Rangers v St Mirren

November 14, 2008
Rangers v St Mirren

Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson may drop out of the starting line-up since he has only recently returned from a long-term injury lay-off.

Defender Sasa Papac is rated doubtful after suffering a blow to the head during Wednesday’s draw at Motherwell.

St Mirren continue without injured quartet Stephen O’Donnell, David Barron, Tom Brighton and Tonet.

Midfielders Steven Robb and Garry Brady are pressing for a return after missing Tuesday’s defeat at Aberdeen.


MATCH ODDS: Rangers 1.16 Draw 7.00 St Mirren 15.00


Rangers: (from) McGregor, Broadfoot, Weir, Bougherra, Papac, Whittaker, Davis, Mendes, Ferguson, Lafferty, Novo, Miller, Boyd, Alexander, Edu, McCulloch, Loy, Shinnie.St Mirren: (from) Howard, Miranda, Cuthbert, Haining, Potter, Ross, Mason, Murray, Brady, Dorman, Robb, Mehmet, Dargo, Wyness, Hamilton, Smith, McAusland, McGinn, McShane.   

This season: St Mirren 1-0 Rangers

 

CLUB FORM

RANGERS

Last five league matches: D W D W W

Top scorer: Kris Boyd - 11

 

ST MIRREN

Last five league matches: L L D L W

Top scorer: Billy Mehmet - 8


Two Games Moved

November 13, 2008

TWO of Rangers’ SPL fixtures early next year have been moved so that they can be broadcast live by Setanta Sports.

The trip to face Aberdeen at Pittodrie will still take place on January 24 but will now start at 12.30pm rather than 3pm.

Gers’ next away clash with Celtic at Parkhead, originally pencilled in for Valentine’s Day, will instead take place on February 15 at 12.30pm.


Motherwell 0 v 0 Rangers

November 13, 2008

 

FT: Motherwell 0 Rangers 0 - Rangers away form continues to let them down after tonight’sgoalless draw at Fir Park. Motherwell played well on the night but Walter Smith’s men will rue several missed chances, particularly in the first-half. Celtic now move four points clear at the top of the SPL.

90 min - Bougherra makes a last ditch run down the right channel and his cross is flicked on by Novo but Boyd can’t connect. The ball goes out for a goal kick.

88 min - Two minutes added on for injury time. Not looking good for Gers.

86 min - Graeme Smith shows a bit of nerves by running out of his area to boot the ball out of the stadium and waste time for his side.

85 min - Kenny Miller crosses into the 18-yard box but Novo’s header lacks conviction and is well wide of target. Time running out for both sides to get a winner.

80 min - A Hughes shot is deflected for a corner. Steven McGarry takes but Kenny Miller clears. Motherwell look most likely to score at this stage.

78 min - Rangers substitution - Steven Whittaker on for Sasa Papac.

78 min - Cross is swung in and Papac is takes a heavy knock to the head from Chris Porter. It looked accidental but the left-back is carried off on a stretcher.

77 min - Stephen Hughes swerves a fantastic right-foot shot from 25-yards into Allan McGregor’s top left corner but the keeper pulls off a wonder stop to deny the former Ibrox midfielder. 

74 min - Rangers’ substitution - Nacho Novo on for Kyle Lafferty. Gers in need of something special from their Spanish super-sub.

69 min - Kenny Miller does well to win a corner for his side. Ball is played short and Davis eventually crosses but again the ball is too near to Smith who catches it with ease.

68 min - Boyd puts the ball in the net after latching on to a long pass but is already ruled offside. Gers fans calling for Nacho Novo to be introduced to the play.

66 min - It’s not proving to be Lafferty’s night. Miller teed up the lanky Irishman with a clever in field pass but his shot from 18 yards is skewed wide of goal.

64 min - Rangers agin go on the attack but a long, high cross from Kirk Broadfoot gives Graeme Smith loads of time to pick the ball from the sky. More quality needed with the final pass.

61 min - Mendes shoots from 25 yards but his first real attempt on goal is too near Smith and he dives to his right to make a decent stop.

56 min - The home side have again started the second-half in a positive manner but Gers always look dangerous on the break.

