Youths Lose At Hibs

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

Hibernian:- Paul Grant; Adam Mitter, Jordan Forster, Jack Verth, Jamie Doris; Phil Addison (Alex Harris 55mins), Dean Horribine, David Gold, Sam Stanton; Danny Handling (Euan Smith 30mins), Ross Caldwell.

 

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)

17’s Win Against Hampden Youngsters

Rangers 3 Queen’s Park 1

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

Rangers:- Liam Kelly; Ryan Sinnamon (Kjeld McIntyre 73mins), Craig Halkett ( Greg Pascazio 65mins), Jordan Wilson, Jamie Mills (Robert McLardie 77mins); Charlie Telfer, Dylan Dykes (Ross Kellock 71mins), Scott Roberts (Scott Lochrie 77mins), Tom Walsh, Danny Stoney (Luke Hammond 75mins); Jamie Burrows.

Development Teams Round Up

This weekend’s staggered kick-off times gave me the chance to take in a few of the the development teams games against Queen’s Park. First up was the Under 13’s at Lesser Hampden in the morning followed by the Under 14’s in the afternoon.

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.

Youths Win Against Caley

Rangers 4 Inverness Caley Thistle 0

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

Rangers:- Alan Smith; Kyle McAusland, Josh Robinson, Adel Gafaiti, Tom Skogsrud; Darren Ramsay (Matty Clarke 84mins), Fraser Aird (Stuart Urquhart 82mins), Nicolaj Kohlert, Lewis McLeod, Barrie McKay; Callum Gallagher.

 

Not Used:- Blair Currie (GK), Kamil Wiktorski, Kim Skogsrud, Robbie Crawford, Adam Hunter.

 

Inverness CT:- Edward Baldy; Jack Sutherland, Harry Stewart (Mark Noble 82mins), Matthew Murphy, Tom Smith; Martin Laing, Liam Polworth, Ryan Christie (Andy Skinner 82mins), Ryan Watson (Stephen McKenzie 82mins); Kevin Buchan, Callum Dingwall.

Easy Glasgow Cup Win For 17’s

Clyde 0 Rangers 9

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)

Youths Crash Out Of Cup At Ibrox

Rangers 1 Dundee United 3 (After Extra Time)

Rangers youths run to cup finals came to an end when they lost to Dundee United at Ibrox this afternoon. Its been a sticky start to the season for Billy Kirkwood’s side but with United sitting second bottom of the youth league having lost twenty-nine goals in ten games Rangers would be going into the game as favourites.

The game opened quietly and there was seventeen minutes on the clock before any goalmouth action of note, Fraser Aird cut in from the right and sent a pass to Barrie McKay on the opposite flank, he passed the ball inside to Robbie Crawford who shot just wide of the left hand post. Five minutes later McKay again passed inside from the left, this time to Callum Gallagher who turned of the edge of the box and his shot brought out a save from Phillip Anderson low to his right.

A further four minutes had passed when Gallagher laid the ball back into the path of Crawford this time the midfielder’s effort was just wide of Anderson’s right hand post. Rangers then took the lead on thirty-six minutes, from Adam Hunter’s corner from the right Tom Skogrud’s header was parried by Anderson but Callum Gallagher was well placed to knock the ball over the line from close range.

Five minutes later United were level from their first meaningful attack, Ryan Ferguson broke from midfield before passing to Robert Thomson at the edge of the box, when he was challenged the ball broke kindly for Scott Smith leaving him free inside the box to shoot past Alan Smith. Just before the break there was a chance at either end, McKay went down the left before passing inside for Lewis McLeod to test Anderson low to his right. At the other end Ryan Gauld made his way across the box from right to left and fed Glenn Hawe who brought out a fine save from Smith high to his left.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Dundee United 1

The visitors were first to threaten after the break, Ferguson breaking forward and passing to Hawe on the left, he cut inside Kyle McAusland before shooting across goal and wide of the far post. Rangers then missed a great chance just before the hour, McLeod sent a great pass inside the full-back for the overlapping Tom Skogsrud from his cutback McKay’s shot was parried by Anderson and James Thomson cleared over his own crossbar to safety.

