Rangers 4 Crusaders 1

The game was played over three thirty minute periods and with Rangers using almost a completely different squad after the first period so I have split the lineups. Rangers had the bulk of possession during this first period but clear-cut chances were few until Charlie Telfer broke forward on twenty-two minutes before firing narrowly over.

The midfielder was instrumental when Rangers took the lead just before the end of the period, he made progress on the left and made his way to the byline, when he cut the ball back Darren Ramsay was on hand to net from around eight yards. There was still time for the visitor’s to threaten the Rangers goal when a break from midfield saw the effort go narrowly passed Liam Kelly’s left hand post.

Rangers extended their lead five minutes into the second period, the goal again came from the left hand side with Tom Walsh being the architect, taking on the defender and creating space to get his cross in and Scott Roberts came in at the back post to head across the keeper and into the net. The home side then came close to netting a third, Greg Pascazio rose to power Kjeld McIntyre’s corner goalwards but a slight deflection diverted it on to the crossbar and the danger was cleared.

As the game entered the third period Tom Walsh tested the Crusader’s keeper from 25 yards. A minute later a superb piece of skill saw Danny Stoney grab a third, when the ball was played up to him at the edge of the box a turn and neat footwork took him past two defenders and setup a cool finish past the keeper. Rangers fourth came after the turn round in the final period, some neat passing down the left involving Jamie Mills, Ross Kellock and Tom Walsh ended with the later’s cross into the box where Dylan Dykes arrived to knock the ball past the keeper.

The same player then forced a good save from the keeper after cutting in from the left and trying his luck from the edge of the box. The Belfast side got their consolation goal near the end, a free-kick from the left was headed goalwards, Ryan Dunsmuir produced a superb save to turn the ball onto the crossbar but was helpless when the rebound was knocked home from almost on the goal line.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 Crusdaers 1

Rangers 1st Period:- Liam Kelly; Andy Murdoch, Luca Gasparotto ( Kris Gibson 10mins), Stuart Urquhart; Jordan Wilson; Danny Stoney, Darren Ramsay, Fraser Aird, Luke Hammond, Charlie Telfer, Jamie Burrows.

Rangers Squad remainder:- Ryan Dunsmuir (GK), Conner Thomson, Jamie Mills, Kris Gibson, Greg Pascazio, Dean Briggs, Dylan Dykes, Scott Roberts, Tom Walsh, Luke Hammond, Charlie Telfer, Kjeld McIntyre, Scott Lochrie, Danny Stoney, Ross Kellock.

Rangers 6 Ayr United 0

In the afternoon Rangers Under 14′s had a comfortable win over an Ayr United side made up of Under 14′s/U15′s. It was the Ayr side that threatened first in the opening minutes with a break through the inside right channel but the shot was straight at Robbie McCrorie who saved comfortably. The home side took the lead just after the midpoint of the first period, Jamie Barjonas sent Ross McCrorie clear overlapping on the right and when his cross came in it was deflected past the keeper for and Own Goal.

Barely sixty seconds had passed when Rangers increased their lead, Gary McGriesh and Josh Jeffries worked the ball in from the left to Ross Lyon who gave the keeper no chance from around 25 yards. The visitors tried to hit back at the start of the second period with a break from halfway, when the ball was played into the right side of the box it took a good save from Robbie McCrorie low to his left to keep his goal intact.

Rangers were soon back on the attack and Josh Jeffries combined with Greg Taylor to set up a shooting chance for Gary McGreish which the keeper dived to his left to turn wide. With just less than ten minutes of the second period remaining Rangers scored again, Jamie Brandon won the ball near the byline on the right, went past a defender before centering for Ross Lyon who’s shot was blocked but landed nicely for John Cunningham to force home.

The home side grabbed a fourth before the end of the second period, Jamie Brandon and Josh Jeffries combined of the left and from the cross Ross Lyon shot past the keeper from around the penalty spot. Rangers continued to create chances and when Greg Taylor and Josh Jeffries exchanged passes the later looked certain to score until a superb challenge from an Ayr defender deflected the ball over.

Next a Greg Taylor shot landed kindly for John Cunningham inside the six yard box and the visitors keeper produced a great save at point blank range. The goal was only delayed, Josh Jeffries broke from midfield and passed to John Cunningham who’s unselfish return pass setup the midfielder to score.