55 min - Motherwell claim for a penalty after Sasa Papac miss hits a clearance and the ball looks to spin up and hit his hand. Ref waves away any pleas and rightly so. 

53 min - Back up the other end! Hughes finds Porter in the Gers 18-yard box and his turn and shot is brilliantly tipped over the bar by McGregor.

52 min - End to end stuff now. Steven Davis is released down the right wing and his low delivery across the face of goal is inches away from Boyd’s outstretched boot. Ball goes out for a goal kick.

51 min - Free-kick awarded to Motherwell 20 yards from Gers goal. Hammell takes and his low, dipping shot is well held by McGregor who dives to his left, 

50 min - Kyle Lafferty sprints 40 yards with the ball but his pass to Kris Boyd cannons off Barry Ferguson and Motherwell counter attack.

47 min - Yellow card. Bougherra is the first player in Steve Conroy’s book for a late tackle.  

45 min - Rangers start the second-half. No changes for either team.

HT: Motherwell 0 Rangers 0 - Mark McGhee’s men started the stronger of the two teams but Rangers had chances galore in the final 15 minutes. Miller, Boyd and Ferguson are all guilty of missing excellent chances and will wonder how they have not put their side at least a goal up. The game, however, remains in the balance.

45 min - Lafferty gives away a foul and Steven Hammell’s dangerous cross floats across Allan McGregor’s goal with no takers. Excellent delivery from the Well no. 3.

44 min - Davis again plays a long ball which Lafferty flicks on. Miller tries to lob Smith but his tame effort does not have the height or power to beat the keeper.

42 min - It’s all Rangers right now and the Motherwell defence is creaking. A long ball from Davis finds Boyd running through but he fails to control the ball and it slides through to Smith again. Another opportunity passes by for the visitors.

40 min - A long ball is flicked on by Boyd and Miller it around the static Bob Malcolm. The Gers’ no. 18 is wide of goal and his right foot effort is again brilliantly saved by Smith who is keeping his side in the game.

37 min - Chance for Barry Ferguson to open the scoring. Miller crosses the ball low from the left and it falls to Ferguson who sclaffs his first effort. The skipper gets a second bite at it but can’t toe poke it past the diving Graeme Smith from  eight yards. Frustration for Gers.

32 min - Steven Davis crosses from the right wing but Kyle Lafferty and Paul Quinn both miss the ball at the back post and it runs out for a throw-in.

31 min - Rangers concede a free-kick 20 yards from goal but Bob Malcolm’s effort hits the Gers wall and goes out for a corner. Ball is again cleared.

30 min - Davis crosses from the resulting corner and Boyd heads inches over Graeme Smith’s bar.

28 min - Best chance of the game fall to Rangers. Boyd finds his strike partner Kenny Miller in acres of space but the Scotland striker takes one too many touches and Motherwell eventually clear for a corner. Miller should have done better.

25 min - Madjid Bougherra tries to drag his side into the game with a surging run and cross but Smith dives on the ball before it can reach Kris Boyd. Excellent play nevertheless from the pacey Algerian.

23 min - Well’ right-back Paul Quinn pushes forward and has time and space to deliver a wicked cross which McGregor does well to hold under pressure. 

22 min - Bob Malcolm shows a bit of silky footwork to beat Kris Boyd, much to the delight of the vocal home support.

18 min - There’s a bit of nervousness from Rangers’ backline in the opening stages of the game. Ferguson and Mendes need to get the ball down and start dictating the play.

16 min - Mendes delivers a inswinging free-kick from the left wing but Smith jumps above Sasa Papac to claim the ball.

14 min - Scare for Gers. Keith Lasley evades the Gers defence and his low shot from inside the 18-yard box is only parried by McGregor. The ball is eventually cleared but it’s a real chance for the home side to take the lead.

11 min - Barry Ferguson looks to be brought down 25 yards from goal but referee Steve Conroy lets play continue and Kris Boyd produces a snap shot which Smith saves.

9 min - Steven Davis has space in the middle of the pitch but his clever through ball to the on-rushing Kenny Miller is intercepted by Bob Malcolm.

4 min - Marc Fitzpatrick crosses deep from the left wing and Sasa Papac has to be lively to head the ball away under pressure. Gers need to be tighter to the home side’s wide men.

