The Rangers Football Club

FT: Rangers 3 v 1 Kilmarnock Highlights

Walter Smith’s side recover from a slow start to put Kilmarnock to the sword and reclaim top spot in the SPL ahead of Celtic’s match tomorrow.

90 min: YELLOW CARD – Kilmarnock
Alan Combe picks up the final booking for a rant at the linesman after a challenge from Lafferty that Combe wasn’t happy with.

90 min: Lafferty wins a free kick when Lilley pulls him to the floor. Aaron lays the ball to Bougherra but the defender’s long range effort is well wide of the post.

89 min: Miller gets his chance for a hat trick but delays the shot a little too long and Killie get back to block. Looks like he’ll be settling for another double after all.

87 min: Gibson swings in a cross looking for Kevin Kyle but McGregor rises high to claim it.

86 min: Aaron’s shot from distance is forced behind for another corner, but the set piece comes to nothing as the game ebbs away.

83 min: Mehdi Taouil works an opening for Pascali but McGregor is out sharply to deny the midfielder.

82 min: SUBSTITUTION – Kilmarnock
Willie Gibson replaces Garry Hay.

81 min: Mendes unleashes a shot just after the ref’s whistle for a foul against the home side and his effort grazes the bar with Combe helpless. Wouldn’t have counted but another lovely display of technique from the midfielder.

80 min: Kyle Lafferty gets his first opportunity as Mendes sends him through with a slide rule pass, but Lilley produces a fantastic tackle to deny the Ulsterman.

76 min: SUBSTITUTION - Rangers
Kris Boyd makes way for Kyle Lafferty.

75 min: Papac tries his luck from 25 yards but his effort is too high. He obviously has a taste for goals after a couple in February already. 

72 min: Davis and Mendes combine to give the latter a chance at goal but his shot, with the outside of his right boot, is well blocked. Kyle Lafferty is preparing to enter the action.

71 min: SUBSTITUTION – Kilmarnock
Mehdi Taouil replaces Gavin Skelton.

70 min: Miller breaks down the right and swings a low ball to the far post that is just out of reach of Steven Davis.

68 min: SUBSTITUTION – Rangers
Aaron replaces John Fleck with both players getting a great reception from the home crowd.

67 min: YELLOW CARD – Kilmarnock
Gavin Skelton is booked for a lunge at Pedro Mendes in the middle of the park.

65 min: A ripple of applause goes across the Main Stand as Aaron is called back from his warm up to prepare to enter the game. A popular figure after his first goal for the club in Forfar on Wednesday night.

64 min: Madjid Bougherra fancies himself as a bit of a right winger as he dries to dance past Manuel Pascali before the Killie man forces the ball out, dumping the big Algerian to the turf in the process. The home crowd enjoyed that from the popular defender though.

63 min: Mendes cuts in from the left flank and fires a vicious low shot toward the near post that Combe bats behind for a corner. Great effort from the Portuguese.

60 min: Sasa Papac’s shot ricochets to Barry Ferguson but the Rangers captain is dispossessed by Gavin Skelton before he can get a shot away.

57 min: The lively Hamill sprints on to a Kevin Kyle flick on but his shot is too high to trouble McGregor. The Killie No.23 has been in impressive form today.

55 min: Bougherra bursts forward again but his floated cross it too close to Alan Combe.

54 min: Goalscorer Hamill tries his luck from distance but McGregor is more than equal to it. Gers break and Davis makes the most of Garry Hay’s error to feed Miller but the striker loses possession in the box.

52 min: Kevin Kyle catches Kirk Broadfoot late, but the defender his helped to his feet by the Killie forward and doesn’t seem too bothered by the challenge.

50 min: Today’s double for Miller is his fourth for Rangers this season after braces against Celtic, Hibs and Forfar. His eleven goal haul is finished with three single strikes, but still no hat-trick. Will he get the chance today?

47 min: The visitors break well on the left and when the ball scoops up off Madjid Bougherra the crowd give Broadfoot a shout to leave it to McGregor who gathers comfortably.

46 min: Killie get the game back under way. No changes for either side yet, although Rangers are a little late in coming out. Perhaps Walter Smith wasn’t too happy with his side’s start to the match.

HT: Rangers 3 v 1 Kilmarnock
A half time scoreline that nobody would have predicted after a quiet opening 10 minutes. Good response to losing a poor goal from Walter Smith’s side.

43 min: Fleck can’t quite pull a high ball out of the air to break free on the left as David Lilley gets out to intercept him on the half way line.

39 min: Gers almost profit again from the resulting set piece as Ford prods the ball off the line to stop a fourth goal in 10 minutes for the home side.

38 min: Papac is clearly enjoying his more attacking role from left back as he thinks about a volley from distance before pulling the ball down and weaving in to box to earn another corner.

34 min: GOAL – Rangers 3 v 1 Kilmarnock
Miller doesn’t wait too long to get his 11th of the season and fourth in four days, latching on to Mendes’ pass and firing past Combe with a powerful left foot effort.

33 min: GOAL – Rangers 2 v 1 Kilmarnock
Kenny Miller muscles his way past Frazer Wright to fire the home side in to the lead with his 10th of the season.

30 min: Sasa Papac somehow manages to head over from just under the bar as Gers almost turn the game on its head inside a minute.

29 min: GOAL – Rangers 1 v 1 Kilmarnock
Who said 13 is an unlucky number? Kris Boyd is in the right place at the right time again to grab his 13th against Killie. He fires home Madjid Bougherra’s header down from Mendes’ corner.

28 min: Brighter from Rangers as Fleck sprints down the left and forces a corner when his cross is turned behind with Miller lurking.

24 min: Kille almost get free again but Craig Bryson is flagged offside on the left side for the visitors.

22 min: YELLOW CARD – Rangers
Kris Boyd goes down on the edge of the area after a challenge from Ford. Referee Brian Winter isn’t impressed and books the striker for a dive.

21 min: The last time Killie visited Ibrox they took a similarly early lead that they protected until a Kris Boyd penalty turned the tide in Rangers’ favour. Will the former Killie man be the one to rescue Gers again this time?

19 min: Davis tries to pick out Boyd in the centre, but his cross drifts over the striker and out for a goal kick.

16 min: GOAL – Rangers 0 v 1 Kilmarnock
From nowhere Garry Hay gets free on the Killie left and rolls a perfect ball across the face of goal to give Jamie Hamill the easiest of finishes for the opening goal.

14 min: Papac breaks clear on the left but chooses to cut back on to his right foot and his cross is cut out.

13 min: Gers break well but Kirk Broadfoot’s final ball is poor. It eventually breaks back to Davis but he’s caught offside as he looks to latch on to a quick one-two.

