Rangers have championship within their grasp
By: j |
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Against all odds, the Rangers defeated Celtic 1-0 to take a two point lead in the SPL race with three weeks remaining in the campaign.
The only significant change to the lineup was Kenny Miller’s return to the starting eleven with Andrius Velička pushed to the bench. The addition of Scottish international to the fold proved vital as his attacking pulse showed early on and ultimately it was his cross that led to Stephen Davis plunking in the winner eight minutes before the break. To the surprise of many the pacing of the Old Firm derby was decidedly up-tempo. With both sides choosing to attack opportunities began to emerge with Shunsuke Nakamura forcing the best out of by Gers ‘keeper Neil Alexander twenty minutes in. Moments later a Steven Whittaker attempt rang off the post and the back and forth pace continued until seven minutes past the half-hour when Kris Boyd’s provision to Kenny Miller resulted in the fine cross being sent pass Celtic’s Artur Boruc by Steven Davis. Prior to the break Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink came within a whisper of equalizing the match however Steven Davis proved to be up to the task on the other end as he cleared the former PSV man’s header off the line. After the break Kris Boyd’s misfortune in the Old Firm continued as he was unable to add insurance goals on two separate occasions. As the match turned to this final quarter-hour Aiden McGeady beaded down on the leveler but his effort rattled the woodwork before falling to safety. Without further mark concluded with Rangers victorious and head towards Hibernian on Wednesday with the SPL crown before them.
Category: Team News
Rangers v Celtic match preview
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Put aside the tactical reviews, the endless debates of finite details as there is one simple fact on Saturday that bypasses all others. Celtic visits Ibrox with the SPL championship on the line. One point behind Celtic, the Rangers have a shot at glory with a victory. Although the three remaining matches of the campaign are far from easy, the season comes down to Saturday’s test.
While the financial future of the Rangers is far from a cheery tale, Saturday is “personal”, a chance to race towards the crown with the added pleasure of wrestling it from Celtic. As can be expected the Ibrox faithful will sing out and urge their forces on in a highly spirited Old Firm derby.
On the injury front Walter Smith as Saša Papac and Madjid Bougherra although Kirk Broadfoot is unavailable. Kris Boyd has been scoring at remarkable pace and will look to unlock his troubles against the Bhoys. Walter Smith’s attacking options remain wide open as both Kenny Miller and Kyle Lafferty are available but Andrius Velička has been unstoppable over the last month.
Category: Team NewsRangers close-in on Celtic with win over Hearts
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The Rangers keep pace with Celtic with a tight 2-0 victory over Hearts. The victory leaves the Gers a single-point behind their rivals as they head to this Saturday’s Old Firm clash that could decide the SPL crown.
In-form Andrius Velička continued his place with Kris Boyd up top, along with Maurice Edu continuing to grow and develop in the midfield. Hearts were in no mood to concede a goal and despite a perfect opportunity presented to Kris Boyd early, the strikers attempt wasn’t worthy of the netting and held back by ‘keeper Marian Kello. Opportunities came and went without a mark but as the clock ticked down before the break, the deadlock was broken as Steven Smith’s deep in-swinging corner was headed from the back post by Kris Boyd to the the Lithuanian international Andrius Velička to close out. Of the match highlights, far and away was the return for injury of Kyle Lafferty entering for Steven Smith with a quarter-hour remaining. With regulation time nearing end Kenny Miller’s powerful cross from the left was headed in by Kris Boyd to bring the match to its 2-0 final score.
Category: Team NewsScottish Cup final for Rangers
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The Rangers advance to the Scottish Cup final with a 3-0 defeat of St Mirren 3-0. With the result the Gers will feature in the finals against either Falkirk or Dunfermline on 30 May.
The Gers took the lead a single minute as Andrius Velička continued his scoring streak as he got on the end of a loose ball from Kris Boyd’s attempt and sent it to the back of the net. Down by one, St Mirren didn’t back down and despite the Gers flirting with additional advances, the match went to the break without further mark. Finally six-minutes past the hour Steven Davis ripped a pass through the Saints defenders with Kris Boyd pounding the ball into the net to make it 2-0. With St Mirren reeling Kenny Miller brought the match to a final 3-0 scoreline with once again Steven Davis initiating the goal. Of the many highlights to the match, one of the most notable came with nine minutes remaining as nineteen year old Northern Ireland international Andrew Little made his debut for the Rangers.
