FOR a generation of Gers fans, Allan McGregor was Simply The Best.
Last night, as the pop world mourned the passing of the music legend, Tina Turner’s anthem greeted the Rangers goalie and four of his teammates for the final time.
Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor applauds the fans[/caption] Alfredo Morelos gets a standing ovation as he says farewell to Ibrox[/caption]But their hopes of going out in style were dashed when Hearts gatecrashed the leaving party just as last orders had been called.
Lawrence Shankland fired the visitors into a quick-fire lead.
Goals from Todd Cantwell and Fashion Sakala looked to have secured a fitting send off for McGregor & Co.
Garang Kuol’s dramatic stoppage time equaliser undoubtedly dampened spirits, but not enough to stop the home fans from hailing their departing heroes.
After over 500 appearances, 216 clean sheets, four league titles, four Scottish Cups and five League Cups, the two-time Europa League finalist has played his last game for Rangers.
Alfredo Morelos and Scott Arfield too.
All three got an incredible reception from the Rangers support on a night when Hearts’ hopes of a third place finish ended.
At the end, the trio were joined on the pitch for a lap of honour by Ryan Kent and Helander.
All five will depart Ibrox at the end of the month as Gers boss Michael Beale shakes things up.
Lawrence Shankland celebrates[/caption]More players are expected to leave Ibrox this summer with as many as seven new signings set to arrive.
Midfielder Kieran Dowell is the first, his capture from Norwich City on a three-year deal confirmed just before kick-off.
A new dawn awaits, one which will define the Beale era.
Keeper Jack Butland and defender Dujon Sterling are close to agreeing terms.
Midfielder Jose Cifuentes is another firmly on the radar.
But before welcoming the new, this was a chance to say goodbye to the old.
For Rangers fans, the match itself was almost incidental.
Many had come just to say a fond farewell to five players who between them had racked up 1278 appearances for the club.
McGregor was back between the sticks to make his 502 Gers appearance.
Morelos was also handed a start – his first in a month – with Arfield on the bench.
For the Jambos, there was much more than sentiment at stake.
Two points behind Aberdeen at the start of the night, Steven Naismith’s side were seeking to mount one last assault on third place.
They certainly started the match like a team who still had plenty to play for.
Indeed, some fans were still making their way to their seats when Shankland poked them in front inside 60 seconds.
Rangers’ Ryan Kent applauds the fans after the game[/caption]James Hill’s long throw-in was flicked on by Peter Haring.
James Tavernier’s weak clearance was headed back towards goal by Shankland.
His initial effort came back off Josh Ginnelly, but the Hearts skipper made no mistake on the rebound.
Standside linesman Frank Connor immediately raised his flag, but after a VAR review the goal rightly stood.
Rangers were at sixes and sevens, a squad of players with one eye on the beach.
A Leon King deflected shot from distance had Zander Clark scrambling across goal with 20 minutes gone.
Some terrific defending by Hill thwarted another Gers attack before a Nico Raskin shot was tipped over the bar.
Tensions had been slowly simmering and after Naismith needlessly got involved with Morelos near the touchline, the Colombian made the Jambos boss look rather silly on the stroke of half-time.
Three minutes of added on time had in fact been played when the 26-year-old played a neat one-two with Cantwell.
Hill’s slip presented the Englishman with a clear run in on goal, Cantwell clipping his shot in off the far post.
Scott Arfield[/caption]Morelos made a beeline for the touchline, taunting Naismith who had retreated to his seat on the bench.
It was all rather unnecessary.
If Hearts had come flying out of the traps in the first half, it was Gers’ turn to do so at the start of the second.
Tony Sibbick simply didn’t deal with Cantwell’s long ball out of defence, allowing Sakala to nick in ahead of the on-rushing Clark.
The Gers striker got just enough on it to see it over the line.
Rangers should have been out of sight. Instead they were punished as Kuol came off the bench to snatch a late leveller for Hearts.
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