12 min: Rangers are enjoying the bulk of possession in the Kilmarnock half but have yet to really open up the visiting defence. When Killie do win the ball the home defence are dealing with it comfortably.

10 min: Papac picks out the run of Miller and the striker’s first touch is good but Ford does well to come across and clear for a throw in.

7 min: Sasa Papac wins a free kick just inside the Killie half and picks out Pedro Mendes with the set piece. The Portuguese slides a pass to Boyd but the forward’s effort is comfortably taken by Combe.

6 min: Jamie Hamill has the visitors’ first effort on goal but his shot flies high over Allan McGregor’s goal.

5 min: Boyd does well to hold the ball up and lay it off to Steven Davis, who finds Kirk Broadfoot sprinting down the right. The big defenders cross is early and low but Alan Combe gathers it easily.

3 min: Kris Boyd gets his first shot on target. The Gers No.9 is seeking his 13th goal against his old club this afternoon. His shot was enough to lift a strangely muted Ibrox.

2 min: Kenny Miller – who looked back to his old self in Forfar on Wednesday – chases down a long ball from Fleck and forces Simon Ford in to an error. Nobody in support of the front man though.

0 min: Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller get the game started for Rangers.

TEAMS

Rangers: McGregor; Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac; Davis, Ferguson, Mendes, Fleck; Miller, Boyd.
Subs: Alexander, Edu, Naismith, Dailly, Lafferty, Whiitaker, Aaron.

Kilmarnock: Combe; Lilley, Ford, Wright, Hay; Murray, Pascali, Bryson, Skelton, Hamill; Kyle.
Subs: Rascle, Taouil, Gibson, O’Leary, Flannigan, Sammon, Anson.

FT – Forfar 0-4 Rangers. It’s all over and it was really comfortable for Rangers in the end on what was a decent night overall. Injuries to McCulloch and Beasley soured a good win which saw Aaron score his first for the club and Kenny Miller grab a much-needed brace.

89 mins – GOAL! Miller grabs his second of the night with a well-worked goal. Aaron plays a short corner to Davis and he clips to Lafferty at the back post. He then heads down and Miller nods in from two yards. That’s 4-0 to Rangers now and they’ll meet Hamilton in the quarter-finals.

87 mins - Forfar make their last change as the fans start heading for the exits. Gordon is replaced by Barry Donnachie. Referee Smith flashes another yellow at home substitute McGuigan.

86 mins - The on-loan Valencia winger’s confidence is soaring as he tries to hit the target from fully 40 yards with a free kick. The effort only gets as far as the wall but it’s great to Aaron taking responsibility.

84 mins – GOAL! Spaniard Aaron gets his first goal for the club as he bursts clear to latch on to Lafferty’s pass and slots past Brown. The youngster relishes the moment and rips his shirt off in delight, earning a booking as a result.

83 mins - Aaron, having just been pushed in the face, is really getting at Forfar and cuts in from the left wing once more. This time, however, his shot trundles into Brown’s arms.

81 mins - Rangers try to break clear from defence and Miller finds himself with only Brown to beat but his lob isn’t quite high enough and the keeper grabs the ball gratefully.

80 mins - Aaron makes a positive cross-field run and feeds Naismith, whose effort hits the target but is well held by Brown. It’s a decent opportunity.

78 mins - Naismith tries to make his mark with a flashing header after Bougherra’s cross but the ball goes past everyone and goes out for a goal kick. Seconds later, McCulloch limps off with an injury and Steven Davis replaces him for the final few minutes.

74 mins - Forfar make a double substitution as they try to keep the score down. Off go Brady and Winter, with Martin Fotheringham and Mark McGuigan coming on.

69 mins - It’s a straight red card for Elliot Smith as he makes a really bad challenge on Beasley. He appears to have gone in with two feet and Gers doctor Paul Jackson needs to come on and give the American treatment. Spanish winger Aaron comes on in Beasley’s place to make his second competitive appearance for the club.

64 mins - Rangers make their first change as Boyd makes way for Kyle Lafferty. This is another chance for the Northern Ireland star up front after his lone cameo in attack against Celtic at the weekend.

58 mins - Papac goes into the book after a late foul on Gordon and it’s a chance for Forfar to get the ball into the box from the free kick but they don’t take it.

53 mins – GOAL! Miller strikes for the first time in two months as he takes advantage of a poor defensive clearance. Edu dummies and it seems the chance is gone but the ball is only scrambled away to Miller, who takes one touch then sends a half-volley into the net. At 2-0, it seems there’s no way back for Forfar now.

52 mins - Beasley has a go himself after getting more joy on the right but Brown stands up well to it and smothers at the second attempt.

50 mins - Boyd thinks he has made it 2-0 but it’s despair as assistant referee Terry Brunton flags him offside after a good touch from Beasley.

49 mins - Madjid Bougherra gives away a free kick 30 yards out but fortunately for him, Stephen McNally almost boots the ball out of the ground.

46 mins - The game gets underway again and Rangers stick with the same team that started the match, although Naismith and Beasley have switched flanks.

HT – Forfar 0-1 Rangers. It’s Gers who lead by a single goal at the halfway point and there’s little doubt they deserve to be in front. They’ve dominated most of the game so far and home keeper Brown has undoubtedly played his part in keeping the score down.

42 mins - Poor miss from Boyd. Papac lifts into the box at the second attempt and the 23-goal forward gets on the end of his cross but he totally miscues and screws wide.

41 mins - Darren Brady is booked for a late foul on McCulloch and rightly so. It’s an untidy challenge and he deserves to go in the book.

39 mins - Miller goes so close! He hits the target with a wonderful overhead kick after Boyd’s knockdown but Brown’s save is every bit as good. It was a fantastic effort but the keeper keeps his team in the tie. McCulloch sends the rebound over.

36 mins - Andy Tod nearly makes it 1-1 from a corner – the ball is only cleared as far as the former Dunfermline defender and his shot loops behind for another corner as Whittaker deflects it away. When the ball comes in again, it’s Tod once more who meets it and he heads wide.

34 mins - Gordon slides in on Beasley from behind and it’s a free kick on the left. Naismith puts a deep ball into the area but Brown comes out to claim it with comfort.

29 mins - Good save from Forfar’s Brown. Beasley is the man who stings his hands with a ferocious drive as he seeks his first competitive goal of the season, rifling in from 15 yards, and he’s unlucky to see it blocked.

27 mins - Papac is penalised again, this time for a collision with Campbell. Winter swings it in but Boyd hoofs out of play for a throw 40 yards up the park.

24 mins - Stephen Tulloch receives the first booking of the night as he is punished for a late challenge on DaMarcus Beasley.