Five minutes later Gallagher got a break of the ball and he was free on the right hand side of the box, his ball across goal found McKay who teed it up for Crawford who looked certain to score but his shot was wide of Anderson’s right hand post. Midway through the half Robert Thomson had the ball out of the left and passed inside to Smith who shot into the side netting.

Rangers were soon back on the attack and a great McKay run on the right took him past two defenders his pass inside gave McLeod a chance from just outside the box which Anderson saved low to his right. Five minutes later McLeod tested Anderson again this time the keeper parried low to his left, Gallagher was first to the ball but the angle was tight and he could only shoot into the side netting.

With only three minutes of normal time remaining United substitute Shane Campbell cut inside on the left of the penalty area with Smith diving to his left to parry his effort.

End Of 90 Minutes:- Rangers 1 Dundee United 1

With the first period of extra time producing little of note Rangers came close at the start of the next period with Anderson diving to his right to divert McLeod’s twenty-five yarder for a corner. When the corner was cleared from the penalty area McAusland sent a shot from the edge of the box just wide of the right hand post.

With six minutes remaining United took the lead, Ferguson won the ball in midfield and broke forward, he passed to Scott Smith on the edge of the box who sent a shot past Alan smith into the corner. With time running out Rangers almost took it to penalty kicks, Kim Skogrud’s long throw from the right broke to Darren Ramsay and his looping shot had Anderson beaten but bounced clear from the cross-bar. The visitor’s then clinched their place in the next round in the dying seconds, the ball was played up Jordan Moore just inside the box and he had time and space to turn and find the net via the underside of the crossbar.

Full-Time:- Rangers 1 Dundee United 3

Rangers:- Aland Smith; Kyle McAusland, Adel Gafaiti, Luca Gasparotto, Tom Skogsrud; Fraser Aird (Kim Skogsrud 116mins), Lewis McLeod, Adam Hunter, Robbie Crawford, Barrie McKay ( Darren Ramsay 99mins); Callum Gallagher (Sam McMahon 112mins).

Not Used:- Blair Currie (GK), Ewan McNeill

Dundee United:- Phillip Anderson; Ross Gilmour, Paddy Barrett, James Thomson, John Young (Greg Whyte 116mins); Ryan Gauld ( Jordan Moore 81mins), Scott Smith, Darren Petrie, Ryan Ferguson, Glenn Hawe ( Shane Campbell 65mins); Robert Thomson.

Not Used:- Dean Easton (GK), Ryan Lundie.

17’s Grab Win From Jaws Of Defeat

Rangers 3 Queen’s Park 2

With twelve minutes remaining in tonight’s Glasgow Cup match at Murray Park Rangers Under 17’s were staring at defeat, trailing Queens Park by two goal to nil they managed to turn things around with three goals in an eight minute spell for a unlikley victory. Where as the comeback showed great resilience and spirit it doesn’t hide the fact that for the previous 78 minutes they were second best.

In a first half where the Ibrox youngsters never got going the visitor’s threatened in the thirteenth minute with a break on the right hand side of the box with the shot going across goal and wide. Rangers then had a narrow escape on twenty minutes, Liam Kelly was caught in possession following a pass back and in the ensuing scramble Craig Halkett cleared from the goal line.

Eight minutes later the Hampden side came closer still, a long ball caught out the centre of Rangers defence and the striker was through on goal, his chip over Kelly looked to have given them a deserved lead only for the ball to strike the crossbar. Almost thirty-five minutes had gone before there was any threat from the home side, then Charlie Telfer broke through but his shot lacked power and the keeper saved low to his left.

