Andrew Little equalised for Rangers against Hearts at Ibrox

By Alasdair Lamont

Andrew Little's injury-time equaliser for Rangers may have denied Scott Robinson the honour of being Hearts' first match-winner at Ibrox in six years.

But both players acknowledged afterwards the importance of capitalising on the opportunities circumstance has granted them.

While the pair, who each got their first senior goals on Saturday, are not short on promise, they have found themselves involved at first-team level principally because of financial difficulties at their respective clubs.

Those in turn have led to squads more acutely affected by a spate of injuries.

But the two young men are aware they have to make the most of any chances they are given to shine in the first team.

I have really enjoyed getting my few bits and pieces on the pitch lately and hopefully I can get more and more game-time. Andrew Little

Little said: "The squad at the minute is very, very thin and it works in my favour because hopefully I will get a few more chances.

"I have really enjoyed getting my few bits and pieces on the pitch lately and hopefully I can get more and more game-time.

"The financial situation is not ideal, but it's good for the young boys coming through.

"All the young boys now realise that a few of us are getting a chance and that motivates them and pushes them on.

"But, for the sake of the team, we want all those boys back as soon as possible."

Robinson's story was strikingly similar.

"There's not much money at the club at the moment and the gaffer is giving the kids a chance," said the 17-year-old from Edinburgh.

Scott Robinson scored the opener for Hearts against Rangers at Ibrox

"It's good to get my first goal, especially at Ibrox. I hoped it would be enough for the win, but you never know at Ibrox, especially when you're down to 10 men.

"But we're on a right good run at the moment. It would have been great to get the win. But, if you'd given us a point before kick off, we'd have taken it."

The 20-year-old Little admitted it was "very special" to score his first goal for Rangers but that it was tinged with the disappointment over the failure to win the match.

"It was a very important goal, but three points would have been better," added the Northern Irishman.

"The fact that I couldn't really celebrate it wasn't ideal.

"It was the first time that my mum, dad and two brothers were all over for the game and I wanted to go and celebrate, but I couldn't really do it because we needed to try to get another one."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version