A Rangers legend has defended on loan Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall following a costly mistake at Rangers, according to his column in the Evening Times.
Ex-Reds boss Aitor Karanka allowed the academy graduate to join the Scottish giants on a season-long loan in the summer.
It is fair to say that the youngster’s time north of the border is proving largely successful; although as with most young players there is still scope for improvement.
Last week an error from the 22-year-old saw Rangers lose to Kilmarnock and lose vital ground on leaders Celtic.
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard kept his faith in Worrall for the weekend’s game against Livingston and the Forest man has been praised by a former Ibrox favourite.
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Lee McCulloch scored 52 goals in 209 appearances for the Gers in an eight-year stint with the club; and he is seemingly an admirer of the Forest man.
In his latest column for the Evening Times, the Rangers legend said: “Joe Worrall showed a lot of character to come back after his mistake at Kilmarnock and put in a more than decent performance against Livingston.
“He made his error, he held his hands up and he got on with it. Fair play to him for coming back like that.”
Surprise departure
Eyebrows were raised by some Forest fans when Karanka allowed him to depart for the season; with plenty of supporters of the opinion that he was good enough to challenge for a place in the first-team.
In recent months Forest could have perhaps done with having Worrall available; given that several first choice defenders have gone down with various injury problems.
Hindsight is a great thing, however, and Worrall is learning his trade by playing in front of capacity crowds every week at one of Europe’s most illustrious football clubs.
Despite criticism from some Rangers supporters, McCulloch believes that Worrall will benefit from boss Steven Gerrard keeping his faith in him.
He continued: “Steven referenced the mistake that Worrall made last Wednesday night, but he had to in the context of the game. But he stood by him as well.
“That shows you the mark of the man he is. He put him back in again, kept faith with him, and was repaid as Worrall helped Rangers to a clean-sheet and a win on Sunday.”