A minute later and Queen’s Park took the lead,  a free-kick from around ten yards into the Rangers half was sent into the box and missed by defenders and attackers alike and bounced into the corner of the net. Rangers tried to reply immediately and after good work down the right by Scott Roberts, Darren Ramsay fired his cutback wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

Rangers finished the half on the front foot, with three minutes remaining Stuart Urquhart broke forward from defence,played a one-two with Ramsay and sent a shot from the edge of the box just wide of the right hand post. Ramsay the fed the overlapping Jordan Wilson who brought out a fine save from the Queens keeper low to his left.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Queen’s Park 1

Rangers started the second half with a flurry but a series of corners failed to create any clear goalscoring opportunities, with Queen’s Park settling into the second half they doubled their lead on the hour mark. From a break down the right hand side Liam Kelly was forced into a fine diving save low to his right, as the ball ran loose Craig Halkett fouled the Queens player inside the box and the resultant penalty was duly converted.

Midway through the half a Ramsay corner from the left broke to Wilson who saw his close range effort deflected wide. Within sixty seconds Telfer created space on the right and his cross was knocked wide of goal at the back post by Tom Walsh. The visitors immediately went to the other end and a shot from the edge of the box forced another save from keeper Kelly.

In a desperate measure to get back into the match central defender Craig Halkett was moved up front to assist in attack and Rangers were thrown a lifeline with twelve minutes left on the clock. Charlie Telfer sent a free-kick in from the right and it was handled by a Queen’s Park defender for a clear penalty which Charlie Telfer stepped up to convert.

Five minutes later only a stunning Liam Kelly save prevented the Hampden side scoring, a low cross from the left looked harmless until it was left by Urquhart with keeper Kelly showing brilliant reactions to save low to his left. Rangers were to capitalise on their keeper’s excellence by grabbing and immediate equaliser, Jamie Burrows rising to head Telfer’s corner from the left past the keeper.

The home side now had the momentum and two minutes later good play on the left and another fine cross from Telfer saw make shift striker Craig Halkett leap to head a winner that only eight minutes earlier looked highly unlikely.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Queen’s Park 2

Rangers:- Liam Kelly; Ryan Sinnamon, Craig Halkett, Jordan Wilson, Jamie Mills (Tom Walsh 40mins); Scott Roberts (Danny Stoney 46mins), Andy Murdoch, Stuart Urquhart, Charlie Telfer; Darren Ramsay; Jamie Burrows.

Not Used:- Sam George (GK), Dylan Dykes

Development Games Against Dundee United

This weekend’s development games saw Dundee United visit Murray Park and 15’s and 17’s with the younger teams travelling to Dundee. Staggered kick-off times meant I could take in both games at Murray Park.

Rangers 7 Dundee United 0

The morning game saw Rangers 15’s win comfortably in a pretty one-sided game, with neither of Rangers keepers having any save of note to make. Rangers could have taken the lead as early as the first minute, when a cross came in from the right it broke off a United defender and Ryan Hardie headed just over. He came closer still on five minutes when his free-kick from just outside the box came back off the crossbar.

Midway through the first period Callum Shippcott won the ball midway inside the United half and broke into the box before firing at goal only to see the keeper make a fine save tipping over. Two minutes later Shippcott was released on the right by Michael Mossie and his low cross bounced of the near post.

The next chance came when Ryan Smith won the ball in midfield, advancing into the box  his shot was just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. Rangers made the break through five minutes before the end of the first period, Scott Lochead was tripped inside the box and he stepped up to send the penalty into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Rangers increased their lead five minutes into the second period, Mossie sent Ben Reilly clear on the right and his low ball across the six yard box gave Ryan Hardie a simple finish at the back post. The right flank was proving to be the main source of danger from the Rangers attack and the next effort came after Shippcott cut inside with the keeper saving low to his right.

The third goal was not long in coming and this time it was from a corner on the right, Steven Chatterton rising to head Lochead’s corner into the net. Five minutes later and another spot kick was to provide Rangers fourth, Ben Reilly netting after he was brought down as he made his way along the byline on the right.