2 min - Kyle Lafferty, who has started on the left side of midfield, tries his luck with a 20 yard shot which is easily gathered by Graeme Smith.

1 min - Early cross from Well’s Stephen Hughes is headed clear by David Weir.

0 min - Motherwell start the match from the kick-off. Perfect conditions at Fir Park this evening.

MOTHERWELL: G. Smith, Quinn, Hammell, Reynolds, Hughes, Malcolm, Porter, Sutton, Lasley, Fitzpatrick, McGarry.

Subs: Nielsen, D. Smith, Murphy, O’Brien, Meechan, McHugh, Page.

RANGERS: McGregor; Broadfoot, Weir, Bougherra, Papac; Davis, Ferguson, Mendes, Lafferty; Miller, Boyd.

Subs: Alexander, Edu, Novo, McCulloch, Whittaker, Loy, Shinnie.

Referee: Steve Conroy


Falkirk In Co-op Cup

November 12, 2008

RANGERS will face Faliirk for a place in the first major final of the season, the Co-operative Insurance Cup.

They were drawn against John Hughes’ side at the Scottish Parliament Building today. Celtic will play Dundee United in other semi-final.

The match will take place in either Tuesday, January 27 or Wednesday, January 28.


Motherwell v Rangers (Wed)

November 11, 2008

Motherwell are without suspended striker David Clarkson for the visit of Rangers to Fir Park.

Clarkson was red-carded in Well’s defeat to Celtic and serves an automatic one-match ban.

Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Captain Barry Ferguson may start after making three substitute appearances since his return from ankle surgery. Striker Steven Naismith remains out.

MATCH ODDS : Motherwell 6.50 Draw 4.00 Rangers 1.53 

 


Motherwell (from): tbc

 

 

Rangers (from): tbc

 


This season: Rangers 2-1 Motherwell

 

 

MOTHERWELL

Last five matches: W L W W L

Top scorers: John Sutton - 5

 


RANGERS

Last five matches: L W W D W

Top scorers: Kris Boyd - 11

 


 

REFEREE

Steve Conroy


Killie 0 v 4 Gers

November 10, 2008

FT: Kilmarnock 0 Rangers 4 - A crushing second-half display has given Rangers three points at Rugby Park this afternoon. Goals from Weir, Boyd, Miller and Whittaker after the interval secured the win and no one can deny that the visitors thoroughly deserved it. The only negative from the 90 minutes was the injury to Kevin Thomson which saw the midfielder stretchered off.

Man of the Match: Kevin Thomson - Gave his all throughout this SPL clash before being stretchered off. Hopefully, it’s not as bad as it looked. 

89 min: GOAL! Kilmarnock 0 Rangers 4 - Steven Whittaker marks his return to the first-team with a terrific goal. Broadfoot’s cross from the right is deflected high in the air and Whittaker, who had made a near post run, stuck out his right foot and lobbed a beautiful lob over Combe from  the tightest of angles.

87 min: GOAL! Kilmarnock 0 Rangers 3 - Kenny Miller scores Rangers’ third goal with a close range header from a Davis cross which gave Combe no chance.

84 min: Rangers substitution: Steven Whittaker on for Kevin Thomson.

83 min: Bad news for Gers as Kevin Thomson is stretchered from the pitch after a challenge. More news on this soon.

80 min: Miller starts a swift counter attack but decides to play it to the overlapping Kirk Broadfoot. His pass is slightly to hard for the right-back who dives to the ground after Combe came from his goal line. Kirk is booked for simulation but is angered at the ref’s decision not to award a penalty. Again looked an awful decision from the official.

77 min: Ferguson finds Boyd 30 yards from goal and the striker flicks it cleverly past a defender before unleashing an ambitious low drive which Combe gathers.

76 min: Rangers need one more goal to kill off the home sides dwindling hopes of picking up a point from this game.

70 min: Killie trying desperately to get back in to the game but Rangers happy to retain possession and keep their two-goal advantage intact. Ferguson playing just in front of Thomson who has been excellent throughout with his crunching tackles and boundless energy.

67 min: Killie substitution: Conor Sammon on for Donovan Simmonds.