The home side got their final goal when Ross Lyon played the ball forward to Jamie Barjonas on the right and his cross was headed past the keeper by John Cunningham. Ayr United had a chance to get a consolation goal with a break through the middle, but Robbie McCrorie stayed tall to make the block.

Full-Time:- Rangers 6 Ayr United 0

Rangers:- Robbie McCrorie (GK), Ross McCrorie, Lewis White, Reagan Milne, Jason Krones, Jamie Barjonas, Jack ?????, Ross Lyon, Gary McGreish, Greg Taylor, Josh Jeffries, Jamie Brandon, Cameron Price, John Cunningham.

The Rangers squad that travelled to Turkey was as follows:-  Liam Kelly (GK), Sam George (Gk), Aaron McGregor, Matty Clarke, Kris Gibson, Fraser Aird, Luca Gaparotto, Adel Gafaiti, Jamie Burrows, Jordan Wilson, Andy Murdoch, Lewis McLeod, Robbie McIntyre, Darren Ramsay, Stuart Urquhart, Callum Gallagher, Marc Dyer and Barrie McKay.

It will no doubt be a worthwhile exercise in terms of team bonding and allowing a fair bit of time on the training pitch in decent weather. Although the standard of opposition in the friendly games arranged may prove of little benefit with the youngsters beating local side Mahmutlar 10-0 on Saturday, the goals coming from Barrie McKay (4), Darren Ramsay (2), Lewis McLeod, Callum Gallagher, Fraser Aird and Jamie Burrows.

The opposition two years ago included Azerbaijan’s Under 21 side and the youth side from Lokomotove Moscow, I believe this year like last year the camp is at a different location and the opposition available is limited. Last year the youngsters ran up 27 goals in two games, with only a game against an adult side proving worthwhile in a 2-1 win. I don’t really see any benefit in these one-sided games but I suppose they can only play the opposition availbale.

Two players have moved on from the club’s youth setup in recent weeks with Darren McGill moving to Ayr United and Sam McMahon rejoining Doncatser Rovers.

Midfielder Darren joined Rangers from Kilmarnock a couple of years ago and was a regular at U17′s, with the emergence of several midfielder’s from the 1st year 17′s competition for places increased in that area and I believe Darren was not offered a pro-contract and moved on to the Somerset Park side. He recently played in their U19′s youth cup win over Inverness CT. Darren’s dad was always there to watch him where ever he played.

Striker Sam joined from Doncaster 18 months ago and impressed in his first 6 months at the club, it just looked a matter of time before he broke into the 19′s. An unfortunate time with injuries then stalled his progress, twice fracturing his collar bone in the second half of last season meant an early end to the season. A hernia operation at the start of this season meant him being behind in pre-season training and he struggled to break into the youth side. Sam’s father and grandfather regularly travelled up from Manchester to watch him play, even in friendly matches.

I would like to wish both players and their families all the best in the future and hope they both go on and have careers in the game.

These two players have been fairly significant in terms of Scottish football but few people would associate them with Rangers. Where as there are 100′s of players who have played for young Rangers sides over the years, and neither of these players signed professionally at the club, I class these two as Rangers players as both played in the Under 18 youth League and I am pretty sure the SFA Youth Cup for Rangers.

I saw both of them in a Rangers jersey at least a dozen times, they pre-date Murray Park and the majority of these games were at Maryhill Juniors ground, Lochburn Park, which Rangers used on Sunday’s for their young sides,  their appearances for the Under 18′s would have been at Creamery Park home of Bathgate Thistle. Rangers were pretty keen to sign them both but they opted to start their professional careers with clubs in the top tier in England. Were this to happen today Rangers would get a significant sum in compensation for development, back then the club got nothing.

The first player is former Hearts and Hibs midfielder Michael Stewart, currently without a club since leaving Charlton Athletic in the summer. Back in 1996 he was staring in Rangers U16′s  midfield and along with Celtic’s John Paul McBride he was considered among Scotland’s top talents. These two players were rivals in more sense than one, competing to be the play maker in Scotland’s youth teams as well as Old Firm rivals. Rangers tried hard to convince Michael his football future was at Ibrox, but I think his mind was made up long before his 16th birthday and he signed for Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Although he did make the first team at Old Trafford on a few occasions, an attitude and petulant streak which I witnessed first hand when I saw him red carded for Scotland U21”s against Northern Ireland, for throwing the ball at the referee, may have been one reason his progress stalled.