Rangers had another chance before the end of the second period, Jamie Wilson’s clearance going over the United and defence and leaving Hardie clear but the keeper came off his line to save. The visitor’s keeper was deny Hardie again when he was through just after the turn round in the third period. A minute later the keeper was helpless when Ryan Hardie went passed two defenders before shooting past the keeper.

With ten minutes remaining Adam Wilson’s pass sent Ben Reilly through on goal, he calmly rounded the keeper before rolling the ball into the empty net. The scoring was complete when Sam Liddington played the ball into Ryan Hardie inside the box, the striker side-stepped a defender before firing home.

Full-Time: Rangers 7 Dundee United 0

Rangers Squad:-Jamie Wilson (GK), Max Currie (GK), Michael Mossie, Sam Liddington, David Brownlie, Steven Chatterton, Ryan Smith, Callum Shippcott, Adam Wilson, Ryan Hardie, Ben Reilly, Scott Lochead, Lewis Morgan, Alex McEwan.

So it was onto the Under 17’s game which kicked off early afternoon, it was a more comfortable win the scoreline suggests, the game going a bit flat after multiple substitutions in the second-half.

Rangers 3 Dundee United 2

A solo run from his own half from Jamie Burrows  almost opened the scoring after seven minutes, when a Dundee United free-kick was cleared he picked the ball up and his run took him past two defenders and into the box, he shot across the keeper only to see the ball rebound of the keeper’s left hand post. He was involved when Rangers took the lead after sixteen minutes, Darren Ramsay won the ball in midfield before playing forward to Burrows, who passed to Charlie Telfer in space inside the box to fire high past the keeper.

A couple of minutes later Craig Halkett rose to power a header goalwards from a Darren McGill corner from the right with the United keeper diving to his left to save. A minute later a carbon copy Halkett header from another McGill corner was cleared off the line by a combination of keeper and defender.

On twenty-five minutes a superb passing move involving Burrows, Telfer and Ramsay ended with a shot from Stuart Urquhart being turned round the post by the keeper.From Ramsay’s corner from the left Jordan Wilson saw his header cleared off the line. Rangers pressure was to tell just after the half-hour, the ball broke to Darren Ramsay he went past a defender before sending an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box into the top right hand corner of the net.

Three minutes before the break Rangers scored again, Darren McGill was the provider with a great cross and Jamie Burrow’s glancing header was enough to beat the keeper.

Half-Time:- Rangers 3 Dundee United 0

Seven minutes after the break another Burrow’s glancing header, this time from an Andy Murdoch cross from the right produced a fine save from the keeper low to his right at the expense of a corner. Midway through the half  United pulled a goal back, from a build up on the left Sam George was beaten by a powerful strike from just outside the box.

As the game entered the last few minutes Scott Lochrie sent Luke Hammond clear with an opportunity to make the game safe but his lob over the keeper was just wide. United then went up the other end and when a corner from the left was headed goalwards Orri Omarsson headed off the line.  When the ball was sent back to the edge of the box George was beaten in the air and the knock on gave the United player  the simple task of knocking the ball into the net for the last action of the match.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Dundee United 2

Rangers:- Liam Kelly (Sam George 57mins); Andy Murdoch, Craig Halkett (Orri Omarsson 46mins), Jordan Wilson, Jamie Mills; Scott Roberts (Kjeld McIntyre 54mins), Darren Ramsay (Scott Lochrie 46mins) , Stuart Urquhart ( Connor McLeod 57mins), Darren McGill (Ross Kellock 57mins), Jamie Burrows (Luke Hammond 54mins), Charlie Telfer (Dylan Dykes 46mins)

Footnote:- The younger teams were playing away to Dundee United with the 13’s winning 5-0 and the 14’s winning 4-0.

Injury Time Goal Stuns Youths

Hearts 4 Rangers 3

A free-kick deep into injury time cost Rangers Under 19’s a point at Riccarton this morning, it was hard on the youngsters but the failure to consolidate a two goal lead was to prove to be the side’s undoing.

