Academy Double Header

For the first time in a few weeks today presented a chance to take in a couple of younger age group games. The U14’s (2009’s) and U16’s (2007’s) took on Hamilton Accies at The Rangers Training Centre with kick-offs being 10am and 1.30pm respectively.

Rangers 6 Hamilton Accies 1

A comfortable win for the U14’s with Josh Carson grabbing a hat-trick and it should also be mentioned that Rangers keepers Sam Reid and Jayden Millarvie both saved penalties.

The first chance came on nine minutes, Oliver Goodbrand crossed from the left the ball was headed clear but only as far as Ben Hutton and his shot from just outside the box forced a fine save from the keeper diving to his right. Five minutes later a clearance from the Accies keeper went over the Rangers defence allowing the striker to race clear, he continued into the penalty area but Aaron McAloanan advanced from goal to make the save.

Just beyond the twenty minute mark Callum Young on the edge of the box laid the ball back to Ben Hutton who’s shot was only just wide of the keeper’s left hand post. Rangers took the lead at the half’s midpoint, a slack pass across their own penalty area by an Accies defender presented Ally Shaw with a simple task of knocking the ball into the net.

The last action of the first period saw Ally Shaw play the ball forward to Ben Hutton and his shot had the keeper stretching to hold under the crossbar.

Three minutes into the second period Rangers had keeper Sam Reid to thank for keeping their lead intact. He initially made a save when the visitor’s broke into the Rangers box, with the ball loose the referee adjudged there was a foul and pointed to the spot. Sam Reid dived to his right to turn the powerfully struck shot on to the post and showed great reactions to make a second save from the rebound. A Max Cameron pass then sent Ally Shaw through but on this occasion the keeper blocked with his legs.

A short pass back then allowed Hamilton to draw level, the striker winning the race with the Rangers keeper and walking the ball into the net. The sides were level for just over five minutes before Rangers regained their lead. Josh Carson’s pass released Ally Shaw breaking through the inside right channel before passing inside for Max Cameron to shoot past the keeper.

The next chance came when Josh Carson broke into the right side of the box, the keeper parried the shot as far as Max Cameron who played the ball across the box for Ewan Gray to fire against the far post. Josh Carson then came close in a couple of occasions before the period end. From a twenty-five yard free kick and just left of centre he fired just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. A quick Max Cameron throw in then sent Josh Carson breaking into the right side of the box but he shot wide of the far post.

Accies had the first chance of the third period with a well struck twenty-five yard free kick that was held by Jayden Millarvie. A few minutes later Jayden Millarvie challenged a Hamilton attacker to a right wing cross with the referee rather harshly pointing to the spot. Jayden Millarvie produced the second fine penalty save by a Rangers keeper saving low to his left.

With fifteen minutes remaining Oliver Goodbrand advanced on the left and passed inside to Ewan Gray who stepped inside a defender before shooting just wide of the far post. Rangers soon scored a third, Oliver Goodbrand providing the pass to send Josh Carson through and he cut inside a defender before shooting past the keeper.

Rangers were now creating chances at will and a neat Josh Carson back heel released Olly Preston inside the left side of the penalty area and forced a save from the keeper at the near post. With eight minutes remaining Josh Carson chased a Jayden Millarvie clearance and cut into the left side of the box before shooting across the keeper and into the net.

The Hamilton keeper was then called into action with five minutes remaining diving to his right to turn Josh Carson’s free-kick from distance wide. Rangers then added a fifth from a Rory McKay solo effort, going past three defenders as he slalomed into the box and shooting past the keeper.

Accies then had a chance to score a second with the striker through one on one with Jayden Millarvie with the Rangers keeper producing another fine save. The scoring was completed in the final seconds a shot corner on the right was passed to Callum Young who passed inside to Josh Carson and his shot was deflected past the keeper.