In 2004 it looked like he would eventually end up at Ibrox when Alex McLeish took him on the pre-season trip to Austria. When it became apparent that FA regulations required him to sign a formal loan contract in order to allow him to play in friendly matches he was sent back to Manchester. It was also pointed out that the player would need to accept a significant reduction in his weekly wage and free himself from his Old Trafford contract, which has two years to run, before he could consider making a short-term offer.

Of course he then went on to play over 100 games for his boyhood heroes Hearts and over 50 games for their great rivals Hibs.  While at Manchester United he gained three Scotland caps in Berti Vogts cast of thousands in 2002 and was capped once as a Hearts player in 2008 against Northern Ireland by George Burley. He is one player I think should have achieved more than he did.

His rival all those years ago, John Paul McBride, never quite made the break through at Celtic and moved on to St.Johnstone. His senior career took him to Partick Thistle, Stenhousemuir and Stirling albion and he is currently turning out for Wishaw Juniors.

The second player has not had quite as prominent a career as Michael Stewart but was almost as sought after as a youth player. He is due to come up against the Ibrox side when his current club Arbroath meet Rangers in the Scottish Cup. The player is midfielder Brian Kerr, I am not quite sure if he played in the same youth side as Michael Stewart but they were certainly around the same time. If the blog had existed back then I would have had a record of the lineups rather than trying to rely on my memory.

I remember Brian as a wide right player, with occasional appearances in centre midfield. Again Rangers were keen to retain him as a professional but he opted to sign for Newcastle United. Like Michael he did make the break through but failed to establish himself as a regular and he returned to Scotland to sign for his home town club Motherwell. A cruciate injury in a pre-season friendly put his career on hold, but recovered to become an established player in the Motherwell side.

Out of contract in 2007 he made what looked like a good move at the time to Hibs, in hindsight a new deal at Motherwell may have been the better option. A change of manager at Easter Road meant he soon dropped out of favour and after short spells at Inverness CT and Dundee he signed for Arbroath in 2011. And it’s not only Rangers that links these two players, that man Berti Vogts again, Brian gained three Scotland caps all as a substitute under Berti on 2003 /2004 season.

With the youth leagues about to go into cold storage I managed to get my fix of youth football this week by taking in the Under 14′s game against St.Mirren at Murray Park. The young Rangers side got revenge after their recent defeat to the Paisley side, although two late goals from the visitors almost pegged them back.

St. Mirren were first to threaten after five minutes with a break down the left, Robbie McCrorie came out of his box, the Saints attacker evaded him but from wide-angle his effort went harmlessly across goal. Three minutes later only a fine save prevented Rangers taking the lead, a move involving Greg Taylor, Ross Lyon and John Cunningham saw the later denied by a save at point-blank range from the Saints keeper.

Rangers Trialist Stuart ????? then latched on to a poor pass back and rounded the keeper, but the stopper had done enough to force him wide of goal and the ball ran out for a goal kick. The visitors then took the lead with a fine move down the right and when the ball was played across goal the striker netted from close range.

Rangers were back on level terms four minutes later, Greg Taylor was fouled out on the left touchline and when Josh Jeffries sent the free-kick into the box Jamie Barjonas was on hand to head past the keeper. The visitors then had a couple of chances before the end of the first period, the first came from an attack down the left but the shot was dragged across goa and widel. Their striker then found himself through on goal and he tried to chip Robbie McCrorie but the Rangers keeper stretched to save.

Five minutes into the second period Rangers took the lead, a great run into the box from the right from Jamie Barjonas took him past two defenders to sent up a chance for Greg Taylor with the keeper diverting his shot wide with his legs. Greg Taylor swung over the corner from the right and Jason Krones rose to head into the net. Five minutes later Rangers had their keeper to thank for keeping their lead intact, from a break down the right and cutback into the box Robbie McCrorie blocked at point-blank range with his legs.

Rangers then hit St.Mirren with two goals in as many minutes midway through the second period, Josh Jeffries sent in a corner from the left and Ross McCrorie’s header looked netbound with John Cunningham well placed to just make sure with a close range header. Josh Jeffries then split the defence with a superb pass to John Cunningham in the inside left channel, the striker took a touch before sending an unstoppable shot high into the net from just inside the box.

St. Mirren were given a chance to get back into the game when they were awarded a penalty with around nine minutes left which they duly converted. With a couple of minutes left they reduced the deficit further with an attack on the right hand side of the box and a superb strike that found the net despite Robbie McCrorie getting a touch.