After some initial Hearts pressure Rangers took the game to the Edinburgh side, Fraser Aird laid the ball back to Kyle McAusland on the right and from his cross Chris Kane headed over own crossbar under pressure. Aird’s corner from the left was returned to him from a Hearts defender and from the winger’s cross Tom Skogsrud headed past Jack Hamilton.  A couple of minutes later Callum Gallagher headed narrowly over from Aird’s free-kick from the left.

The Ibrox youngsters were to double their lead on ten minutes, Fraser Aird fired a free-kick from the edge of the box against the Hearts wall and when the ball came back to him he sent a superb cross into the box for the unmarked Kyle McAusland to head past Hamilton. Six minutes later the home side tested Alan Smith when Jamie Walker cut in from the left, the Rangers keeper saving low to his left.

On twenty-one minutes Chris Tobin picked up a loose ball in midfield, broke forward before firing for goal and clipping the outside of Smith’s right hand post. A minute later Hearts pulled a goal back, Jamie Walker cut in from the left and shot for goal, although keeper Smith will be disappointed as the shot slipped under his body. Two minutes later Rangers restored their two goal lead with a superb goal, Gallagher went past Brad McKay on the right and continued to the byline where he looked up and picked out Robbie Crawford’s run into the box, the midfielder picked his spot shooting past Hamilton.

Only a minute had passed and the home side were handed a lifeline, Jamie Walker went down under a Kamil Wiktorski challenge inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot for what looked like a soft award, the same player stepped up to send Smith the wrong way from the spot. Just after the half-hour mark the sides were level, Tobin got to the byline and when his cross found its way to Brad McKay at the back post he had time and space to control the ball before shooting past Smith.

Rangers replied with a long-range effort from Lewis McLeod after Barrie McKay passed the ball in from the left, his shot was straight at Hamilton who saved comfortably.

Half-Time:- Hearts 3 Rangers 3

The first chance of the second half came nine minutes in, Gallagher played in Aird on the right hand angle of the box and his shot across goal was just wide of Hamilton’s right hand post. The home side replied immediately, Callum Patterson’s header from Ryan Stewart’s right-wing cross was only just over.

On 62 minute Stewart tested Smith in the Rangers goal when the striker cut in from the right with the Rangers keeper saving to his right. The keeper was to better that five minutes later with a stunning save, Hearts worked the ball out to the right and when Stewart got his head to Patterson’s cross a goal looked certain till Smith dived to his right to turn the ball wide for a corner.

With quarter of an hour remaining it was Hearts keeper Hamilton’s turn to excel denying Rangers twice within sixty seconds. Tom Skogsrud got the byline and his cutback found Lewis McLeod  eight yards out and a goal looked likely until Hamilton dived to his left to parry. The  next attack came on the opposite flank, McAusland’s cross found Kim Skogsrud at the back post this time Hamilton was quick from his line to block the substitute’s effort and the Hearts defence cleared.

With almost five minutes of injury time played Hearts were awarded a free-kick on the left hand angle of Rangers penalty area and up stepped Fraser Mullen to give Smith no chance as he found the net via the keeper’s left hand post, Rangers barely had time to kick-off before the referee blew for full-time.

Full-Time:- Hearts 4 Rangers 3

Hearts:- Jack Hamilton; Fraser Mullen, Chris Kane, Brad McKay, Kevin McHattie; Callum Patterson (Billy King 78mins), Callum Tapping (Sam Nicholson 83mins), Chris Kane, Jason Holt, Jamie Walker; Ryan Stewart.

Not Used:- Blair Carswell, Dale Carrick, Michael Thomson, George Scott, Adam King.

Rangers:- Alan Smith; Kyle McAusland, Luca Gasparotto, Adel Gafaiti, Tom Skogsrud; Fraser Aird (Ewan McNeill 77mins), Robbie Crawford (Kim Skogsrud 64mins), Kamil Wiktorski, Lewis McLeod, Barrie McKay (Darren Ramsay 68mins); Callum Gallagher.

Not Used:- Blair Currie, Nicolaj Kohlert, Sam McMahon, Marc Dyer.