Full-Time:- Rangers 6 Hamilton Accies 1

Rangers Squad:- Aaron McAloanan (Gk), Sam Reid (Gk), Jayden Millarvie (Gk), Josh Carson, Connor Owen, Stevie Nixon, Oliver Goodbrand, Ben Hutton, Max Cameron, Luke Moore, Ewan Gray, Callum Young, Ally Shaw, Pedro Chico, Olly Preston, Rory McKay.

Rangers 5 Hamilton Accies 2

The later game also saw a comfortable win for Rangers with Chris Eadie grabbing the spotlight with four superb goals.

Rangers had an early shout for a penalty when Josh Gentles was sent crashing when he cut into the penalty area from the left but the referee waved play on. Just before the quarter  hour mark a great Chris Eadie turn took him clear into the box but the keeper blocked the shot with his foot.

Accies first chance came with an attack on the right and a pass inside the shot was straight at Alfie Halliwell and didn’t trouble the Rangers keeper. Rangers took the lead on twenty five minutes from the penalty spot. Connor Campbell played the ball forward to Josh Gentles on the left and when he cut into the box he was brought down and he stepped up to convert the spotkick.

Accies came close when a corner from the right was headed goalwards but Arran Kerr was well placed to clear in front of the far post. Rangers doubled their lead a couple of minutes before the break, Harry Weir providing the pass to Chris Eadie inside the left side of the box who went past a defender before shooting past the keeper.

There was still time for the visitors to pull a goal back from another right hand corner the initial header was blocked but the rebound was fired into the net.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Hamilton Accies 1

Rangers had an early chance after the break with Jack Wylie bursting down the right and into the box with the keeper standing up to parry the shot. The game hadn’t quite reached the fifty minute mark when Chris Eadie left two defenders on the edge of the box as he burst through to shoot past the keeper.

Just beyond the hour mark Chris Eadie completed his hat trick, Josh Gentles broke on the left before passing to Chris who entered the left side of the box and shot past the keeper. Rangers next chance came when Jack Wylie broke forward from defence and passed to Josh Gentles on the left side of the box but he shot wide of the far post.

With seven minutes remaining Chris Eadie battled for possession on the edge of the box before finding the net with a shot that the keeper got a hand to but was beaten by the power. Accies grabbed a second goal with a couple of minutes remaining, it was harsh on Colbi McQuarrie who produced a stunning point blank save but was helpless as the loose ball was knocked into the net.

Full-Time:- Rangers 5 Hamilton Accies 2

Rangers:- Alfie Halliwell (Colbi McQuarrie 83mins); Arran Kerr (Kenzie McLelland HT), Jack Wylie, Leo Fisher (Cameron Scott 60 mins), Connor Campbell; Grant Marchant, Callum Adamson, Grant Leitch; Harry Weir, Chris Eadie, Josh Gentles.

Colts End Lowland League With A Win

Rangers 4 Dalbeattie Star 3

A quick dash from Fir Park to take in Rangers Colts final fixture in the Lowland League knowing a win would secure second place. The game was under way when I arrived but only missed a couple of minutes and none of the serious action.

Rangers came close on the thirteenth minute when the ball was worked in from the left to Cole McKinnon on the edge of the box and his shot clipped the bar on the way over. Rangers took the lead three minutes later, Cole McKinnon’s pass sending Tony Weston clear and he continued into the box to shoot high past Darren Holt.

The visitors tested Jay Hogarth in the twenty-sixth minute, Dylan Cairnie laid the ball back to Russell Currie  and the striker’s shot saw Jay Hogarth save low to his right. Two minutes later Tony Weston dispossessed Ryan Muir on the left hand byline and picked on Arron Lyall on the angle of the box but his shot was just wide of the far post.

Dalbeattie Star equalised just before the half hour mark, the ball broke kindly for Russell Currie and his shot from the edge of the box beat Jay Hogarth low to his right. Rangers immediately missed a great chance to restore their lead, Robbie Fraser advanced on the left, his low cross was missed by Tony Weston with Ross McCausland looking sure to score at the back post but he didn’t connect properly and his effort hit a defender.