22 mins - Mo Edu is caught in possession and although he probably has a case as he appeals for a free kick, it is waved away by referee Eddie Smith and Ross Campbell tries his luck from distance but his shot drifts well away from the frame.

20 mins - As you’d expect, the visitors are dominating and both Miller and Whittaker are on target but each sees his effort blocked by home players.

18 mins - Good interplay involving Miller, Naismith and Boyd gives Rangers a good opportunity to double their lead but Boyd’s header is held by home keeper Alistair Brown.

15 mins - There are sarcastic cheers as one of the portable floodlights brought in for the game goes out. There’s no sign of it coming back on too quickly.

11 mins - Kris Boyd catches sight of goal for the first time as they line up a free kick and Lee McCulloch rolls to him but his drive from 25 yards is charged down.

10 mins - Steven Naismith almost makes it 2-0 with a good move. Miller and Papac link up again on the left and the latter slides low into the box with Naisy lurking. He connects well but a fantastic sliding tackle by Elliot Smith denies him.

7 mins – GOAL! Papac makes up for that mistake with his second goal of the season. Kenny Miller supplies the assist after a jinking run and the Bosnian’s finish is cool, much like his equaliser in the recent friendly with AC Milan.

5 mins - Sasa Papac gives away a free kick in a dangerous area as he shoves Kevin Gordon over. Craig Winter delivers it but his ball poses little threat.

2 mins - The first corner of the night goes Gers’ way after Steven Whittaker’s cross is deflected behjind for a corner. The set piece comes in and is only cleared as far as the full-back, whose half volley from 20 yards goes just past the post.

0 min - Forfar get the game underway with Rangers, captained tonight by David Weir in Barry Ferguson’s absence, shooting towards their own fans.

FORFAR: Brown, McNally, Smith, Winter, Tod, Tulloch, Gordon, Brady, Lilley, Campbell, G Gibson.

Subs: Donnachie, Kilgannon, Fotheringham, McGuigan, J Gibson.

RANGERS: McGregor; Whittaker, Weir, Bougherra, Papac; Naismith, Edu, McCulloch, Beasley; Miller, Boyd.

Subs: Alexander, Dailly, Lafferty, Aaron, Davis.

Referee: Eddie Smith.

FT - It’s full-time and home fans boo as the final whistle blows. In truth, they were fortunate to escape with a point as Rangers were by far the better side in a much better second half and with

 a bit more luck in front of goal, thjey might have won this one. The remain two points off the top of the league but will feel confident of claiming the title going into the final third of the

 campaign.

88 mins - Nakamura goes down under Naismith’s challenge and a soft free kick is given. This is

 a good chance for Celtic 25 yards from goal and the Japanese midfielder lines it up. Mendes is booked as the wall fails to retreat and although McGregor spills the shot, the visitors clear. 

87 mins - With the clock ticking down, it’s Rangers who fancy their chances most but their move forward is nipped in the bud as McCulloch is carded for a late challenge.

85 mins - Brown’s part in the game is over as he fails to recover from the clash with McGregor. Marc Crosas takes his place.

84 mins - Rangers are livid as Ferguson and Bougherra track Samaras, who runs the ball out of play yet sees a corner given. The captain is furious and his reaction earns him a booking.

79 mins - Great save from Boruc as he makes a point-blank stop from David Weir when he heads goalwards from a corner. Things are hotting up a bit now and there’s every chance we’ll have a winner for someone before the end as Celtic look to strike on the break.

76 mins - Naismith gets tangled up with Scott Brown and there appears to be little on the collision but there’s a bit of afters and that leads to yellows for both from Murray.

73 mins - Lafferty, injured a few moments ago, goes down again with a knee injury and comes off. In a straight swap, he is replaced by Steven Naismith.

69 mins - Good chance for Miller to score but after a great backheel from Davis but he sends it well wide. Nevertheless, the Light Blues are definitely on top just now and their change seems to be making more of an impact than the two Celtic have made.

66 mins - Hartley joins Vennegoor of Hesselink in the book for dissent when Murray gives a free kick Gers’ way after Ferguson is fouled in midfield.

65 mins - Murray curiously gives a corner to Celtic when it appears that they put the ball out. Hartley takes it bnut Rangers clear well and hit their opponents on the counter, with Davis only just failing to make the most of Miller’s good run down the right.

62 mins - Celtic are next to make changes, with Georgis Samaras and Aiden McGeady coming on. They replace Vennegoor of Hesselink and Flood.

60 mins - Rangers make their first change of the afternoon, with Fleck coming off after a good shift on the left side. He is replaced by Kenny Miller, the hero here in the last derby at Parkhead back in August.

59 mins - It’s a great knockdown from Lafferty for Ferguson but the ball gets caught under his feet and lifts over the woodwork.

57 mins - Great footwork from Davis gives Lafferty his chance but the angle isn’t great for him and his on-target shot is easily held by Boruc.

55 mins - Rangers are starting to take charge again and are pressing well. They still can’t produce much up front but look fairly comfortable in possession.

51 mins - Bougherra does brilliantly to twist away from two men and when he sends a left-footed cross in from the right, Boruc has to dive to tip a certain McManus own goal behind. Ferguson shoots just wide when the rebound from the corner comes his way 18 yards out.

49 mins - Bougherra is ruled to have fouled McDonald in the left corner when he seemed to put the ball out for a throw. Thnafully the free kick awarded comes to nothing.

47 mins - Hartley tries his luck again and although he’s closer this time, he still can’t hit the target as his half volley screws well past the post.

46 mins - After the teams re-emerge from the tunnel, Celtic get play going again through McDonald and Vennegoor of Hesselink.

HT – Celtic 0-0 Rangers. Referee Murray blows the half-time whistle and it really has been a quiet first 45 minutes. Each side has had a spell of better possession but shots on goal are few and far between and it’s no surprise it remains level. Here’s hoping for an improved second period.

38 mins - Hartley registers the first shot on goal and when it takes 38 minutes to come, that sums up the kind of game we’re seeing. His attempt is typical of the way things have gone so far too - it rises well over the upright.

35 mins - A deep cross comes into the box as Celtic look to make the breakthrough and Allan McGregor claims well. After gathering, Vennegoor of Hesselink goes in on the keeper and is cautioned for the infringement.

33 mins - Good play from both Davis and Fleck sees the ball end up with Broadfoot on the right. Hinkel chests his cross away and despite Boruc’s acrobatic dive, it gives Rangers their first corner but they waste it.

28 mins - Fleck is a little over-eager going into the tackle and brings Flood down in the right corner. Nakamura smacks the resulting free kick straight into the youngster and earns a corner but Rangers manage to clear it. Celtic are starting to enjoy more of the ball.

