boys for the first time today so I’m sure he was happy to get a football kit on again.
“He will train with us now, get used to the way we want to play and the demands we want from him.
“There will be more to come from him.”
Gers dominated the opening period but had to wait until a minute before half-time for their opener.
Andy Halliday tucked away the winner from James Tavernier’s cut-back as he marked his return from suspension with his sixth goal of the campaign.
The midfield anchorman who was given a rare run-out in a more advanced position was sent off against Morton last week after collecting a controversial second yellow for aiming a first-pump at the Cappielow support while lapping up a Barrie McKay goal.
But he kept his celebrations more restrained this time, sharing some ironic handshakes with his colleagues as he made sure he stayed out of trouble.
“Andy made that outrageous mistake of celebrating a goal again so hopefully he’ll get away with this one,” joked Warburton.
“It was fine, when you score a goal to win a game you have to enjoy it.”
Rangers were far less assured after the break and were lucky to see referee Euan Anderson blow for a foul against Dean Shiels by Lewis Toshney before on-loan Leicester forward Harry Panayiotou volleyed into their net.
“I thought we were very good in the first half and we were disappointed not to get more goals because we were dominant,” added Warburton, whose side remain eight points ahead of rivals Hibs.
“In the second half the wind was gusting, it was a difficult surface which was cutting up and it wasn’t as good, but we were comfortable and dominated possession.
“These are the places you have to come and win.
“There are 13 games to play, suddenly you realise how quickly the season is going. The rest of the season will fly by now.
“People are asking about Hibs and Falkirk but it doesn’t matter.
“It’s about Rangers, if we keep winning games of football we’ll be fine.”
Raith boss Ray McKinnon blasted Anderson’s display as he fumed over his side’s disallowed goal as well as an apparent elbow by Dominic Ball on James Craigen.
He said: “I never slaughter referees but I can’t believe he never gave us that goal, it’s outrageous.
“I’m serious. Poor, poor decision from him and it cost us.
“Toshney won it brilliantly at the edge of the box, kept his eye on the ball and knocked it down and Harry scored.
“I never cane referees but he deserves it tonight.
“Craigen also took an elbow in front of everyone the linesman and me included.
“It bust his lip wide open and the linesman and the ref didn’t give it. Very, very poor refereeing.”
Attendance: 5,493
Raith Rovers: Cuthbert, Bates, Toshney, Benedictus, McKeown, Davidson, Robertson, Connolly, Callachan (Craigen 60), Longridge, Stewart (Panayiotou 60), Craigen (Anderson 75). Subs not used: Thomson, McCord, Matthews, Law.
Rangers: Foderingham, Tavernier, Kiernan, Danny Wilson, Wallace, Ball, Miller (O’Halloran 64), Zelalem (Shiels 72), Halliday, McKay (Forrester 63), Waghorn. Subs not used: King, Bell, Law, Clark.
Referee: Euan Anderson.