News

RUTHLESS Rangers ended our interest in the Scottish Cup with a clinical first half performance in our third round clash in Glasgow.

No fans were present inside Ibrox to see a double from Kemar Roofe and goals from Jermain Defoe and Nathan Patterson ensure the Scottish Premiership champions had secured a home clash with Celtic in the next round before half-time.

More concerning for us was the sight of midfielder Jamie Masson being stretchered off in the second half with what looked like a serious injury to his right ankle.

It was always going to be tough for us against the side who have yet to lose in the Premiership this term.

There was certainly no lack of effort from our lads but Rangers showed why they have won their league at a canter – and also did so well in the Europa League this season – with a powerful display that we simply couldn’t compete with.

But let’s not forget we had already recorded a piece of Scottish Cup history in the previous round, when Alloa Athletic became the first Championship side beaten by us in the national competition.

You also have to praise our lads for the work they put in to ensure Rangers were unable to add to their lead in the second period.

Manager Paul Hartley had promised changes would be made, with Tuesday’s league visit to Clyde in mind.

That meant five changes to the side that began the last league match, against Airdrie, with Adam Livingstone, Daniel Higgins, Connor Smith, Broque Watson and Jamie Masson all in from the start.

Rangers also rested a few but had still put out a pretty formidable side.

They created the first chance, when Scott Wright broke into our area in the third minute to hit a 16-yard shot that was deflected for a corner.

Steven Davis then played an excellent pass to send Nathan Patterson clear on the right.

His cross was knocked wide by Scott Arfield from 15-yards.

Defoe than had an 18-yard shot deflected wide for a corner.

Davis took it and when the cross came in Kemar Roofe saw his effort hit the inside of Stuart McKenzie’s right post and bounce into the keepers hands.

The opener came in the 24th minute when DEFOE turned cleverly 20-yards out then rifled a wonderful low drive into the bottom corner of the net, to McKenzie’s right.

Wright created their next chance with a clever cut-back from the right byline but Defoe could only poke his 12-yard shot wide of the target.

It was 2-0 just after the half hour when Defoe fed the ball to Arfield and his 15-yard shot was well saved by McKenzie but unfortunately the rebound fell to ROOFE, who lashed home from the edge of the six yard box.

ROOFE made it 3-0 two minutes later when he fired the ball high into the net after latching on to a well placed pass from Wright.

Rangers defender Calvin Basey was booked in the 34th minute for a foul on Mitch Megginson.

We threatened the Rangers goal in the 35th minute when Fraser Fyvie picked out Megginson from a free-kick and the striker’s shot from a tight angle on the right was deflected over the bar by Davis.

Rangers midfielder Davis was then booked for a body check on young Connor Smith near to the right touch line.

The home side went close again in the 39th minute when Defoe saw his low shot from the edge of then area go inches wide of McKenzie’s right post.

It was 4-0 in the 43rd minute when Daniel Higgins’ pass across the face of our goal was intercepted by PATTERSON, who gave McKenzie no chance with a perfectly hit shot.

We made a change at the break with Rory McAllister coming on for Megginson.

Rangers also replaced Davis with Ianis Hagi.

His first involvement was sending a 20-yard shot well off target after latching on to a pass from Wright.

Defoe was denied in the 53rd minute when McKenzie saved the striker’s 16-yard shot with his legs.

The former England international then fired wide from 10-yards before Connor Goldson broke forward to lash a shot from outside the area over the crossbar.

Masson was injured in the 62nd minute when his studs seemed to catch in the turf as he was making a challenge on Patterson inside our area.

He received lengthy treatment before being stretchered off with his right leg in a splint.

Wright hit a 20-yard shot wide in the 74th minute but our lads worked their socks off to ensure our hosts had no clear cut chances before the final whistle sounded.

RANGERS: McLaughlin, Bassey, Helander, Goldson, Defoe (Stewart 73), Davis (Hagi 46), Patterson, Kamala, Wright, Roofe (Itten 61) Arfield.

Subs: McGregor, Simpson, Kent, Aribo, Morelos, Balogun.

COVE RANGERS: McKenzie, Scott Ross, Graham, Higgins, Livingstone, Watson (McIntosh 63), Fyvie, Scully, Smith, Masson (Hanratty 63),  Megginson (McAllister 46).

Subs: Strachan, Yule, Seb Ross, Logan, Ngwenya, Demus.

Referee : Kevin Clancy

Article Copyright © 2021. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to www.coverangersfc.com

Rangers Reaction: Paul Hartley & Fraser Fyvie »