Dalbeattie then had a couple of chances, first up when they attacked the left side of Rangers penalty area Dylan Cairnie tried his luck from the angle and Jay Hogarth was forced to make the save at his near post. Murray Miller then failed to deal with a bouncing ball inside the right side of Rangers box and Lewis Todd shot just wide of the far post.

Rangers replied when Arron Lyall sent Robbie Fraser racing into the left side of the box but the full back shot into the side netting. Three minutes before the break Arron Lyall cut in from the left, his shot was blocked but broke to Cole McKinnon who rattled the bar from the edge of the box, Tony Weston was on hand to knock the ball into the net but was flagged offside.

The goal before the break came at the other end, Kyle McLelland bringing down a Dalbeattie player inside the box and Russell Currie stepped up to convert from the spot.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Dalbeattie Star 2

Rangers were back on level term five minutes into the second half, Robbie Fraser provided the cross from the left, Tony Weston couldn’t quite convert but Ross McCausland arrived at the back post to smash the ball into the net. The visitors should have been back in front just before the hour, from a cross from the left Russell Currie’s superb cushioned header teed up Lewis Todd but he shot over.

Back to the other end and Arron Lyall in possession on the left  passed inside to Charlie McCann who’s pass released Tony Weston inside the left side of the penalty area but he shot wide of the far post. Rangers then edged ahead on sixty-four minutes, Arron Lyall on the left hand angle passed inside to Tony Weston who moved the ball on to Ross McCausland on the right angle, he laid the ball back to Cole McKinnon who beat Darren Holt low to his right from the edge of the box.

Rangers should have increased their lead with just over a quarter hour remaining, Arron Lyall’s shot was parried by Darren Holt but straight to Robbie Ure, but the substitute didn’t connect properly allowing the keeper to make the save again.  Immediately Dom McMahon broke from halfway and the Rangers defence parted allowing him to race into the box but from a great position he shot over.

The end to end action continued with Ross McCausland breaking down the right before passing inside for Robbie Ure to shoot wide of the far post. With seven minutes remaining a cross from the left found its way to Ryan Muir on the right hand byline and his looping shot bounced of the top of Jay Hogarth’s crossbar.

Rangers appeared to have secured the points with three minutes remaining, a short corner was played to Kane Ritchie-Hosler who picked out Cole McKinnon inside the right side of the box and he shot across Darren Holt and into the far corner. With virtually the last kick of the game a corner was cleared to Harry Emmerson on the left hand angle of the box and his shot looped over everyone and into the net at the far post.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 Dalbeattie Star 3

Rangers:- Jay Hogarth; Adam Devine, Kyle McLelland, Johnly Yfeko (Greig Allen HT), Robbie Fraser; Murray Miller (Kane Ritchie-Hosler 60 mins); Cole McKinnon, Charlie McCann; Ross McCausland (Jack Harkness 85 mins), Tony Weston (Robbie Ure 72 mins), Arron Lyall (Charlie Lindsay 85 mins).

Not Used:- Jacob Pazikas (Gk)

Dalbeattie Star:- Darren Holt; Ryan Muir, Liam Douglas, Jack Dickinson, Liam Park; Lewis Todd, Dom McMahon; Lewis Sloan (Harry Emmerson 72 mins) , Steven Degnan, Dylan Cairnie, Russell Currie.

Not Used:- Daryl Smith (Gk), Ross Irving.

18’s Ease To A Win

Rangers 3 Kilmarnock 0

When the Killie keeper was red carded before the game had reached the twenty minute mark it contributed in neutering any attacking threat the Ayrshire side may have had. Goals from Tyler Pasnik, Robbie Ure and Rory Wilson saw Rangers run out comfortable winners in a game they almost completely controlled.

The first significant action saw the Kilmarnock keeper red carded in the eighteenth minute, Robbie Ure raced clear on a ball over the Killie defence, he was brought down as he rounded the keeper twenty-five yards from goal. The referee possibly rather harshly brandished a red card. From the free-kick the substitute keeper failed to hold Darren McInally’s shot and Tyler Pasnik knocked the loose ball into the net but was flagged offside.