27 mins - Madjid Bougherra tries to take matters into his own hands with one of those runs from defence he’s quickly becoming known for. This time, however, his cross in from the right sails well over.

24 mins - Ferguson and Mendes combine to intercept a Paul Hartley pass but then give the ball away again and that sums up the way the game is going at the moment. Gers’ bright spell has passed and it’s a bit scrappy for both teams now.

21 mins - The same applies to Lee McCulloch, who is fortunate to escape a yellow card when he trips Lee Naylor. It’s only a matter of time now before the book comes out.

20 mins - Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink clashes with Sasa Papac and after a couple of fouls earlier, earns a word from referee Calum Murray for his troubles. It seems one more of them might lead to a booking.

15 mins - Celtic miss a great chance to take the lead. Shunsuke Nakamura comes forward with purpose and feeds Willo Flood on the right. He gets clear of Fleck and crosses to Scott McDonald, who gets a touch on the ball a couple of yards out but somehow glances wide.

13 mins - Both sides have settled down a bit now and Rangers are starting to come into the game a bit more, enjoying plenty of possession but not yet catching sight of Boruc’s frame.

7 mins - Scott Brown chops down Steven Davis in the central channel and is lucky to get away without a booking. The free kick comes to nothing as Brown himself clears and it remains 0-0. Rangers have made a decent start and look composed.

3 mins - John Fleck catches sight of the ball for the first time and crosses. Although Artur Boruc flaps, his defence is able to keep the ball away from the goal.

0 min - Rangers get the game underway through Barry Ferguson and Pedro Mendes and are shooting from towards the Celtic end of the ground.

CELTIC: Boruc; Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor; Flood, S Brown, Hartley, Nakamura; McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Subs: M Brown, McGeady, Samaras, Loovens, O’Dea, Croasas, Hutchinson.

RANGERS: McGregor; Broadfoot, Weir, Bougherra, Papac; McCulloch; Davis, Mendes, Ferguson, Fleck; Lafferty.

Subs: Alexander, Naismith, Edu, Whittaker, Miller, Boyd, Aaron .

Referee: Calum Murray.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjvSi-ejiG4&NR=1]

FT: Rangers 2 AC MIlan 2 

85min - Velicka is brought down 25 yards from goal and Aaron swerves a delightful free-kick which has Dida scrambling across his goal. Terrific effort from the confident Spaniard.

82min – GOAL! Rangers 2 AC Milan 2 - Sasa Papac bags his second goal for Rangers, albeit not a competitive one! The left back is found by Aaron darting into the Milan 18-yard box and slots the ball calmly past Dida. Great composure from the Bosnian.

80min – Rangers substitution - Kris Boyd on for Lee McCulloch.

77min – GOAL! Rangers 1 AC Milan 2 - Exceptional goal from Kaka. Brazilian used his lightning pace to get by Davis before drilling a low shot from 18-yards beyond Alexander. What you would expect from a player recently linked with a £100million move to Man City! 

74min – Double substitution - Steven Davis on for Mo Edu and Michelangelo Albertazzi on for Luca Antonini. 

72min - Great passage of play from Milan results in Pirlo dinking a beautiful pass to Pato. McGregor does exceptionally well to save the Brazilian’s point blank effort.

69min – GOAL! Rangers 1 AC Milan 1 - Kaka takes the ball past Whittaker and squares it. Dailly intercepts but the ball rebounds off Whittaker and breaks to Pato who fires the ball in to an empty net. 

67min – AC Milan substitution - Brazilian superstar Pato on for Andriy Shevchenko.

66min - Kaka tries his luck with a swerving 30 yard shot but it was never going to trouble Alexander. Seedorf, however, is starting to show his undoubted quality.

64min – GOAL! Rangers 1 AC Milan 0 -  Edu plays a long ball to DaMarcus Beasley and the American makes the most of a defensive mix-up before prodding the ball home from 12 yards. Good persistance from Beasley.

62min - Seedorf skins Whittaker with a step-over before blasting a long-range shot high and wide past Alexander’s goal.

60min – AC Mialn substitiuions - Jankulovski, Kaka and Mathias Cardacio on for Mathieu Flamini, Ronaldinho and Felipe Mattioni. Great to see Kaka and the Brazilian receives a warm welcome from the Ibrox faithful.

59min - Rangers substitution - Aaron on for Steven Naismith. 

55min - Aaron has his training kit off and looks set to join the action. Kenny McDowall is giving the youngster instructions.

54min - The answer is no. His effort hits the Gers’ defensive wall and the ball is cleared. 

53min - Dailly brings down Ronaldinho 25 yards from goal with a rash challenge. The Brazilian takes but can he score?

50min - Aaron is warming up alone in front of the Main Stand. It would be good to see the Spanish winger on a night like this and he looks eager to get on.

48min - First real moment of quality from Shevchenko. The Milan legend cuts inside from the right but his low shot is well held by Alexander.

46min - AC Milan get the second-half started. Senderos and Beckham off for Milan and replaced by Seedorf and Matteo Darmian. Alexander, Dailly, Beasley, Velicka, Ferguson and Broadfoot on and McGregor, Weir, Bougherra, Lafferty, Fleck and Mendes taken off for Gers.  

HT: Rangers 0 AC Milan 0 - First-half has been a tight affair. Milan have shown their quality, most notably from Beckham and Ronaldinho, while Fleck remains Rangers most influential player on the night. Changes expected at the interval.

40min - The game remains level at this stage and in truth neither team has really dominated proceedings. Fleck, Mendes and Edu have been stand-outs for Gers so far.

34min - Fleck is showing no signs of nerves on such a big occasion. Once again the 17-year-old drills a cross in to the danger area and when it falls to Mendes 25-yards from goal his is inches wide. Good spell for the home side.

31min - Edu crosses deep from the left and Mattioni clears for a corner. Mendes takes but his cross fails to beat the first man. Poor delivery from the Portuguese star.

29min - Best moment of the game falls to the impressive Fleck. Mendes slides the ball to the youngster on the right and his low shot across goal is well saved by Dida. Good chance for the youngster who exudes confidence.

23min - Free-kick awarded for a foul on Ronaldinho 25 yards from goal. Beckham steps up as expected but Ronaldinho takes and the ball smashes off McGregor’s right hand post. Brilliant effort.

22min - Beckham plays a trademark 40-yard pass to Inzaghi but the striker’s touch is poor and the attack grinds to a halt.

20min - Pretty even game so far. Both teams playing some good football with Edu a stand-out  for Gers in the early stages.

16min - Corner for Gers after good play from Whittaker. Fleck crosses to the near post and McCulloch bullets a header which Dida does brilliantly to parry away from goal.

