We knew that our chance of finishing in fourth required a win on Sunday afternoon and that feeling was reinforced when news of Dundee United’s weakened team came though before kick-off. Our faint hopes soon disappeared.
It looked as though we had agreed to stand back, admire our hosts and await our fate. It didn’t take long. Boyd started the ball rolling and rubbed it in by celebrating in front of the 300 away fans (quite a feat that given that there were 50,000 others available). Lafferty added another late in the first half and in between we were lucky not to concede a few more.
Welcome to Ibrox - no beach balls allowed!
Whatever substance Craig Brown slipped into the half time oranges had the desired effect. We came out the traps quite a different team. Murphy and Jutkiewicz started to cause the home defence a few problems and, with the help of O’Brien, we scored. Lafferty’s goal looked like a fatal blow but there was to be a twist in the tale.
An incredible couple of goals at the death salvaged a point and under normal circumstances we would have been wild with delight but the news from Tannadice and our state of shock at the turn of events tempered the celebrations.
O’Brien donated his shirt and Murphy added his boots when the players came to acknowledge the fans and the season was over. There was at least one benefit of the home crowd staying on in the stadium – we had a clear run through deserted streets on the way home!