The Rangers return to SPL play on 3 May as they welcome Hearts to Ibrox.
Category: Team NewsRangers defeat Hibernian 3-2
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The Rangers maintained their quest for the Scottish Premier League championship with a 3-2 defeat of Hibernian. Due the SPL’s unique “split” near the seasons conclusion the match had a peculiar tinge to it as regardless of Sundays outcome Hibs could not finish outside of the bottom half of the table. That said, the put forth a brilliant effort and are owed tremendous respect for their performance.
With Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor out of Walter Smith’s selection, the Gers once again paired Andrius Velička with Kris Boyd up-top and Maurice Edu continued his role in the midfield. The match started with a quick striker for the Rangers as Steven Whittaker volleyed a loose ball in from just outside the area only two minutes after the opening whistle. After a number of missed chances by the Gers, the match was even four minutes past the half hour when Lewis Stevenson’s cross was nodded in by Steven Fletcher. Following the equalizer opportunities to score slowed with the next strike coming seven minutes after the restart when Steven Whittaker turned provider for Andrius Velička with the Lithuanian international finishing perfectly. With seventeen minutes remaining Maurice Edu proved himself to be opportunistic as he latched onto a rebound from close range to give Walter Smith’s men a two goal lead. John Rankin ripped the ball into back of the net from twenty-plus metres with six minutes remaining but it was as close as Hibs would get and the match concluded with the Rangers winning 3-2.
Category: Team NewsRangers defeat Motherwell 3-1
By: j | 1 Comment
The Rangers hope for the SPL championship found a new life as a 3-1 victory over Motherwell in conjunction with Hearts holding Celtic to a draw as catapulted them to within a single point of Gordon Strachan’s side.
Laden with injuries, Walter Smith surprised the Ibrox faithful as Andrius Velička received a rare start. The start for the Lithuanian international proved fortuitous as only two minutes-in he pounced on a loose box from Kris Boyd’s header and sent the ball in. Eight minutes later the margin was doubled as Steven Whittaker’s long ball found Kris Boyd with the striker driving the ball in from just twenty metres. Any thoughts of an easy afternoon in Glasgow were interrupted eight minutes before the break as John Sutton probing effort from twenty-three metres quickly found the back of the net. Opportunities came and went for the Rangers without a mark but five minutes past the hour they were the beneficiary of a call that many will question as Brian McLean was adjudged to bringing down Pedro Mendes in the area and the spot was pointed to. Kris Boyd quickly converted to restore the two goal margin. While Rangers looked to add to the lead, the day concluded without further incident with a 3-1 victory for Walter Smith’s side.
The Gers return to action next Sunday against Hibernian.
Category: Team NewsRangers over St Mirren 2-1
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Without the services Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor under suspension, the Rangers maintained their winning form without the disgraced stars defeating St Mirren 2-1.
With Neil Alexander between the woodwork and Maurice Edu taking the ex-captains spot, the Gers put forth a solid lineup and very likely will be a key component in next years campaign. The Gers took the lead early with Kris Boyd finding the net at the twelfth minute as Pedro Mendes linked up with Saša Papac before the Bosnian supplied the striker the opportunity to close from the six yard box. The lead didn’t come without a mighty piece of work as St Mirren are a stubborn side but only seven minutes later the young American Maurice Edu added the second. However before the second goal Nacho Novo came in for young Mr. Edu’s countryman DaMarcus Beasley who injured a rib and will miss this weekends clash against Motherwell. That withstanding nineteen minutes after the opening whistle the Gers had a two goal lead as the American international nodded in Pedro Mendes corner. Up by two the celebration was cooled a morsel as Christian Dailly was summoned in for Saša Papac with nine minutes left in the half after a ankle injury. Ibrox will be backed a morsel tighter on Saturday because joining DaMarcus in the stands will be Saša as the Rangers number whittle down. In an odd twist of trivia, another MLS alumni cast his name on the score-sheet, this from Andy Dorman eleven minutes into the half to cut the margin by one. Via the work of veteran Craig Dargo’s provision St Mirren made in 2-1 but despite a hearty effort, the Rangers curmudgeonly defending saved the victory.
