PATCHED-UP defence, hectic schedule, even the Baltic temperatures at Easter Road.
If Liam Kelly was looking for excuses he could point to any of those in a desperate attempt to mitigate the collapses that cost Rangers so dear in their 3-3 draw with Hibs on Sunday.
But the Ibrox keeper was in no mood to defend the litany of mistakes that again sent Philippe Clement’s players stumbling backwards just days after they took a huge leap forward by beating Celtic.
For half an hour in Leith the Ibrox side put on a display of pace, movement and menace as they moved 2-0 ahead thanks to Hamza Igamane’s early double.
But all that disappeared the second they failed to deal with a fairly run-of-the-mill set-piece. Martin Boyle fired home after Gers lost out on the fight for the second balls and there was more sloppiness in the build-up to the controversial penalty award that saw the Hibs skipper level from the spot.
Even then, the Ibrox side were able to regain control as Igamane wrapped up his hat-trick with 15 minutes left.
But the fragility that has seen the Light Blues fail to win seven of their 10 away games this term was clear for all to see as they allowed Rocky Bushiri to drag David Gray’s side level for a second time late on.
And for Kelly there’s no excuse that can justify that.
The Light Blues back-up shot-stopper said: “I was really annoyed that we didn’t come away with a victory after scoring three goals.
“In any game when you play for this club, if you score three goals that should be more than enough to win the game.
“So I was really annoyed at the defensive moments we gave away. It was sloppy from us.
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Denne historien er fra January 07, 2025-utgaven av Daily Record.
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