Rangers took the lead less than ten minutes later with a well worked goal, Darren McInally passed the ball forward which was dummied by Tyler Pasnik to allow the ball to run to Robbie Ure on the edge of the box who picked out Tyler’s run into the box from where he poked the ball past the keeper. Nine minutes before the break Kevin Cuibotaru attacked the left hand angle of the Killie box, when he was challenged the ball broke to Darren McInally and his twenty-five yarder crashed back off the crossbar.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Kilmarnock 0

Rangers took only four minutes of the second half to double their lead, Robbie Ure exchanged passes with Leyton Dunlop on the edge of the box then turned a defender inside the box before beating the keeper with a cool finish. Rangers next chance came when Mackenzie Strachan picked on Jack Harkness on the right hand angle of the box, he headed inside to Robbie Ure who went past a defender but was denied when the keeper blocked with his legs.

Kilmarnock had show little in the way of an attacking threat but should have reduced the deficit just after the hour mark. A powerfully struck free-kick from the edge of the box was parried by Jack McConnell, the rebound looked sure to be converted but a poor connection on the ball allowed it to be cleared. With ten minutes remaining it was Rangers turn to test the keeper from a free-kick, Zak McKay struck the shot with the keeper diving high to his right to make the save.

With four minutes remaining Rangers grabbed a third, Jack Roberts playing the pass to release Rory Wilson inside the left side of the penalty area where he rounded the keeper before rolling the ball into the net. The last chance of the game saw Zak McKay hit the right hand byline from where he picked out Rory Wilson on the edge of the box, he met it perfectly on the volley but the keeper produced a stunning save low to his right.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Kilmarnock 0

Rangers:- Jack McConnell; Connor Allan, Kristian Webster, Kelsey Ewan (Zander Hutton HT); Jack Harkness (Zak McKay 64 mins), Darren McInally, Mackenzie Strachan, Kevin Cuibotaru (Leyton Dunlop HT); Charlie Lindsay (Jack Roberts 64 mins); Robbie Ure (Rory Wilson 64 mins), Tyler Pasnik.

Not Used:- Jacob Pazikas (Gk), Ryan Duncan.

 

Shootout Win For Colts

Rangers 2 Celtic 2 (Rangers won 5-4 on penalties)

The drama of a penalty shootout saw Rangers progress to the Glasgow Cup final at the expense of their city rivals. With the shootout sitting at 4-4 after the first eight penalties were scored, Lewis Budinauckas dived to his left to parry Ben Wylie’s penalty setting up Charlie McCann to win it by converting Rangers fifth spot kick.

Celtic took the lead in the twelfth minute, Karamoko Dembele combined with Ben Wylie to send Johnny Kenny to the right hand byline, the striker’s ball across the six yard box presented Michael Johnston with a tap in. Ten minutes later Michael Johnston exchanged passes with Karamoko Dembele but was denied by a brilliant Adam Devine challenge, the ball broke to Ben Wylie who saw his shot deflected wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

Rangers immediate response saw Adam Devine and Ross McCausland combine on the right, the ball was passed inside to Charlie McCann who’s shot from the edge of the box forced Tobi Oluwayemi to dive to his left to make the save. Rangers threatened on the hour mark when Adam Devine passed to Ross McCausland a superb turn took him to the byline and his ball into the six yard box forced Christopher Jullien to clear.

Sixty seconds later were level with a superb goal, Alex Lowry on the left hand byline picked out Ross McCausland on the edge of the box, the Rangers winger met it on the volley giving Tobi Oluwayemi no chance as it beat the keeper low to his left. With the half entering the final ten minutes Ben Wylie cut in from the right and his shot from the edge of the box saw Lewis Budinauckas save low to his left.