15min - Ronaldinho flicks a beautiful pass through to Inzaghi who was not ruled offside. The poacher supreme took one touch but his shot was smothered by McGregor. Let-off for Gers.

13min - Fleck crosses from the left and Lafferty powers a header over Dida’s bar. Good play from the home team.

10min - Mendes tries a long range effort which is deflected wide for another Gers corner. Dida, however, easily gathers the cross.

8min - John Fleck shows a bit too much commitment with a crunching challenge on Mattioni. Ref William Collum decides to leave his cards in his pocket on this occasion.

6min - Antonini heads a John Fleck cross away for a Gers corner. Nothing comes from the resulting cross.

4min - Slow start from both teams but Edu has shown a couple of nice touches to the delight of the home support.

1min - Change to the Gers formation with Lafferty up top as a lone striker and Lee McCulloch sitting behind Edu and Mendes in the centre of a five man midfield.

0min - Rangers get the action underway. Big test for Walter Smith’s men at Ibrox tonight.

RANGERS (4-5-1): McGregor; Whittaker, Weir, Bougherra, Papac; Naismith, Edu, McCulloch, Mendes, Fleck; Lafferty

Subs: Alexander, Ferguson, Boyd, Miller, Beasley, Broadfoot, Dailly, Aaron, Velicka, Davis

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Dida; Mattioni, Da Silva, Senderos, Antonini; Beckham, Flamini, Pirlo; Ronaldinho, Inzaghi, Shevchenko

Subs: Donnarumma, Darmian, Jankulovski, Albertazzi, Seedorf, Strasser, Kaka, Cardacio,

90 + 3: GOAL! – Rangers 2 v 0 Dundee Utd
McCoist doesn’t seem quite so concerned about the added time now as Miller plays in Ferguson and Lafferty latches on to Zaluska’s clearance to guide the ball home from 25 yards in to an unguarded net.

90 + 2: Davis picks out his international colleague in the box, but Lafferty can only fire at the keeper.

90 min: The 4th official indicates four minutes of stoppage time. Let’s just say Ally McCoist doesn’t entirely agree with that call, and makes Crawford Allan aware just how he feels.

89 min: Broadfoot get clear in the box but can’t pick out Miller or Lafferty in the middle with his low cross.

86 min: Goodwillie is involved again as he hauls down Whittaker and unleashes a volley of complaint at the official when he’s penalised.

85 min: Mendes and Goodwillie clash in the corner and the Portuguese is not happy with the United man’s reaction.

83 min: Davis, still full or energy, breaks free again and releases Miller who sees his shot well blocked by Zaluska.

80 min: Miller collects a ball from Mendes on the left and bursts toward the box, but with Davis busting a gut to get there in support Miller is crowded out and the ball is out for a goal kick.

79 min: SUBSTITUTION – Dundee Utd
Jon Daly replaces David Robertson for the visitors.

79 min: The United defender almost makes amends when he rises highest from a free kick and heads over.

76 min: GOAL! – Rangers 1 v 0 Dundee Utd
Fleck picks himself up, grabs the ball and refuses to release it to Kyle Lafferty. It’s the right decision as he sends Zaluska the wrong way for his first goal, and what an important one it might be for Rangers.

76 min: PENALTY – Rangers
John Fleck breaks free on the left and wins a spot kick when Kovacevic barges his from behind.

74 min: Lafferty has the ball in the net but the flag was up. It looked another tight call.

73 min: SUBSTITUTION – Rangers
Kris Boyd is the man to be replaced by Lafferty.

71 min: Mendes tries his luck from distance as Kyle Lafferty gets stripped for action on the bench.

69 min: SUBSTITUTION – Dundee Utd
Francisco Sandaza is replaced by David Goodwillie.

65 min: A Whittaker back heel on the edge of the box finds Fleck but the youngster can only curl his effort wide of the upright.

64 min: Bougherra agains breaks forward powerfully on the right and his cross is scooped goalward by Boyd but he can’t get any power on it and Zaluska gathers.

63 min: Aaron, Lafferty and Naismith are all warming up on the sidelines. Is a change coming as Rangers look for a crucial win?

59 min: The Ibrox crowd are getting restless as the last half hour approaches and the match remains goalless.

56 min: SUBSTITUTION – Dundee Utd
Craig Conway is replaced by Danny Swanson. 

53 min: YELLOW CARD – Dundee Utd
Danny Grainger is the first man in the book as he ends Madjid Bougherra’s marauding run down the right. Fleck’s delivery is headed wide by Broadfoot.

52 min: Davis breaks forward in the middle of the park and sends Miller down the right. The sub tries to return the favour for Davis in the box, but United do enough to stop him.

51 min: Boyd is again flagged for offside with the home side finding it difficult to get behind the visitors’ back line.

48 min: Pedro Mendes is down after taking a blow to the head in his own box. After lengthy treatment he’s up and ready to come back on.

46 min: Miller and Boyd get the second half started.

HT: Rangers 0 v 0 Dundee Utd

44 min: Davis over runs the ball as he cuts in from the right and time is running out for Rangers to find a breakthrough before the break.

42 min: Novo disappears straight up the tunnel for treatment.

41 min: SUBSTITUTION – Rangers
Novo chases another lost cause in to the left channel and pulls up on the touchline. Kenny Miller is the man to replace him.

38 min: Fleck switches the ball to Davis on the opposite wing and the Northern Ireland man wins a corner. Fleck’s delivery is headed wide by Boyd.

35 min: Whittaker fouls Grainger on the Rangers right but Conway’s free kick leads to Kenneth fouling in the box and the home side clear.

34 min: Broadfoot skews a clearance straight in to the air and causes panic in the Rangers box, before the ball is finally cleared.

32 min: The corner finds Weir, but Broadfoot blocks his defensive partner’s shot.

31 min: Boyd wins the battle with Kenneth in the air and the knock down is pounced on by Fleck, whose left footed drive is tipped over by Zaluska.

29 min: Novo turns Dods inside out on the right and eventually earns a free kick when the centre half blocks him. Fleck delivers the free kick and Ferguson’s shot is well blocked.

25 min: Fleck takes on Kovacevic on the left and when it looks like the United man has got the better of him, Fleck forces him in to an error to earn a throw deep in the United half.

24 min: Grainger swings a corner in to the arms of Allan McGregor and the keeper throws out to start a break for Rangers that ends with Boyd curling wide.

19 min: Mendes attempts another through ball and Novo and Boyd both pull up expecting a flag that doesn’t come and the ball runs comfortably through to Zaluska.

17 min: Bougherra strides up the right side and looks to release Novo, but the flag is up quickly again. That was a tight one and Novo is not impressed.

16 min: Fleck does well to control a high ball and bursts towards the United box. His ball to Novo is deflected and it’s enough to stop the Spaniard getting a clean shot at it.