63 min: Rangers substitution: Barry Ferguson on for Pedro Mendes.

61 min: Killie substitution: Tim Clancy on for the injured Jamie Hamill.

53 min: GOAL! Kilmarnock 0 Rangers 2 - Boyd finally does what he does best! Miller finds his Gers’ teammate with a sublime pass from the right touchline and Boyd, without having to even check his run, bullets the ball low past the helpless Combe. Boyd’s 11th goal of the season and his third against Killie in 2008/09.

49 min: GOAL! Kilmarnock 0 Rangers 1 - Broadfoot wins a corner and Thomson crosses deep to Killie’s back post. Davie Weir is there and heads home from close range under pressure. Gers finally get some reward for all their attacking play.

48 min: Boyd flicks a header on to Kenny Miller who is bearing down on goal but Frazer Wright makes a brilliant last ditch tackle to deny the Scotland star. 

47 min: Early pressure from Gers. Miller darts towards the Killie defence and feeds the ball to Boyd in thge box. His first touch is poor and Killie clear.

46 min: Killie start the second half. One change for Gers with Kyle Lafferty on for Nacho Novo. 

HT: Kilmarnock 0 Rangers 0 - What a 45 minutes! Rangers have had a Boyd spot kick saved, hit the post and bar and should had another stonewall penalty. How the game is still goalless is remarkable but can the home side’s luck continue in the second-half? Rangers playing well but will be gutted not to have their noses in front at the interval.

42 min: Another big penalty claim for Gers! Boyd beats Killie’s poor attempt at an offside trap and when Combe saves his initial effort the striker looks to be clipped at the ankle by the keeper just as he was about to roll the ball home. It was a stone waller but the ref waved away any pleas.

40 min: Good play from Killie. After a good passing move the ball is played out wide to Hamill who produces a powerful cross which Allan McGregor can only palm away. Broadfoot eventually clears. 

35 min: More misfortune for Gers in front of goal. Broadfoot takes a throw-in to Mendes who dinks it on to Novo in the box. The Spaniard controls it on his chest before producing a stunning snap shot which hits the inside of Combe’s post before landing in the keeper’s arms.

32 min: Mendes feeds the resulting free-kick in to the path of Boyd who rockets a stunning shot off the Killie cross bar from 35 yards. So unlucky for the striker.

31 min: Booking: Craig Bryson picks up yellow card no 2 of the match for a foul on Thomson 35 yards from Combe’s goal. 

28 min: Boyd steps up but his effort is brilliant saved by Combe who had dived to his right to deny the Gers’ hitman.

27 min: Penalty for Gers! Grant Murray challenges Boyd in the box from behind and the ref immediately points to the spot.

24 min: Frustrating opening to the game from Gers who have failed to trouble Combe despite the home side’s defence looking shaky.

20 min: Match getting heated after a free-kick is awarded to Killie for another high challenge this time from Mendes. Bit of handbags follows before players are separated. 

17 min: Booking: Sasa Papac picks up a yellow card for a high footed challenge on a Killie defender. The Bosnian was simply trying to control the ball, ref Eddie Smith’s decision looked harsh.

14 min: Excellent chance for Killie. David Fernandez controls a long ball on the Gers 18-yard box with his back to goal. He plays it in to the path of the on-rushing Willie Gibson who skews his shot wide of target at McGregor’s near post.

12 min: Broadfoot finds space on the left wing but his disappointing cross finishes up behind Alan Combe’s goal to the amusement of the home support.

7 min: Bougherra fouls Killie no 34 Donovan Simmonds 40 yards from Rangers goal and does the same thing to Craig Bryson seconds later. The home side, however, fail to trouble McGregor from either set piece. 

3 min: Early chance for Gers to get the ball into Killie box. Thomson delivers a dangerous cross and when is ball is flicked on Bougherra is inches from connecting. Good opportunity for the big defender.

2 min: Windy conditions making life difficult for both teams in the early stages as is the slippery Rugby Park surface.

0 min: Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd get the action underway from the kick-off in this crucial SPL clash for Gers.