Rangers went straight to the other end and Josh Jeffries broke forward from midfield, he cut inside the defender at the edge of the box and fired a shot off the keeper’s left hand post and along the line before being cleared. Saints had one final chance with an attack down the left with keeper Robbie McCrorie parrying the shot.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 St.Mirren 3

Rangers Squad:- Robbie McCrorie (GK), Ross McCrorie, Lewis White, Jason Krones, Reagan Milne, Jamie Barjonas, Stuart ?????, Ross Lyon, John Cunningham, Greg Taylor, Josh Jeffries, Gary McGreish, Jamie Brandon, Peter ?????

Footnote:- In an earlier kick-off Rangers 13′s beat their St.Mirren counterparts 3-0.

With the 19′s league game clashing with the first team fixture I got my fix of youth football by taking in the 17′s game against Falkirk at Murray Park this afternoon. Falkirk have an excellent youth setup and it wasn’t a real surprise that the game ended all square, the Rangers side included the nine players that signed professional contracts yesterday, which means they will be full-time from the start of next season,

It was Falkirk who had the first chance of the match after six minutes when they broke into the right hand side of the box and the trialist keeper in the Rangers goal stood tall to make the block. Two minutes later at the other end Scott Roberts corner from the right found the head of Craig Halkett and the keeper made a fine save diving to his right. Five minutes later a good passing move involving Tom Walsh and Dylan Dykes setup a chance for Danny Stoney who was denied by a superb block from the central defender to divert the ball wide.

Rangers then took the lead after seventeen minutes, superb play on the right from Scott Roberts saw him take on the full-back and hit the byline, his cutback was fired into the net from close range by Danny Stoney. Six minutes later it was goalscorer Stoney the got to the byline on the right and a combination of keeper and defender just prevented Charlie Telfer from converting.

Four minutes later the visitors created a chance cutting inside from the left flank and Craig Halkett had to make a superb block to clear the danger. A minute later Stoney was quick onto a ball over the top and as he tried to round the keeper he was denied by a brave save at his feet.

With just over ten minutes to the break Dylan Dykes tried his luck from a twenty-yard free-kick which the Falkirk keeper turned round his left hand post. Three minutes later a corner from the right gave the Rangers defence problems but the central defender up for the corner knocked the ball over at the back post.

Just before the interval the Trialist keeper in the Rangers goal was almost caught out from a long-range effort but managed to react and kick the ball clear.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Falkirk 0

The home side was first to threaten after the break, Jamie Mills cut in from the left and passed to Danny Stoney inside the box but the Rangers striker’s shot was wide of the keeper’s left hand post. Falkirk grabbed an equaliser on the hour, the replacement Trialist keeper came for a corner from the right only to be beaten to it by a Falkirk player who headed into the net.

Eight minutes later Rangers had a great chance to take the lead, Luke Hammond sent Charlie Telfer clear and as he rounded the keeper he was brought down for a clear penalty, Telfer stepped up to take the kick but saw the keeper dive to his right to make a fine save. The keeper then had a comfortable save five minutes later from a long range shot from Scott Lochrie.

The last real chance of the match came sixty-seconds later, Kjeld McIntyre picked up a slack pass in midfield, broke towards the box before setting up Tom Walsh with the keeper blocking his shot with his legs.

Full-Time: -Rangers 1 Falkirk 1

Rangers Trialist No.1 (Trialist No.21 46mins); Ryan Sinnamon, Greg Pascazio, Craig Halkett, Jamie Mills (Ross Kellock 68mins); Scott Roberts (Kjeld McIntyre 68mins), Dylan Dykes (Scott Lochrie 65mins), Kris Gibson, Tom Walsh; Charlie Telfer, Danny Stoney (Luke Hammond 58mins).

Footnote:- At the same time Rangers 13′s and their Falkirk counterparts played out a goalless draw.

On Saturday Rangers 19′s took on St.Johnstone at Murray Park, as already mentioned the 1pm kick off meant I was unable to attend. Goals from Kyle McAusland, Darren Ramsay, Callum Gallagher (Pen) and Matty Clarke along with a penalty save from Alan Smith saw them run out 4-1 winners.