13 min: Davie Weir puts his keeper in trouble with a strong pass back, but McGregor does enough to knock the ball away from Sandaza.

12 min: Grainger slips with Novo and Mendes baring down on him but he recovers quickly enough to thwart the danger.

8 min: Sandaza disposses Broadfoot and makes his way in to the Rangers box, but he overruns the ball and it’s a goal kick to the home side.

7 min: Davie Weir launches a ball towards Novo, but the front man is flagged offside.

5 min: Fleck turns inside on the left and plays in Davis who advances on the right and tries to roll in Novo, but Grainger gets over well to block.

3 min: Boyd is flagged for offside in the right channel as he tries to latch on to Davis’ through ball.

2 min: Neat play from Mendes finds Novo and the No.10 plays in Davis in the box, his cross is blocked and the crowd appeal for a penalty.

1 min: Kris Boyd wins a free kick when Darren Dods climbs all over him as they battle for a long ball.

0 min: Dundee United get the match under way at Ibrox.

TEAMS
Rangers: McGregor; Whittaker, Bougherra, Weir, Broadfoot; Davis, Ferguson, Mendes, Fleck; Boyd, Novo.
Subs: Alexander, Papac, McCulloch, Naismith, Miller, Lafferty, Aaron.

Dundee Utd: Zaluska; Kovacevic, Dods, Kenneth, Grainger; Robertson, Buaben, Gomis, Conway; Feeney, Sandaza.
Subs: McGovern, Dillon, Daly, Swanson, Shala, Dixon, Goodwillie.

FT: Rangers 3 Falkirk 0 – Rangers progress to the final of the CIS Cup thanks to a first-half double from Nacho Novo and a third goal from Kris Boyd at the death.

88min – GOAL! Rangers 3 Falkirk 0 - Kris Boyd makes it three and what a gift it was. Mallo recieved a pass back but tried a mazy dribble past the striker who made an easy tackle before rolling it in to the empty net.

86min – Rangers substitution - McCulloch on for Barry Ferguson.

84min - Rangers playing some great football on a dodgy surface but Walter Smith looks to be bring on Lee McCulloch for the latter stages.

81min - Boyd lays the ball back to Novo but the Spaniards 25yard shot is high and wide.

78min - Fleck immediately gets on the ball with a darting run down the left. The 17-year-old plays in Boyd who has his back to goal but his turn and shot is blocked. 

77min – Rangers substitution - John Fleck on for Steven Naismith. Lively performance from Naisy and he is given a warm applause from the Rangers fans. 

70min – Falkirk substitution - Mark Stewart on for Patrick Cregg.

68min - Novo again finds space down the right and this time he crosses for Boyd at the back post. The striker tries a bicycle kick but the ball bounces once before skimming off the roof of Mallo’s net.

66min - Sasa Papac slides in to a tackle and comes off worst when he takes a nasty hit to his face from the boot of McNamara. He is quickly back on his feet and in to the thick of the action.

63 min - Steven Davis skips past four Falkirk players in a 40 yard run before toe poking the ball inches past Mallo’s right hand post from 15yards. Terrific energy from the Northern Ireland international.

59min – Falkirk substitution - Michael Higdon on for Lee Bullen.

59min - Sasa Papac shows great skill to cut inside his marker but his right-foot shot from 20 yards is skewed well wide of goal.

55 min - Darren Barr is the second player to go in Richmond’s book after a poor challenge on Naismith.

52min - McGregor has to be lively to tip a Barr header over his own bar!

48min - Mendes takes a corner and again he goes low to the near post. The ball is easily cleared, better delivery required.

47min - Mendes releases Novo down the right wing. He shoots from 30 yards but fails to see Kris Boyd in acres of space. He should have squared it.

46min - Falkirk get the second-half started and immediately go on the attack.

HT: Rangers 2 Falkirk 0 - A double from Nacho Novo has given Rangers a half-time lead at Hampden.

43min - Pressley is shown the first yellow card. The defender had his elbow up when challenging Boyd for header. Looked a sore one for Boydy.

39min – GOAL! Rangers 2 Falkirk 0 - It’s that man Novo again! Steven Davis plays a perfect pass through to his teammate and the striker has time to look up before placing an excellent shot across Mallo in to the net. Terrific goal before half-time.

36min - Novo is again hacked to the ground this time by Pressley 20 yards from goal. Great chance for Gers but Boyd’s rocket smashes against the Falkirk wall. 

34min - Mendes tries a long rage shot and the ball comes off a Falkirk defender for a corner. The Portuguese star takes, again near post, but McCann gets plenty of distance on his headed clearance.

30min - A third of the game gone and Rangers are handling the poor surface better that their opponents. Falkirk, however, remain a threat and a second goal before the interval would be the perfect scenario for Walter Smith’s men.

28min - Steven Naismith wins a corner for Gers. Mendes again curls a near post cross which is cleared and Naismith volleys a terrific right-foot shot which is narrowly wide of target.

24min - Despite Rangers’ narrow lead Falkirk look dangerous on the break and have stuck to their passing game. Bougherra and Weir need to stay alert.

23min - Novo skins Pressley on the right. He has time to look up but his bullet cross almost takes Boyd’s head off and is impossible for the striker to control.

20min - Charlie Richmond awards Falkirk a free-kick on the right wing after Naismith tackles Cregg. The cross goes deep but McGregor holds it brilliantly under pressure from Pressley.

17min - Neil McCann finds space on the left wing but the ball bobbles up and his poor cross ends up behind McGregor’s goal. The former Gers’ man looks at the turf with frustration.

16min - Broadfoot plays a clever pass through to Novo on the right flank. The Gers’ No. 10 cuts the ball back but Steven Naismith sclaffs his effort and the danger is cleared.  

13 min - Novo again gets space to turn at the Falkirk defence. He decides to let fly from 30 yards but his shot hits the head of on-rushing Pedro Mendes and deflects over the bar, Good spell for Gers.

10min - Goal has shocked the Bairns who started the game so positively.

8min – GOAL! Rangers 1 Falkirk 0 - Mendes drills a low corner into the penalty area. Bougherra flicks it on and the ball finds Novo at the back post who fires it home from five yards. Positive start for the Spaniard who is starting his first game since January 4 at Inverness.

7min - Rangers try to respond and a neat one-two between Boyd and Novo results in a corner.

5min - Broadfoot loses the ball to Patrick Cregg who plays in Lovell 25 yards from goal. The striker tries to swerve a shot to the opposite bottom corner of McGregor’s goal but the keeper is there again to make a fine one-handed stop.