TEAMS

RANGERS: McGregor; Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac; Davis, Mendes, Thomson, Novo; Boyd, Miller

Subs: Alexander, Lafferty, Loy, Aaron, Whittaker, Beasley, Ferguson

KILMARNOCK: Combe, Fowler, Wright, Bryson, Taouil, Murray, Gibson, Skelton, Fernandez, Hamill, Simmonds

Subs: Harpur, Hay, Corrigan, Clancy, Flannigan, Sammon, Cox

Referee: Eddie Smith


Kilmarnock v Rangers ( Sun )

November 7, 2008

Venue: Rugby ParkDate: Sunday, 9 NovemberKick-off: 1400GMT Coverage:BBC Radio Scotland & BBC Sport website. Highlights on website from midnight on Sunday and on Monday’s Sportscene, BBC One Scotland @ 2235GMT


Kilmarnock v Rangers

Kilmarnock defender Frazer Wright could face Rangers on Sunday after returning to training following a calf injury.

But Manuel Pascali is suspended and joins Danny Invincibile, Simon Ford, Ryan O’Leary, Allan Johnston, Allan Russell and Garry Hay in missing out.

Rangers have no new injury worries for the visit to Rugby Park.

Brahim Hemdani should be back in action within the next 10 days, and Steven Naismith is training again after damaging knee ligaments in April.

MATCH ODDS : Kilmarnock 7.50     Draw 4.20    Rangers 1.44

 


Kilmarnock: (from) Combe, Fowler, Murray, Lilley, Skelton, Bryson, Taouil, Hamill, Sammon, Fernandez, Harpur, Gibson, Corrigan, Clancy, Wright, Flannigan, Simmonds, Cox.

Rangers: (from) McGregor, Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, Lafferty, Davis, Mendes, Thomson, Novo, Ferguson, Boyd, Miller, Alexander, Edu, Whittaker, Loy, McMillan.

 


Kilmarnock midfielder Craig Bryson:
“You are always up for Celtic and Rangers games. They are the games you always want to play in.

“You are playing against excellent teams and huge clubs.

“I scored against both of them for Clyde. We need to go into the game and believe we can get something out of it.

“There is no point going into the game and thinking we are going to lose, because then we obviously will lose.”

Rangers manager Walter Smith

“We made a couple of straightforward defensive errors against Dundee United that we paid dearly for, but hopefully that’s a one-off.

“Kilmarnock are doing well this season, even though they were many people’s tip for relegation.

“Jim Jefferies has pulled them together and he’s doing a remarkable job.

“Games against Rangers and Celtic bring out the best in every team in terms of motivation, so it’ll be difficult, but we look forward to it.”

 


This season: Rangers 2-1 Kilmarnock

 

CLUB FORM

KILMARNOCK

Last five league matches: L W W L L

Top scorer: Craig Bryson, Conor Sammon, Mehdi Taouil, - 3

 


 

RANGERS

Last five matches: W W L W D

Top scorers: Kris Boyd - 10

 

 

 

REFEREE

Calum Murray


Rangers v Dundee Utd

November 4, 2008

 

Rangers striker Jean-Claude Darcheville has been ruled out of Tuesday’s visit by Dundee United with a calf strain.

Kevin Thomson and Kenny Miller have recovered from knocks suffered against Inverness, while Barry Ferguson could make his first start of the season.

United are without Roy O’Donovan through suspension after he was sent off in the draw with Falkirk.

Fellow striker Jon Daly is also ruled out of the Scottish Premier League game with a groin strain.

MATCH ODDS : Rangers 1.28 Draw 5 Dundee Utd 11 

 


Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, Davis, Mendes, Thomson, Ferguson, Novo, Boyd, Beasley, Miller, Loy, Alexander, Edu, Lafferty, McMillan.

 

Dundee United: Zaluska, Dods, Dillon, Kenneth, Wilkie, Dixon, Kovacevic, Grainger, Flood, McCord, Buaben, Gomis, S Robertson, Conway, Sandaza, Feeney, Goodwillie, D Robertson, McGovern.

 


Rangers manager Walter Smith
“Dundee United were a wee bit like ourselves and had a slow start to the season, but they’ve settled down in the last six or seven weeks and are back to the form they showed last season.

 

“We always get a really difficult game from them, they are always well-organised and have a good attitude.