The official site’s youth coverage has been much better this season and there is a match report at the link below:-

http://www.rangers.co.uk/articles/20111203/youngsters-find-form_2255459_2536380

]]> http://rfcyouths.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/17s-held-by-falkirk/feed/ 2 elfideldo http://rfcyouths.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/youths-lose-at-hibs/ http://rfcyouths.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/youths-lose-at-hibs/#comments Sat, 26 Nov 2011 17:02:07 +0000 elfideldo http://rfcyouths.wordpress.com/?p=2284 ]]> Hibernian 2 Rangers 0

Rangers Under 19′s were second best in today’s youth league clash at Hibs Training Centre. The gale force conditions raised the argument of whether the game should go ahead in such conditions, there was very little football on show and on this occasion the players were blameless as the wind made things almost impossible.

Rangers made one change from last week with Robbie Crawford coming in for Barrie McKay who was ill, the Ibrox side started with the gale force wind at their backs but with both side struggling to cope with the conditions very little of note happened in the early stages. There was almost half an hour gone before there was anything close to what could be called a decent attempt at goal, when Lewis McLeod headed a corner clear it landed at the feet of Adam Mitter who fired just wide of Alan Smith’s right hand post.

The home side took the lead on thirty-eight minutes, Sam Stanton sent a free-kick into the box, Smith came from his line but didn’t get close to gathering and the ball fell to Jordan Forster who shot into the unguarded net. Four minutes before the break Dean Horribine had  a chance from deep inside the right side of the area with Smith turning the ball round the post.

Two minutes later Mitter made progress down the right, passed to Phil Addison who moved it on to Euen Smith and the substitute’s shot was just too high. Just before the half-time whistle Fraser Aird sent a free-kick in from the right and it broke to Callum Gallagher who miscued his shot and the Hibernian defence cleared.

Half-Time:- Hibernian 1 Rangers 0

There was twenty minutes of the second-half gone when Horribine cut into the left side of the penalty area, his shot was parried by Smith into Stanton’s path, the midfielder looked certain to score but was denied when Tom Skogsrud made a great block to deflect the ball over. Ten minutes later Rangers carved out a great chance with a superb passing move, the ball was moved from McLeod to Gallagher onto Kyle McAusland who passed inside to Kamil Wiktorski and he sent Nicolaj Kohlert through but he was  denied an equaliser when Paul Grant diverted the ball wide of his left hand post.

Hibs clinched the points with a freak goal five minutes to go, Sam Stanton’s free-kick from wide on the right touchline was carried by the wind over everybody and found the top corner of the net.

Full-Time:- Hibernian 2 Rangers 0

Rangers:- Alan Smith; Kyle McAusland, Josh Robinson, Adel Gafaiti (Kim Skogsrud 86mins), Tom Skogsrud; Fraser Aird, Robbie Crawford (Kamil Wiktorski 63mins), Nicolaj Kohlert, Lewis McLeod, Darren Ramsay (Matty Clarke 81mins); Callum Gallagher.

Not Used:- Blair Currie (GK)

For the second time in as many weeks the Under 17′s sides from Rangers and Queen’s Park served up a close entertaining encounter at Murray Park. Rangers eventually making the game safe with a late third goal.

The opening exchanges did not provide many clear scoring opportunities and twenty-five minutes were on the clock when the visitors created a chance  from the inside right channel, shooting narrowly over. A minute later when a corner was cleared from the penalty area Ryan Sinnamon broke into the right side of the box before shooting across goal and wide of the far post.

Just after the half-hour Queen’s Park had a great chance after a fine turn inside the box with keeper Liam Kelly making a fine block with his foot. Five minutes later Rangers opened the scoring with a superb goal, Tom Walsh won the ball on the halfway line and continued down the left-wing, when he crossed from the byline Danny Stoney gave the keeper no chance with a fine volley at the back post.

A minute later the home side doubled their lead, Jamie Burrows found Jamie Mills breaking forward into the inside left channel and his pass inside gave Dylan Dykes the chance, he cut inside a defender before finding the net despite the best efforts of the Queen’s keeper. A minute before the break a great passing move gave Queens a chance deep inside the Rangers box with Liam Kelly getting a vital touch to divert for a corner.

Right on the half-time whistle Hampden side did get back into the match, the ball was moved inside from the right-wing and the shot from just outside the box found the bottom corner,  Liam Kelly in the Rangers goal would have been disappointed not to have kept it out but would redeem himself later.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Queen’s Park 1

In the first minute of the second-half Ryan Sinnamon sent a free-kick in from the left which Craig Halkett rose to head goalwards but was denied by a five save to the keeper’s right. The Queen’s keeper was then sharp to come off his line and save at the feet of Charlie Telfer as he looked to get on to Ryan Sinnamon’s crossfield pass.