Both sides had a chance in the final five minutes of the half, Karamoko Dembele passed to Johnny Kenny inside the right side of the box, his cross to the back post was volleyed goalwards by Michael Johnston which Lewis Budinauckas saved comfortably. Rangers reply was a Charlie McCann twenty-five yarder that required a routine save from Tobi Oluwayemi low to his left.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Celtic 1

Rangers had the first chance of the half a couple of minutes in when Adam Devine broke into the right side of the penalty area with Tobi Oluwayemi making the block. A couple of minutes later Christopher Jullien passed the ball forward to Mackenzie Carse who was initially denied by a great Charlie McCann challenge and when the ball broke back to the Celtic midfielder Lewis Budinauckas was forced to save at his near post.

The fifty-seventh minute saw end to end chances, Kyle McClelland’s cushioned header teed up a shooting chance for Ross McCausland from the edge of the box that Tobi Oluwayemi saved low to his left. Karamoko Dembele on the right hand angle of the box passed inside to Ben Wylie and his shot saw Lewis Budinauckas make a similar save.

Celtic threatened again with Charlie McCann blocking Ben Summers effort, the ball broke to Karamoko Dembele and he forced a save from Lewis Budinauckas at his near post. Just beyond the hour mark Celtic took the lead, Karamoko Dembele went past two Rangers defenders as he broke down the right, his ball into the six yard box was poked past Lewis Budinauckas by Ben Summers.

Rangers were back on level terms with a quarter hour remaining and it was another superb goal, Charlie McCann picked out Cole McKinnon’s run into the box with a brilliant chipped pass, the midfielder controlled the ball before slipping it past Tobi Oluyameni. Lewis Budinauckas was called into action within a minute, reacting to divert Karamoko Dembele’s deflected shot from inside the right side of the penalty area wide of his near post.

With twelve minutes remaining Adam Devine in possession on the right passed inside to Ross McCausland and a great turn allowed him to get a shot away which was just wide of the far post. Rangers had the final chance of the ninety minutes, the ball moving from Cole McKinnon through Charlie McCann to Alex Lowry who shot just wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

And so to the penalty shootout, Leon King, Cole McKinnon, Alex Lowry and Robbie Fraser scoring their penalties and with Ben Summers, Michael Johnston, Adam Brooks and Rocco Vata doing the same. Setting it up for that Lewis Budinauckas save and Charlie McCann’s conversion to take Rangers through.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Celtic 2 (Rangers won 5-4 on penalties)

Rangers:- Lewis Budinauckas; Adam Devine, Kyle McClelland, Leon King, Robbie Fraser; Murray Miller; Cole McKinnon, Charlie McCann; Ross McCausland, Tony Weston (Robbie Ure 62mins), Alex Lowry.

Not Used:- Jay Hogarth (Gk), Greig Allen, Johnly Yfeko, Charlie Lindsay, Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Arron Lyall.

Celtic:- Tobi Oluyameni; Josh Dede (Dylan Corr HT), Christopher Jullien, Ewan Otto, Brody Paterson; Bosun Lawal (Tsoanelo Lotsosa 82 mins); Ben Wylie, Mackenzie Carse (Ben Summers 59 mins); Karamoko Dembele (Rocco Vata 88 mins), Johnny Kenny (Adam Brooks 59 mins), Michael Johnston.

Not Used:- Joe Morrison (Gk), Joey Dawson.

Jekyll & Hyde From Colts

Rangers 5 Gala Fairydean Rovers 2

It was very much a Jekyll & Hyde performance from Rangers Colts at Dumbarton tonight, coasting at the break after three superb first half goals there was a complete change round after the break. Gala really should have levelled the game before Rangers made the points secure in the final four minutes.

Rangers had the first chance in the fourth minute, Tony Weston outside the left side of the penalty area passed to Charlie Lindsay inside the box with the midfielder shooting narrowly over. Two minutes later Rangers were in front, Tony Weston suppling the cross from close to the right hand byline for Aaron Lyall to volley past Josh Blair at the back post.

The game still hadn’t reached the quarter hour mark when Rangers doubled their lead, Aaron Lyall in possession left of centre picked out Ross McCausland in side the penalty area and he side stepped a defender before picking his spot. Rangers made it three on the half hour, Robbie Fraser providing the cross from the left for Ross McCausland to volley past Josh Blair.