“They’re well-motivated and have some good players in their team, so it will be a good game and one that we’re all looking forward to.”

Dundee United manager Craig Levein
“Rangers is always a hard place to go and they had a superb result at the weekend, so their confidence will be right up.

“But we’ve been doing not too bad either, so our lads have the right to be confident as well.

“Defensively, we have been sound lately and that’s something we’ll need to keep going.

“If we play to the level, we have been then we’ll give ourselves a chance.”

 


Last season: Dundee United 2-1 Rangers, Rangers 2-0 Dundee United, Dundee United 3-3 Rangers, Rangers 3-1 Dundee United

 

 

CLUB FORM

RANGERS

Last five matches: W W L W W

Top scorers: Kris Boyd - 9

 

 

DUNDEE UNITED

Last five league matches: W W W W D

Top scorer: Jon Daly - 5

 

 

REFEREE

Craig Thomson


Rangers v Inverness CT

November 1, 2008

Rangers captain Barry Ferguson could make his first appearance of the season after surgery on his ankle. 

Fellow midfielder Steven Whittaker is also back from a spell on the sidelines through injury.

Inverness defender Phil McGuire remains on the sidelines with an ankle injury and faces another three weeks out.

Midfielder Ian Black returns after sitting out Tuesday’s defeat to Falkirk in the Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final with a shoulder problem.

Match Odds : Rangers 1.2 Draw 6.5 Inverness CT 13

 


Rangers: (from) McGregor, Broadfoot, Weir, Bougherra, Papac, Davis, Mendes, Thomson, Beasley, Novo, Boyd, Miller, Lafferty, Alexander, Dailly, Loy, McMillan, Ferguson.

Inverness CT: (from) Fraser, Tokely, Duff, Munro, Hastings, Imrie, Vigurs, Black, Duncan, Cowie, McBain, Wilson, Rooney, Wood, Barrowman, Esson, Wilson, Proctor.

 


Rangers manager Walter Smith:
“Inverness always give us tough games, especially away from home.

“They are very difficult to break down and they have become a regular SPL team because of that. They have good spirit and determination.

“They are a well-run team and they are well-organised on and off the pitch.

“They’re not an easy team to play, they’re very difficult opposition.”

Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Craig Brewster:
“At the end of the day every game in the SPL is very tough.

“What comes with that is different levels of expectation.

“Everybody will expect Rangers to win, so we will go there and see if we can cause an upset.”

 


Last season: Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0-1 Rangers, Rangers 2-0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0-3 Rangers

 

CLUB FORM

RANGERS

Last five matches: W W W L W

Top scorers: Kris Boyd - 6, Kenny Miller - 4

 

 

INVERNESS CT

Last five league matches: L W L L L

Top scorer: Andrew Barrowman, Garry Wood, Dougie Imrie, Don Cowie - 2

 

 

REFEREE

Crawford Allan


Ferguson could be back for Caley

October 27, 2008

 

Rangers boss Walter Smith has pencilled in Barry Ferguson for a return to the first-team for the weekend clash with Inverness.

Ferguson has been out of action since the summer after undergoing surgery on his troublesome ankle problem.

The Gers skipper came through a reserve team outing last week unscathed and he is set for another run-out for the second string this week against Dundee United.

Smith has revealed Ferguson will be in his plans to face Inverness at Ibrox next weekend, if he comes through the reserve clash without any ill-effects.

“Barry will get another game on Wednesday and I’m hopeful that if he gets through that match without any problems, he’ll come back in at the weekend,” Smith told club’s official website.

“I don’t mean that it terms of his injury because that’s okay now. If the after-effects of playing in midweek aren’t too severe, we would look at him coming in on Saturday.

Anxious

“It is natural people are anxious now to get him back. I’ll involve Barry in the pool of players for the Hamilton game but that game might be a bit early for him.

“He will play against United’s reserves and after that, I’d hope he’ll become more gradually involved with the full side.

“Barry played at St Mirren and did all of his training last week then had a recovery day yesterday so we’ll see how he is at training today.

“He is itching to get back playing again but he has an awareness of his injury now, as we do. When he makes his comeback, he’ll be ready for it.”