Just before the hour some great skill on then left hand byline from Charlie Telfer created space for him to chip across goal where Jamie Burrows got his head to the ball only to see it come back off the crossbar with the keeper beaten. The visitor’s replied five minutes later  with a break on the right side of the box with Liam Kelly saving the shot comfortably.

With around six minutes remaining Queen’s Park broke through the middle to create great chance, with keeper Liam Kelly producing a fantastic save low to his left. The Hampden side sensed an equaliser and Liam Kelly was forced to produce another superb save low to his left this time from a shot from the left side of the box.

With the clock ticking Rangers then made the game safe, Charlie Telfer won the ball in midfield and passed to Scott Lochrie who sent Jamie Burrows clear to continue into the box and fire past the keeper. There was still time for keeper Liam Kelly to display his skills, when a free-kick from the right was missed by forwards and defenders alike, the Rangers keeper reacted brilliantly to turn the ball over the bar.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Queen’s Park 1

Queen’s Park 1 Rangers 2

Ranger Under 13′s got off to the perfect start with a goal in the opening minute, Kyle McAllister swung in a corner from the left and Sam Jamieson was on the end of it to head past the Queen’s Park keeper. The home keeper was soon in action again with a fine double save after five minutes, first he got down to save from Sam Jamieson and reacted quickly to save at the feet of Ross Brown.

Rangers doubled their lead on ten minutes, Ross Brown winning the ball before setting up Sam Jamieson to shoot past the keeper from just inside the box. The next chance came along ten minutes later some good play on the left from Kyle McAllister saw him move the ball inside to Sam Jamieson who setup Kieran Moore who was denied a goal by a fine challenge from the home defender.

Four minutes later Adam Baird played the ball forward to Jordan Houston on the right who showed some great wing play and his cross was only just missed by Sam Jamieson as it flashed across the six yard box. The home side then had a chance two minutes into the second period, after a scramble in front of the Rangers goal keeper Kieran Wright eventually gathered.

Five minutes later the home side got back into the game via the penalty spot, they broke down the right and into the penalty area where Wallace Duffy fouled the attacker and the penalty was duly converted. Rangers then put a flowing move together, Sam Jamieson played a one-two with Zack Rudden, then passed to Kyle McAllister who setup the chance for Ross Brown which was saved.

At the start of the third period the home side broke down the right and created a chance when the ball was sent into the box and Kieran Wright produced a fine save. At the other the home keeper was not to be out done and he denied Ross Brown with a fine save after Kyle McAllister and Sam Jamieson combined to create the chance.

Rangers came close again, Jordan Houston sent Kieran Moore down the left and from his cutback Sam Jamieson’s shot struck the outside of the keeper’s right hand post. For a long period of the match Rangers had four Under 12′s on the pitch, Jordan Houston who plays at the this level each week was joined by Stephen Kelly, Jack Thompson and Zack Rudden.

Full-Time:- Queen’s Park 1 Rangers 2

Rangers Squad:- Kieran Wright (GK), Adam Baird, Euan McMillan, Aidan Wilson, Wallace Duffy, Lewis Ferguson, Kieran Moore, Jordan Houston, Sam Jamieson, Ross Brown, Kyle McAllister, Jack Thompson, Stephen Kelly, Zack Rudden.

Now it was on to the under 14′s game which had an afternoon kick-off, the Rangers squad included four Under 13′s Jason Krones, Jamie Barjonas, Grant Nelson and Liam Burt.

Queen’s Park 1 Rangers 5

Rangers took the lead with a quick break after five minutes, Robbie McCrorie came from his line to gather from a corner and sent Gary McGriesh down the right, he went past the full-back and hit the byline, his low cross gave John Cunningham the simple task of netting at the back post. The home side hit back on the quarter-hour mark and from the shot from the right hand side of the box Robbie McCrorie made a fine save diving to his right and was able to gather at the second attempt.

Two minutes later the Rangers keeper was to produce an even better save, another attack down the right and first time effort from the cutback saw Robbie McCrorie save low to his left turning the ball wide for a corner. Rangers replied when Ross Lyon switched the ball out to Gary McGriesh on the right and the home keeper did well to cut out his low cross. Ross McCrorie was in action again just before the end of the first period, Queen’s Park broke through the middle and the Rangers keeper stood tall to block the shot.