With the campaign nearing conclusion the Rangers welcome Motherwell to Ibrox this Saturday afternoon.
Category: Team NewsRangers v St Mirren match preview
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As Walter Smith leads his Rangers against St Mirren in a mid-week SPL clash this Wednesday evening, it will come with a great deal of concern. While the controversy over Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor is a foul dish far from fully digested they go up against a side in fighting with everything it can muster to save relegation.
Gus MacPherson will be looking for his side to summon the same strength as this past October when then sent the Rangers back from Paisley with a 1-0 defeat. A clear point in the Gers season that as they look back on could be the crucial points that cost them the championship. For St Mirren, who hold the narrowest of three point margins over Falkirk, points today could be deciding factor in survival or condemnation.
Realizing the opposition’s motivation, Walter Smith said:
“We know what they can do. They’re always extremely well organised and we’ll get the same type of game from them as we did at Love Street.”
For the match Kirk Broadfoot and Kenny Miller are both still out with injuries whilst their host will do without Hugh Murray, who is in the sin-bin as well Tom Brighton, Franco Miranda, Stephen O’Donnell, Steven Robb,Chris Smith and Dennis Wyness.
Category: Team NewsRangers defeat Falkirk 1-0
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Following a controversy laden week, the Rangers turned in a positive direction with a 1-0 victory over Falkirk. While few would call a close victory over relegation threatened side a cause for celebration, after the Ferguson – McGregor debacle, the result is received warmly. The result leaves the Gers climb three points Celtic with seasons end fast approaching.
With the changes veteran Neil Alexander took McGregor’s spot between the posts with David Weir taking the armband. Important to note, young John Fleck returned to the starting fold after an unexplained drop of recent. While the Gers attack was far less than exemplary throughout the full ninety minutes, they started with a flourish netting the winning strike in the ninth minute.
In a clever build-up of play Pedro Mendes and Nacho Novo linked up with the later crossing the ball back to Kris Boyd to send to the back of the net from five metres. Up by one the Rangers attack was drained to a lifeless trickle with the rare opportunities perishing with a dreadful final touch. Falkirk, locked in a death spiral towards relegation, punched back but couldn’t find a clear break through. Burton O’Brien and Carl Finnigan came within a whisper of leveling after the restart and try as they may, Falkirk couldn’t find the final touch and the Rangers claimed a 2-1 victory.
Following the match Walter Smith summed up the day perfectly:
“It’s the most important thing in any football match to win and that was the case today.
“I was a little bit disappointed with our possession throughout the match and we were really untidy.
“We have, I feel, been playing some good football recently but right from the very start here, we didn’t have any sustained possession of the ball.
“We gave up a number of good opportunities, particularly in the first half, and never managed to make anything of them apart from our goal early on.
“Overall though, we are delighted to have won. I don’t think it would be unexpected for the players to be affected by what has happened this week but they are a resilient group.”
Category: Team NewsRangers v Falkirk match preview
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As the Rangers return to SPL action this Sunday against relegation threatened Falkirk, it comes after an anything but calm International break. Whilst most clubs will use the period to consider strategy and so-forth, Walter Smith and company have been forced to deal with the scandalous behaviour of Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor during duty for Scotland.
The situation is far from comforting as given the clubs already extraordinary financial problems they are now dealing with a public relations nightmare whereby the two have been seen to disrespect Scotland. Handled well by the front office, Ferguson has been stripped of his captaincy and both players have been suspended by the club to the maximum amount of two weeks. Given the litany of financial problems the Rangers are facing it will take the two a highly concerted public relations effort not to be dispatched at the first chance.
This is certainly not solidifying moment for the club in the chase of the SPL championship but does put Walter Smith into a unique opportunity to motivate his men with the honour of the Rangers at stake. For the match theGers will be additionally pressed with the loss of Kenny Miller and Kyle Lafferty.
Category: Team News
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