Rangers really should have added a fourth ten minutes before the break, Adam Devine switched play from the right to Robbie Fraser on the left, his cross picked out Tony Weston who looked certain to score but shot over. Gala had show little in attack but just before the break Zander Murray on the right side of the box he passed across the eighteen yard line to Marc Berry who shot just wide of Jay Hogarth’s right hand post.

Half-Time:- Rangers 3 Gala Fairydean Rovers 0

The second half was barely a minute old when Rangers failed to clear a ball into the box and it fell for Marc Berry to fire into the net. Rangers reply saw Aaron Lyall in possession on the left and when he passed inside Ross McCausland’s shot was straight at Josh Blair.

A couple of minutes later Rangers defence was caught out by Josh Blair’s clearance and Zander Murray raced clear, the striker’s shot beat Jay Hogarth but came back off the crossbar. Just before the hour mark Ryan Schiavone attacked down the right and his cross set up a scramble inside Rangers penalty area with Marc Berry’s shot being deflected wide.

A Charlie Lindsay solo effort saw him leave two defenders in his wake before firing a twenty-five yarder narrowly over. Rangers came closer still as the half approached the midpoint, Robbie Fraser crossing from the left and Tony Weston heading against the crossbar.

With twenty minutes remaining Rangers lead was reduced to a single goal, a corner from the left saw Rangers struggle to clear and the ball eventually fell for Lewis Hall to shoot past Jay Hogarth. Two minutes later a miscued Greig Allen header really should have lead to a Gala equaliser, Marc Berry raced clear but shot over with just the keeper to beat.

A point blank save from Josh Blair kept the deficit at a single goal, Ross McCausland cut in from the right and picked out Tony Weston who was denied by the keeper. A fourth Rangers goal with four minutes remaining secured the win, Charlie McCann’s long pass picked out Aaron Lyall on the right who went past a defender and crossed to find Ross McCausland arriving at the far post, his shot was blocked on the line but fell for Kane Ritchie-Hosler to supply a simple finish.

In injury time Tony Weston was brought down as he advanced into the right side of the penalty area, with Charlie McCann converting the resultant penalty.

Full-Time:- Rangers 5 Gala Fairydean Rovers 2

Rangers:- Jay Hogarth; Adam Devine, Greig Allen (Darren McInally 84 mins), Kyle McClelland (Connor Allan 72 mins), Robbie Fraser; Charlie McCann; Cole McKinnon, Charlie Lindsay (Kane Ritchie-Hosler 66 mins); Ross McCausland, Tony Weston, Aaron Lyall.

Not Used:- Lewis Budinauckas (Gk), Jack Harkness.

Gala Fairydean Rovers:- Josh Blair; Callum Hall, Gregor Jordan, Lewis Grant, Liam Campbell; Aaron Darge; Ryan Schiavone (Scott Cusick 63 mins), Ciaren Chalmers (Phil Addison 63 mins), Lewis Hall, Marc Berry; Zander Murray.

Not Used:- Kit McRitchie (Gk), Sean Docherty, Martin Scott, Ross Aitchison.

Away Win For 18’s

Hamilton Accies 0 Rangers 1

Rory Wilson’s early strike was enough to give Rangers U18’s the points at New Douglas Park this afternoon. In truth the win should have been by a more comfortable margin, with Rory Wilson, Connor Allan and Robbie Ure all hitting the woodwork.

Rangers had the first opening of the game in the sixth minute, Robbie Ure breaking into the box from the left hand angle with the Accies keeper saving comfortably low to his left. Seven minutes later Rangers took the lead, Leyton Dunlop passed to Rory Wilson inside the box and a superb first touch teed him up nicely to slot the ball past the keeper.