Rangers increased their lead at the start of the second period, Ross Lyon sent the ball to John Cunningham on the right and when he played it back to Ross Lyon he shot high into the net from the edge of the box. A minute later Grant Nelson passed inside to Ross Lyon and this time his shot clipped the bar on the way over.

On fifty minutes Jamie Barjonas and Ross Lyon combined to sent John Cunningham through and this time it was the home keeper that stood tall to block. The home side were still in the match and Robbie McCrorie was tested from distance which he saved comfortably. Rangers edged further ahead with around thirteen minutes remaining, Josh Jeffries and Lewis White combined on the left and from Josh Jeffries low cross John Cunningham netted from close range.

Six minutes later Rangers scored again, Josh Jeffries picked out the run from Ross Lyon to send him clear and the midfielder carried on into the box to coolly beat the keeper. With five minutes left of the clock Queen’s Park got the consolation goal they deserved, from a break through the middle Robbie McCrorie made a fine save from the initial effort but was helpless as the rebound was knocked over him an into the net.

Back to the other end and the home side were struggling to clear a corner, eventually Reagan Milne shot from close range and the ball was cleared from the line for a corner. From the corner from the right John Mitchell rose to head into the net aqnd complete the scdoring.

Full-Time:- Queen’s Park 1 Rangers 5

Rangers Squad:- Robbie McCrorie (GK), Ross McCrorie, Lewis White, Jason Krones, Reagan Milne, Jamie Brandon, Garry McGreish, Ross Lyon, John Cunningham, Jamie Barjonas, Grant Nelson, Josh Jeffries, John Mitchell, Liam Burt

Footnote:- Rangers Under 15′s overcame their Queen’s Park counterparts 6-0 on Friday night, the clubs meet at Under 17′s on Monday night at Murray Park, Kick-Off 7pm.

Rangers Youths recorded a much-needed win against bottom club Inverness Caley Thistle at Murray Park this afternoon. Once they made the breakthrough fourteen minutes before the break the result was never in doubt. With Luca Gasparotto away on international duty Josh Robinson took his place in central defence, Nicolaj Kohlert and Darren Ramsay replaced Robbie Crawford and Adam Hunter in midfield, Kamil Wiktorski just back from three games in a week for Poland took his place on the bench.

After an early longe range shot from Nicolaj Kohlert that Edward Baldy saved comfortably Rangers continued to dominate possession but were failing to create any clear goal scoring opportunities. It was the visitors who came close after twenty-six minutes, Alan Smith produced a fine save diving to his left to parry Calum Dingwall’s twenty-five yarder, when the ball was cleared from the penalty area Liam Polworth’s net bound shot was headed clear just in front of goal by Josh Robinson.

Rangers took the lead when Darren Ramsay’s corner from the right landed at the feet of Adel Gafaiti and his shot from near the penalty spot through a crowd of players found the net. Three minutes later Kohlert played the ball up to Callum Gallagher who turned and fired a shot that only just cleared Baldy’s crossbar.

Eight minutes before the break Barrie McKay picked up a loose ball midway inside the Caley half and he found Lewis McLeod in space inside the box his shot had Baldy stretching low to his left to make a fine save.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Inverness Caley Thistle 0

Only three minutes of the second period had elapsed when Rangers doubled their lead, Darren Ramsay and Tom Skogsrud combined on the left and from the latter’s cross Lewis McLeod was determined and beat a hesitant defence to score from close range with a brave header. Gallagher then latched on to a slack Jack Sutherland headed pass back and Baldy did well to tip his powerful shot over.

Just before the hour the Caley keeper was in action again, Ramsay sent in a cross from the left which was headed to the edge of the box from where McLeod sent a drive goalwards,  Baldy dived to his left to turn the ball round for a corner. Midway through the half Rangers scored again, the ball was worked across the edge of the box from right to left, from McKay via McLeod to Darren Ramsay who shot across keeper Baldy into the far corner.

As the game entered the last quarter of an hour McKay cut in from the right to try his luck with keeper Baldy standing tall to block. Five minutes later Gafaiti sent a cross over from the left which McKay knocked back across goal, a Caley defender appeared to deny Gallagher a few yards from goal although the referee awarded a goal kick. The scoring was complete six minutes from time, a superb McKay run and perfectly timed pass picked out Stuart Urquhart’s run, who continued into the box to shoot past Baldy.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 Inverness Caley Thistle 0

Following last week’s scare against Queen’s Park, Alan Kernaghan’s Under 17′s had a more than comfortable win at Broadwood tonight. Indeed it wasn’t until the closing few minutes that the home side had their first meaningful attempt at goal.