2min - Great early chance for Lovell. McCann, playing on the left, finds the striker with a terrific pass and McGregor has to be sharp to make a stop the goalbound effort with his legs. An identical chance to the one Lovell tucked away at Ibrox. Poor defending from Gers.

1min - Pedro Mendes tries an ambitious volley from 25 yards which trickles past Dani Mallo’s goal.

0min - Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo get tonight’s game underway from the kick-off. Gers wearing their all red kit.

RANGERS: McGregor; Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac; Davis, Mendes, Ferguson, Naismith; Novo, Boyd.

SUBS: Alexander, Miller, McCulloch, Fleck, McCulloch.

FALKIRK: Mallo; McNamara, Barr, Pressley, Bullen, Scobbie; Cregg, McBride, Arfield, McCann; Lovell.

SUBS: Olejnik, O’Brien, Holden, Higdon, Stewart.

Ref: Charlie Richmond

FT: Aberdeen 0 v 0 Rangers
Rangers pass up the opportunity to take the SPL lead with a 0-0 draw at Pittodrie in what was a disappointing match in terms of quality.

90 + 4 m: Ferguson tries to find Novo, but his pass is too heavy and that’s the last action of the game.

90 + 2m: Bougherra tries to find that goal, but this long range effort flies over after he slips as he hits the ball. 

90 min: 4 minutes of added time remain for either side to find a winner.

88 min: Darren Mackie gets his head to Charlie Mulgrew’s free kick and McGregor is relieved to see it float wide, and not in to the corner, of his net.

86 min: Papac’s floated cross finds Boyd, whose header is blocked by Severin. Boyd claims for hand ball, but it’s a muted call.

84 min: Novo beats Foster and the back post but his effort sneaks wide of the post.

80 min: SUBSTITUTION – Aberdeen
Chris Maguire replaces Sone Aluko.

79 min: Mulgrew covers his back post well as Boyd is lurking in search of Davis’s teasing cross.

77 min: McCulloch fires a left foot shot well over the bar from a little over 25 yards out.

76 min: SUBSTITUTION – Rangers
Nacho Novo replaces John Fleck, who has had a quiet second half after another positive outing in the first.

71 min: Bougherra finds Ferguson on the right and the captain’s low cross is just out of reach of the advancing Kris Boyd.

70 min: Mulgrew tries his luck from distance but he doesn’t catch the volley well and it trundles to a waiting Allan McGregor.

68 min: YELLOW CARD – Aberdeen
McDonald collects a silly caution for handling the ball in the Rangers box when there was little chance of him reaching the ball.

67 min: A quarter of the game left as Rangers go in search of a goal that could take them back to the top of the SPL table.

66 min: YELLOW CARD – Rangers
Lee McCulloch is the first name to go in the book as he picks up a yellow for a foul on Gary McDonald.

63 min: SUBSTITUTION – Aberdeen
Javan Vidal replaces Stuart Duff.

62 min: SUBSTITUTION - Rangers
Kris Boyd replaces Kenny Miller.

60 min: Cries go up among the homes support for a penalty as Lee Miller goes down in the box under a challenge from Davie Weir.

57 min: Aluko is a threat to Papac, but the Bosnian has done well to contain him in the second half.

53 min: Kenny Miller does well down the right channel with Severin blocking him for a throw deep in the Aberdeen half.

51 min: SUBSTITUTION – Aberdeen
Langfield can’t continue and is replaced by Frenchman Bertrand Bossu.

49 min: Broadfoot does well on the right and looks for Miller in the middle but Langfield gets down well to smother the cross. Miller catches him and and the keeper is down getting treatment.

48 min: Mendes collects a loose ball and cuts inside to try a left footed effort that is well blocked by Diamond.

47 min: Kerr impedes Mendes in the middle of the park, but the free kick comes to nothing for the visitors.

46 min: Mendes and Ferguson get the game under way again.

HT: Aberdeen 0 v 0 Rangers

45 min: Once again Fleck shows why he has been given responsibility for set pieces from the right as he swings another lovely left footed effort on to the head of Madjid Bougherra, who perhaps should have done better.

43 min: Davis is penalised for a foul on Lee Miller but Mulgrew’s free kick is a simple one for McGregor to handle.

42 min: Fleck collects the ball 25 yards out but faces a crowded Dons defensive area. He opts to lay off to Mendes but Langfield holds the Portuguese midfielder’s shot comfortably.

39 min: Aluko steps by Broadfoot and swings in a cross that drifts behind McGregor’s goal.

35 min: Broadfoot again in an advanced position knocks the ball through Duff’s legs and is fouled by the midfielder. Fleck’s delivery breaks for Bougherra and his effort is deflected behind for a corner. Fleck’s delivery is again good but Langfield gets up well to punch clear.

33 min: Broadfoot swings an inviting ball in to the middle, but Miller is stretching to reach it with his head, when Mendes behind him may have been a better option.

32 min: Mendes tries to slip a ball through for Davis and is caught late by Mark Kerr, after pausing to see if there was an advantage, the ref pulls play back for a free kick. It’s a wasted opportunity for the visitors though.

28 min: McCulloch’s shot is palmed in to the six yard box by Langfield and with Miller closing in the flag goes up again. Ferguson and Diamond clash in the aftermath, but both escape with a talking to from Calum Murray.

27 min: Mackie’s ball to Gary McDonald sees the Aberdeen man challenging with Kirk Broadfoot, but he puts his header over McGregor’s bar for a goal kick to Rangers.

26 min: The home side win another corner on the left but Weir is equal to Mulgrew’s delivery and heads powerfully clear.

23 min: Fleck breaks with Davis, but with the Northern Ireland man fre on the left, Fleck elects to come inside, and it’s the wrong choice as Aberdeen get back in numbers to clear.

19 min: Broadfoot breaks after another good challenge from Papac and the full back feeds Fleck again on the left, but once more the 17-year-old’s effort is too high to trouble Langfield.

17 min: Fleck’s inswinging corner is a dangerous one, but the home side clear. Another corner from the opposite side is well gathered by Langfield who sets Aluko on a chase at the other end. Papac does well to clear the danger for the visitors.

16 min: Davis and Miller combine to give Ferguson a chance to shoot from the edge of the box, but Diamond throws himself in the way to block the ball for a corner.

14 min: Severin and Miller clash and the Ragners forward seems to come off worse. He’s receiving treatment from Pip Yeates, but looks ok to return to the action.

13 min: Darren Mackie tries his luck from distance, but McGregor gathers the ball comfortably in the Rangers goal.

12 min: Ferguson sweeps a ball towards Miller on the left flank, but again the flag goes up to halt the Scotland man’s progress.

10 min: McCulloch goes down after taking a bang to the back of his head in an aerial challenge with Lee Miller. Ref Calum Murray stops play and Aluko returns the ball to McGregor from the drop ball.