The home side’s first effort came on twenty-five minutes, winning the ball on the left hand angle of the box before the ball was passed inside but the shot was straight at Jacob Pazikas who made a routine save. Accies had another chance five minutes later, the ball was played to the striker on the edge of the box, a turn and shot saw the ball going just wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Rangers came close to doubling their lead six minutes before the break, Robbie Ure wide right and close to the byline went past a defender, his ball across the six yard box was met by Rory Wilson at the back post, the keeper clawed the ball away with Rangers claiming the ball had crossed the line but the referee waved play on. A minute later the Accies keeper’s clearance saw their right winger out pace the Rangers defence he chose to shoot early and Jacob Pazikas saved easily.

Three minutes before half time the ball broke to Robbie Ure and he released Rory Wilson inside the right side of the box but his shot clipped the outside of the near post. The home side had the final chance of the half breaking deep into the right side of the Rangers penalty area and forcing Jacob Pazikas to produce a fine save.

Half-Time :- Hamilton Accies 0 Rangers 1

The first real chance after the break came a couple of minutes shy of the hour mark, Robbie Ure releasing Tyler Pasnik inside the right side of the box and he was denied by a fine save from the keeper. Rangers next chance came when Jack Harkness broke down the right and passed inside to Robbie Ure but his shot was deflected wide.

Rangers then came close twice in a minute, a superb move saw Leyton Dunlop send Kevin Cuibotaru racing down the left, he picked out Connor Allan arriving inside the penalty area and his shot crashed off the underside of the bar. Almost immediately Jack Harkness advanced on the right and from his cross Rory Wilson fired into the side netting. Rangers could have taken any doubt away with six minutes remaining, Tyler Pasnik’s ball over the Accies defence picked out Robbie Ure inside the box where he turned a defender before shooting against the crossbar.

Full-Time:- Hamilton Accies 0 Rangers 1

Rangers:- Jacob Pazikas; Jack Harkness (Zak McKay 71 mins), Kristian Webster, Kelsey Ewan, Kevin Cuibotaru (Leyton Grant 85 mins); Mackenzie Strachan; Darren McInally (Connor Allan 62 mins), Leyton Dunlop (Ryan Duncan 85 mins); Tyler Pasnik, Rory Wilson, Robbie Ure.

Not Used:- Jack McConnell (Gk), Zak Queen, Kerr Robertson.

Colts Bounce Back

Celtic 0 Rangers 1

Rangers Colts bounced back from Saturday’s disappointing performance and defeat to Stirling University with a comfortable if narrow win over their city rivals at Celtic Park. Cole McKinnon’s header midway through the second half separated the sides in a game where Rangers carried the bulk of the threat in front of goal.

Rangers had a great chance to open the scoring when Tony Weston raced through on a slack pass back but his attempted chip over the keeper was much to high and the ball went well over. Celtic’s reply saw Karamoko Dembele in possession on the left, he passed inside to Mackenzie Carse who moved the ball on to Johnny Kenny to turn and shoot with Lewis Budinauckas saving comfortably.

 On seventeen minutes Kane Ritchie-Hosler blocked a clearance and the ball broke to Tony Weston on the edge of the box, he passed to Ross McCausland on the right hand angle who cut inside and his shot forced Tobi Oluwayemi to save low to his left. On the half hour mark Kane Ritchie-Hosler on the right passed inside to Cole McKinnon but his shot was straight at Tobi Oluwayemi.

Eight minutes before the break Kane Ritchie-Hosler dispossessed ben Wylie on the right side of the box and passed inside to Tony Weston who moved the ball further right to Ross McCausland he cut inside but Ewan Otto deflected the shot over.

Half-Time:- Celtic 0 Rangers 0

Following a corner Bosun Lawal finds himself in possession inside the left side of Rangers penalty area and close to the byline, his low cross is gathered by Lewis Budinauckas at the second attempt. The Rangers keeper was called into action ten minutes into the second half, diving to his right to turn Rocco Vata’s shot wide.

Eight minutes later Greig Allen lost possession inside his own box but Johnny Kenny’s shot was straight at Lewis Budiauckas. Just before the midpoint of the half Robbie Fraser’s free-kick from just outside the right side of the box forced Tobi Oluyameni to turn the ball wide of his near post. From Robbie Fraser’s corner Cole McKinnon rose highest to power a header into the net.