Rangers took an early lead after only five minutes, Charlie Telfer was free inside the right hand side of the penalty area, he could have gone for goal himself but rolled the ball across goal to give Jamie Burrows the simple task of scoring from close range. Four minutes later Rangers were awarded a free-kick on the right hand angle of the box, Stuart Urquhart stepped up and his effort on goal was touched on to the bar and over by keeper Liam Cameron.

On the quarter-hour mark Andy Murdoch sent Danny Stoney through on goal but he shot wide of the left hand post. Stoney looked certain to score two minutes later, Jordan Wilson’s cross to the back post looked perfect but Danny miscued his header and Cameron was allowed to make the save. Rangers doubled their lead on twenty minutes with a fine goal, Stoney played the ball up to Jamie Burrows, a superb touch and turn took him away from a defender and he showed great strength to hold off Fraser McGhee before a neat finish past Cameron.

Four minutes later the striker turned creator when set up Stoney inside the box who was  only denied by a fine Cameron save at point-blank range. Sixty seconds later the home side were hit by a three goal burst in as many minutes, when Cameron failed to hold a Wilson cross from the left, Ryan Sinnamon’s shot crossed the line despite the efforts of two Clyde defenders on the line.

A superb Telfer pass then sent Stoney heading for the byline on the right and his cutback was converted by Darren Ramsay for number four. The fifth goal soon followed this time Tom Walsh was the architect setting up Charlie Telfer to advance into the box and beat Cameron.

The home keeper was to excel in a busy sixty seconds just before the break, when a cross from the left was headed up in the air Cameron reacted to block Stoney’s volley and then dived to his left to turn Walsh’s shot wide for a corner. And he wasn’t finished yet, when the corner found its way to Wilson on the left hand side of the box, it was his turn to be denied as Cameron again threw himself to the left to touch wide.

Half-Time:- Clyde 0 Rangers 5

The second half was soon following a similar pattern and two minutes had passed when Ramsay had an incredible miss, he started the move with a pass to Walsh on the left and made his way into the six yard box to be on the end of Walsh’s low ball across goal but somehow screwed wide from a couple of yards. Two minutes later it was Ramsay that got a flick on to Wilson’s long ball and send Burrows clear, the striker went round keeper Cameron but defender Cameron Love got back to concede a corner.

On fifty-two  minutes Rangers got their first goal of the second half, Wilson played the ball forward to Ramsay, the midfielder delayed his pass to match the run from Scott Roberts who progressed into the box and shoot past Cameron. Four minutes later Rangers scored again, from a free-kick just outside the box on the right, around ten yards from the byline, Ramsay took everyone by surprise when he shot for goal and when keeper Cameron failed to hold, Jamie Burrows was well placed to net from a couple of yards.

Despite the heroics from Cameron Rangers scored again with twenty minutes remaining, the keeper advanced from his line to save at the feet of Burrows after he was played through by Telfer. The ball broke kindly for Burrows who set up Telfer, his effort was saved by the keeper. But he was out of luck on the third occasion when it broke to Roberts, although he screwed his shot across goal it went straight to Darren Ramsay who fired past the helpless keeper.

Scoring was complete with the goal of the game on eighty-three minutes, when the ball was cleared from the Clyde penalty area Dylan Dykes gave Cameron no chance as he curled a 25 yarder into the bottom right hand corner of the net. The home side never gave up and were denied a consolation by a fine Liam Kelly save, Mark King’s pass released Danny Hendry inside the left hand side of the box, the Rangers keeper stood his ground to block the shot and keep his clean sheet.

Full-Time:- Clyde 0 Rangers 9

Clyde:- Liam Cameron; Conor Paton (Charles McCann 81mins), Fraser McGhee (Josh Robertson 46mins), Cameron Love, Cameron McGhee; Dillan Duddy (Sean Mears 46mins), Dan Smith, Reece Glackin, Danny Hendry; Mark King, Scott Ferguson.

Not Used:- Greg Kane, Cameron Cairney.

Rangers:- Liam Kelly; Ryan Sinnamon (Dylan Dykes 46mins), Craig Halkett, Stuart Urquhart, Jordan Wilson; Danny Stoney (Scott Roberts 46mins), Andy Murdoch, Darren Ramsay, Tom Walsh (Jamie Mills 60mins); Jamie Burrows, Charlie Telfer.

Not Used:- Sam George (GK)