Billy Dodds is part of the interim ensemble cast in charge at Rangers and it’s former club Aberdeen up next for the Light Blues assistant
Rangers’ rearguard action against Athletic Club for 90 plus minutes with ten men and a few with nine is the stuff heroes are made of.
But there’s always the danger that it’s taken enough of a toll to see them become the villains at Pittodrie.
Many feared a Spanish inquisition was coming when Robin Propper was given his marching orders for denying Inaki Williams a goalscoring opportunity just 13 minutes into Thursday Europa League quarter-final second leg.
But ironically, Barry Ferguson’s team seemed to improve after going a man down. It at least simplified the plan and the objective.
Assistant Billy Dodds was hailing the collective when he described the players – a good number of them have been booed off at Ibrox in recent weeks – when he described them as heroic.
But Liam Kelly’s dramatic penalty save from Alejandro Berenguer was the sort of moment you wait for in any superhero flick; the local lad using his newly acquired powers to step up and send the bad guys packing.
Okay, there’s still a second leg to go and Bilbao could yet wreak their revenge. But for now, Dodds is simply marveling at the show of defensive doggedness and true grit that’s been sorely lacking in Rangers for most of this season.
“Heroic, I would say,” was Dodds’ reply when asked if his players had silenced a few critics. “It’ s amazing how we’ve kept a clean sheet with nine players.
“Losing Robin early it was ten players then down to nine and we keep a clean sheet after we’ve been losing a few goals. But it shows you what can be done with hard work, graft and a bit of organisation.
“I’ll use the word again and I’m not embarrassed to, but the players were heroic.
“They put a lot into it but they were going to have to put a lot into it to try and get a result. We’ll get a look at it, see who we’ve got and judge what to do for Sunday.”
Sunday brings the small matter of a trip to Pittodrie. Celtic’s win over Kilmarnock means defeat will confirm the Hoops as champions and everyone has known for a while there was to be no late twist in this particular movie.
But Rangers need to start showing their chops before work begins on the sequel next season.
The current dugout directors may or may not be brought back on board for that particular project with a takeover in the works.
Harsh words were had after the credits rolled after an absolute turkey of a showing against Hibs at the weekend.
But if the midweek show was anything to go by, there’s hope yet that the fans might like what they see a bit more between now and season’s end.
“If they put their minds to it, the players realise we can go on a consistent run, yes,” said Dodds.
“Two of our defeats have been disappointing but overall, you see there’s some sort of consistency coming back. You can’t get away from it, we’ve lost a couple of games and that’s been a wee dent. But the reply and reaction from the players has been unbelievably good.
“It would make life easier for the coaching staff! But we’ve got plenty of experience, we know what’s required and we know what makes these players tick at times.
“I would like that consistency but sometimes football is like that. We enjoyed that we kept ourselves in the tie on Thursday night, especially going down to 9 men, that was important. Now we’re looking forward to Sunday and next Thursday.”
Whether this is a brief cameo or not for Dodds, it’s clear that he’s relishing not only being back in the game, but with a Scottish football A-lister he knows so well after four years as a Rangers player.
“Absolutely loving it. We all muck in. The coaching staff have got plenty of experience. Although we’re quite animated on the touchline. I think I’m the oldest and the calmest, which is saying a lot!
“I’m absolutely loving it here. We’ve been asked questions and there’ve been a couple of disappointments but it’s been nothing but positive.
“You know what, at this club, every day is massive. Honestly, I’ve loved it since I’ve come in, the staff have loved it and we got a reaction from the players.
“I can’t answer for them but I think the players are enjoying it and that’s all we want. If we can get some consistent results domestically then we’ll be really happy.
“Every day is massive when you come to this club because you’re asked a question every day.”
It’s quite the step up from his last gig. Dodds took Inverness Caley Thistle to the Scottish Cup Final in 2023, although it ended up being a supporting role for the Highlanders as Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic clinched a Treble days before his departure to Tottenham.
Dodds was sacked the following September following a nine-game winless run as Caley plunged into administration and League One.
But local businessmen Alan Savage was this week awarded preferred bidder status as he aims to take them out of admin, and Dodds is delighted to see his former club seemingly heading back on to an even keel.
“I know Alan Savage, I’ve spoken to him on the phone and I knew he would do the right thing by the club, said the former manager.
“He’s a good person, he loves Inverness and I’m not surprised he’s kept them afloat. I think he’ll get it sorted out. He’s a local business man but very focused and loves his football. He’s got plenty of clout so I think they’re in safe hands.”
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