With seven minutes remaining Adam Brooks broke into the left side of the box, his shot forcing Lewis Budinauckas to parry with the defence clearing the loose ball. In injury time Charlie McCann broke forward to the edge of the box before shooting and forcing Tobi Oluyamni to save low to his right.

Full-Time:- Celtic 0 Rangers 1

Celtic:- Tobi Oluyameni; Dylan Corr, Bosun Lawal, Ewan Otto, Matthew Anderson; Mackenzie Carse (Magnus McKenzie 53 mins); Ben Wylie, Owen Moffat (Ben Summers 69 mins); Rocco Vata (Joey Dawson 81 mins), Johnny Kenny (Adam Brooks 69 mins), Karamoko Dembele.

Not Used:- Ryan Mullen (Gk), Josh Dede, Tsoanelo Letsosa.

Rangers:- Lewis Budinauckas; Adam Devine, Greig Allen, Kyle McClelland, Robbie Fraser; Murray Miller; Cole McKinnon, Charlie McCann; Ross McCausland (Arron Lyall 83 mins), Tony Weston (Charlie Lindsay 89 mins), Kane Ritchie-Hosler (Robbie Ure 68 mins)

Not Used:- Jay Hogarth (Gk), Jack Harkness, Mackenzie Strachan, Darren McInally.

Colts Hit A Low

Stirling University 4 Rangers 0

I haven’t been to every Lowland League game this season but I can confidently predict this was The Colts poorest performance of the season. Against the part time students who they comfortably put five past earlier in the season, this was a complete turnaround losing by four goals.

Stirling took the lead on twenty minutes, the ball was played to James Stokes on the right, he went through a Robbie Fraser challenge as he broke into the penalty area before shooting across Arron Cervantes and into the net. Rangers came close to levelling the game within two minutes, Ross McCausland providing the cross from the right with Tony Weston’s effort coming back off the woodwork.

The home side doubled their lead on twenty-six minutes, Arron Cervantes came from a corner from the left and got nowhere near it, with Connor Doan towering above the keeper to power a header into the net. A couple of minutes beyond the half hour mark Robbie Fraser delivered a corner from the right to the back post, Kyle McClelland headed back into the six yard box and Tony Weston’s flick saw Ben Fry produce a fine save.

Rangers next chance came when Arron Lyall passed to Ross McCausland on the left hand angle of the box and his shot forced Ben Fry to tip over.

Half-Time:- Stirling University 2 Rangers 0

Five minutes after the break Robbie Fraser’s pass sends Arron Lyall racing into the left side of the penalty area but Ben Fry races from his goal to make the block. Within a minute Rangers gift the home side a third, Kyle McClelland is caught in possession inside his own box and close to the left hand byline by James Stokes who roles the ball across goal presenting Jamie Penker with a simple finish.

Rangers then had a lot of possession with out really troubling Ben Fry in the Stirling goal with the home side carrying a threat on the break. The scoring was completed with a minute remaining, the ball broke to Euan McGill inside the box and he shot past Arron Cervantes.

Full-Time:- Stirling University 4 Rangers 0

Stirling University:- Ben Fry; Robbie McGale, Marcus Lavery, Joel Taylor, Matty Burrows; James Stokes, James Berry, Connor Doan (Lucas DeZoeten 59mins (Euan McGill 85 mins)), ; Jason Jarvis (Ben Davidson 80 mins), Scott McArthur, Jamie Penker (Cammy McKinlay 59 mins).

Not Used:- Yan Gromov Godik (Gk), Buronbek Mirzalsalimov, Louis Kennedy.

Rangers:- Arron Cervantes; Adam Devine, Kyle McLelland, Johnly Yfeko, Robbie Fraser: Murray Miller; Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Charlie McCann; Ross McCausland (Leyton Dunlop 85 mins), Tony Weston, Arron Lyall (Cole McKinnon 59 mins).

Not Used:- Lewis Budinauckas (Gk), Kelsey Ewan, Kerr Robertson.