8 min: Mulgrew takes the resulting free kick and Allan McGregor gets across his goal well to tip it behind for a corner.

7 min: Weir is caught on the ball by Sone Aluko and McCulloch fouls the Dons midfielder as he covers for his centre half.

6 min: Charlie Mulgrew’s deep corner from the left is simply cleared.

3 min: Ferguson picks the ball up from Sasa Papac and rolls it in to the path of John Fleck on the left side of the box. The youngster tries a snap shot but it’s narrowly over Jamie Langfield’s bar.

2 min: Lee McCulloch has started the match in a deep lying midfield role, sitting just in front of Bougherra and Weir.

1 min: Mendes wins possession in the middle of the park and quickly lofts the ball forward for Miller, but the striker is flagged for offside.

0 min: Aberdeen get the game underway and a bright but cold Pittodrie.

TEAM NEWS
Rangers: McGregor; Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac; Davis, McCulloch, Ferguson, Mendes, Fleck; Miller.
Subs: Alexander, Boyd, Aaron, Whittaker, Novo, Dailly, Ness.

Aberdeen: Langfield; Foster, Severin, Diamond, Mulgrew; McDonald, Kerr, Aluko, Duff; Mackie, Miller.
Subs: Bossu, Wright, Vidal, de Visscher, Mair, Maguire, Considine.

90 + 1 – GOAL - The game is safe now as STEVE DAVIS scores a great third

 goal in injury time as he cuts in from the left and drives a low shot into the net.

89 mins - Mendes steals possession and bursts forward to release Novo whose shot is pushed away for a corner by Olejnik

84 mins – SUB - Stevie Whittaker comes on for goal hero Boyd. Michael Higdon replaces Pressley for Falkirk.

79 mins – GOAL - Relief for Rangers as they grab a second goal and it’s Boyd again. Gers hoped Novo would make an impact and he did when he drove the ball over from the right and Boyd diverted it into the net from close range.

77 mins – RED CARD - Incredibly Papac is sent off for a foul on substitute Stewart with a professional foul on the halfway line. He now misses Pittodrie next week.

74 mins - Fleck is brought down right on the edge of the box. Papac clips the free kick over the bar

72 mins – SUB - Gers make a switch as Nacho Novo replaces Miller. They need a goal and hope the Spaniard can produce one.

71 mins – BOOKING - Scott Arfield gets a yellow for a foul on Fleck.

70 mins – SUB - Mark Stewart comes on for Lovell.

68 mins - Again Mendes is at the heart of the action as he swings a cross to the back post where Broadfoot meets it powerfully with his head but Olejnik pushes the ball wide for a corner.

61 mins - Rangers swarm forward again and Papac gets the ball wide to Fleck who gets away from Holden and delivers a great cross for Boyd but he heads the ball into the ground and Olejnik saves.

60 mins - Mendes shows great skill on the left and tried to curl a shot to the top corner but Olejnik has it covered.

57 mins - Boyd goes down in the box again after a challenge by Bullen but referee Collum says Bullen got the ball first.

51 mins – RED CARD - Falkirk are reduced to 10 men when Patrick Cregg is sent off for a lunging challenge on Mendes just outside the Falkirk box. Mendes recovers and Rangers work the free kick to Boyd but he shoots over the top.

49 mins - Bit of a scare as Holden tries to pick out Lovell but McGregor races from his line to clear the danger.

47 mins - The rain is swirling around Ibrox but Rangers seem in good shape in the early moments of the second half. Fleck tests Olejnik with a rigjht foot shot from just outside the box but the keeper holds it well.

SUB - Dean Holden comes on for McNamara at start of the second half in a like for like swap.

HT - Steven Pressley still wants to argue with referee about the penalty decision and Walter Smith was a word too as the teams go in level

45 mins – PENALTY! - Papac makes a surging run towards the box and slips the ball through to Boyd who is tripped by Darren Barr. GOAL! Boyd makes no mistake as he slams the ball low into the net in first half injury time.

42 mins - It’s all Rangers as they try everything to get back on terms but Falkirk hold firm. Papac tries a long range shot but Olejnik holds it well.

39 mins – Booking - McNamara cautioned for bringing down Fleck to the left of the Falkirk box but Rangers can’t make the free kick count.

36 mins - Miller has another decent chance when Davis picks him out in the right channel but he pulls his shot wide of the left post. A minute later Mendes nearly brings the house down as he just misses the top corner with a fantastic volley after Fleck’s cross was headed out to him.

34 mins - Rangers are screaming for a penalty as Boyd goes down under a challenge from Olejnik after Miller played him in. Miller is booked for protesting but it looks as though the keeper got the ball first.

32 mins - The fans are getting restless as Rangers keep possession well but seem unable to find a way through the tight Falkirk backline but the players keep probing.

26 mins - Finally Rangers get some joy but they are denied by Olejnik. Broadfoot gets to the byline, finds Boyd who touches the ball back to Miller and his right foot shot is brilliantly pushed over the bar by the Falkirk keeper. Rangers do nothing with the corner.

19 mins - Again Fleck shows great maturity as he takes a pass from Broadfoot and finds Kenny Miller outside the box. Miller tried to curl a shot but completely mis-hits it. A minute later he is presented with another chance, this time by Boyd but his first touch lets him down and Bullen gets the ball back to his keeper who clears.

16 mins - Good play again by Fleck as he links well with Ferguson and tries to play in Boyd but the striker strays offside. Rangers need to get going after the early setback.

13 mins - Rangers try to get back into the game right away and Davis whips over a decent cross which is fumbled by keeper Olejnik. Papac tries to hook the ball into the top corner but it flies wide.

11 mins – GOAL! - Disaster for Rangers as they concede a really soft goal. Neil McCann was given time to play a pass through to STEVE LOVELL who got in behind Bougherra and drove a left foot shot which McGregor could not stop from finding the right corner.

9 mins - John Fleck has settled into the game well showing good touches and linking well with Papac but no clear cut chances as yet.

5 mins - Bougherra plays a good ball down the right where Steve Davis whips over a cross forcing McNamara to concede a corner but Falkirk deal with the set piece.

3 mins - Falkirk have started brightly playing a 5-4-1 formation restricting Rangers from getting their passing game going

0 mins - Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd get the match underway

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

Subs: Alexander, Whittaker, Edu, Aaron, Novo, Ness, Velicka.

FALKIRK: Olejnik; McNamara, Pressley, Bullen, Barr, Scobbie; Arfield, Cregg, McBride, McCann; Lovell.

Subs: Barclay, Holden, Riera, Barrett, Higdon, Allison, Stewart.

Ref: Willie Collum