Ross County midfielder Jonathan Franks is wary of a Rangers backlash – thanks to the Ibrox club’s Andy Halliday, whom he could face on Saturday.
The two played together during their time at Middlesbrough, where Franks was constantly reminded of Halliday’s passion for the Light Blues.
Halliday joined Rangers from Bradford City last summer and came on as a half-time substitute in last Saturday’s crushing 5-1 defeat by Celtic at Parkhead.
Englishman Franks knows how much the defeat will have hurt Halliday and expects he will be eager to help his side take its frustration out on the Staggies in Govan.
Franks said: “He was there for a couple of years or so at the same time as me. He was always on about Rangers – he’s a diehard Rangers supporter and he always has been.
“If he plays he’ll certainly be up for it because that’s his local team. I’m pleased for him as I think he was there as a youngster. I’m pleased he’s got back and he’s making a career for himself at his hometown club.
“He’s a good lad but hopefully he has an off-day on Saturday. They’ve got lots of good players and Andy’s certainly one of them.
“He’ll obviously be hurting from the game last week. They’ll be looking for a response but it hurts them a bit more than any other team. We’ve got to be wary of that.”
Franks has enjoyed a run in the Staggies side, having found starting opportunities limited at the start of the campaign.
After impressing in the 1-1 draw against Motherwell, the wide midfielder is determined to maintain a high level of performance.
He added: “If the wide men and forwards can get consistent then we’re going to create chances and score some goals. That’s how we will win games.
“We obviously need to keep the back door shut at the other end, but if we don’t score we don’t win games. My job is to create goals and hopefully chip in with a few myself. Liam Boyce is scoring a few goals at the moment and hopefully he can get some more.
“In the second half against Motherwell when I was crossing the ball, a couple of times I didn’t even need to look because when the ball was coming to me I knew Liam and Alex Schalk were on their way into the box.
“I just put my head down, put the ball in the areas. Liam got on the end of a couple and on another day they would go in.”