Dundee United proved sometimes the darkest hour is just before dawn, as they followed their worst performance of Peter Houston’s reign with one of the best.
Russell felt the secret of their success was the standard of their passing, which saw them keep possession for long spells much to the frustration of the anxious home fans.
“We knew we would have to be brave on the ball and take it in tight situations,” he added. “We did pass it well.
“You felt their crowd getting on to them but I didn’t really think about that. It was a massive game for them but that goes for us too.”
Russell is no giant but he has excellent ability in the air and his goal was a cracker.
“The first thing that came into my mind was the ball was going to be whipped in quickly by Dicker (Dixon),” he said.
“It was always going to be a good ball and I just had to throw myself into the box and have a go.”
Then came Goodwillie’s amazing winner, only partially witnessed by Russell.
“I went down with cramp so I didn’t see it all,” said Russell, who was named Clydesdale Bank young player of the month.
“I did see him shoot, though, and it was such a good finish from Goodie.”
Manager Houston must have been bursting with pride as his players upset the odds in such style.
United have followed disappointments with fine results in the past but this one takes some beating.
Houston said, “To twice come from behind against a good Rangers side shows resilience and determination so I can’t praise them highly enough.”Houstie ‘delighted’He joked about the circumstances that led to the winning goal.
Houston said, “I can’t remember a time when I have been so delighted to see so many Rangers players in our box.
“I couldn’t believe it and then suddenly we had a two on one against Allan McGregor.”
He added, “I am really pleased for our punters because we had a fantastic support down at Motherwell and let them down badly.”
Rangers manager Walter Smith refused to blame the defeat on the uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the club.
Businessman Craig Whyte’s proposed takeover is expected to be resolved in the next day or so after months of negotiations.
Smith called for a resolution to the situation on Friday but believes the headlines surrounding the off-field issues had little to do with United’s victory.
He said, “We have had those types of headlines for the last three years. For us, it’s not a footballing issue.”
The Tangerines travelled to Ibrox on Saturday, with memories still fresh of the abject display that saw them release their grip on the Scottish Cup without a fight as they lost 3-0 to Motherwell in midweek.
Houston’s declaration that they had never played as badly during his time in charge must have still been ringing in the players’ ears as they made their way to Glasgow.
The Light Blues, albeit with financial worries to contend with off the park, had every reason to be buoyant on the pitch.
They had just lifted the Co-operative Insurance Cup, which was paraded before kick-off, and the postponement of Celtic’s match at Inverness meant the Gers had a chance to go top of the SPL if they beat United.
So the odds were heavily stacked against the Tangerines.
Despite their having won five previous league matches, hardly anyone other than themselves and their colourful band of loyal fans that filled a corner of the ground gave them any chance.
Once the game started, though, you sensed it might be their day.
During the opening stages they kept the ball better than their opponents and looked confident in possession.
But it was the hosts who took the lead on 19 minutes, with a soft free-kick at the edge of the United box giving El Hadji Diouf the chance to find the head of Nikica Jelavic, who nodded past keeper Dusan Pernis.Goal ‘a bit special’United timed their equaliser perfectly, and, with just a few seconds remaining of the first half, David Robertson tucked the ball past goalie Allan McGregor after being played in by a Danny Swanson slide-rule pass.
Rangers striker Steven Naismith made it 2-1 to his team on 53 minutes but the Tangerines responded brilliantly again.
With 78 minutes on the stadium clock, Paul Dixon, just switched to left-back from central defence by Houston, delivered a superb cross from the left, headed into the net by man of the match Johnny Russell.
David Goodwillie then made it a week to remember for him when he netted one of the most dramatic winners scored by an opposition team at Ibrox in many a year.
Fresh from signing an extended contract and being named Clydesdale Bank player of the month, the Scotland striker ran from inside his own half to pick up a forward pass from Morgaro Gomis in the final minute of the match.
All the Rangers team bar McGregor had been in the United box for a corner, so Goodwillie was in the clear and even had an option of squaring to colleague Craig Conway for a tap-in.
His goalscoring instinct took over and he made as if to sidestep the goalie before lashing the ball past McGregor to send the United fans wild.
That strike was certainly memorable but it was probably pipped for goal of the game by the one from Russell, whose overall display was outstanding.
“It was a bit special,” said Russell of the first Ibrox success of his career. “I thought we played really well, brilliantly at times.
“This was a tough place to come to after such a bad defeat but that makes me all the more delighted for everyone.”