Win For 15’s Over Hibernian

Rangers 3 Hibernian 1

A dominant first half was the foundation of Rangers Under 15’s win over Hibernian at Rangers Training Centre this afternoon establishing a two goal lead. The second half was more even with both sides having chances but Rangers ran out worthy winners.

The visitors had a chance in the opening minute when they hit the left hand byline, when the ball was centred it was knocked wide of the near post. Rangers first chance came when Jack Caldwell sent Brandon Ramage into the right side of the box with the keeper saving at his near post.

Rangers took the lead on ten minutes with Cammy Fernie being the architect with a pass that sent Brandon Ramage clear to continue into the box and shoot past the keeper. A couple of minutes later Flynn O’Brien fired a free-kick on the edge of the box and left of centre just wide of the near post.

On the quarter hour mark Alex Smith in possession on the left passed to Thomas Falconer on the angle of the box and his shot forced the keeper to turn the ball wide of the near post. Just over five minutes later when Rangers attacked the ball broke to Flynn O’Brien inside the left side of the box but the keeper blocked the shot with an outstretched foot.

Duncan Barlow’s pass sent Jack Caldwell to the right hand byline, his low cross picked out Flynn O’Brien who saw his shot blocked with Brandon Ramage poking the rebound straight at the keeper. Rangers doubled their lead just before the half hour with Brandon Ramage on target again, Alex Smith was the provider on this occasion, his pass freeing the striker inside the right side of the box where he shot past the keeper.

Another chance soon followed when Cammy Fernie won the ball and broke forward before playing in Brandon Ramage inside the right side of the box but on this occasion he shot into the side netting. Hibs had shown little in attack but a cross from the right created an opportunity but it was headed over.

The last effort of the first half was a long range shot from Thomas Falconer towards the left hand angle of the box which was straight at the keeper.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Hibernian 0

The visitors reduced the deficit ten minutes after the break, from a ball over the Rangers defence the attacker won a challenge with Greig Thackray on the edge of the box to knock the ball into the net. Rangers first chance of the second half came when Thomas Falconer passed to Alex Smith who attacked the box before playing in Jose Calela on the left side of the box, but his right foot effort was weak when a left foot shot looked the better option and the keeper saved comfortably.

Hibs had a chance around the midpoint of the half with a break into the right side of the box but the shot was fired over. Rangers restored their two goal advantage with a quarter hour remaining, a short corner routine setup Aidan Crilly to dribble past a defender into the left side of the box, the keeper parried his shot up into the air with Duncan Barlow well placed to nod the ball into the net.

The visitors then had an effort from around twenty five yards that was just too high. In Hibernian’s next attack Greig Thackray was called into action, the keeper getting a foot to the ball as the attacker tried to round him inside the left side of the penalty area.

The final chance came for Rangers when Ronald Nimyel passed to Cammy Fernie who went past a defender into the right side of the box but shot over.

The Rangers squad had two U16’s playing down and two U14’s playing up.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Hibernian 1

Rangers Squad:- Greig Thackray (Gk), Jack Caldwell, Duncan Barlow, Olly Hynd, Thomas Falconer, Aidan McCallion, Cammy Fernie, Alex Smith, Brandon Ramage, Jose Calela, Flynn O’Brien, Evan Molloy, Ronald Nimyer, Trialist No 17, Ben Hutton, Aidan Crilly.

Footnote:- Rangers Under 13’s beat their Hibernian counterparts 5-2 at Rangers Training Centre last night, I don’t have any other details.

Lennoxtown Defeat For 18’s

Celtic 3 Rangers 0

Having watched Hamilton Accies being held by Dundee United  in the afternoon Rangers had a chance to close the gap at the top of the table against Celtic at Lernnoxtown tonight. Over the piece the young Rangers side were second best as Celtic ran out comfortable winners.

Celtic had the first chance on five minutes, Tom Hatton on the right hand angle of the box passed to Lewis Dobbie inside the penalty area and he laid the ball back to Aidan Borland but his shot was wide of the far post. Five minutes later Tom Hatton swing a corner from the right towards the back post to Evan Easton who saw his header deflected over.

Rangers first effort came on the quarter hour mark when Tyler Pasnik went past a defender on the left hand byline and his shot from a tight angle was turned past the near post by Marcus Gill. The corner was sent to the back post where Kristian Webster’s downward header bounced inside the box and Archie Stevens headed over.

Tyler Pasnik then showed a neat piece of skill to turn past a defender on the edge of the box with Marcus Gill saving his shot low to his left. Celtic then took the lead on twenty-five minutes, Tom Hattonwas allowed to run sixty yards unchallenged from inside his own half to the right hand angle of Rangers box where he shot past Mason Munn.

Rangers were then forced into a change with Jack Roberts replacing the injured Archie Stevens. Celtic survived a scare a couple of minutes after the half hour mark when Marcus Gill’s clearance cannoned off Chris Eadie and over the crossbar. When the ball then came in from Celtic’s right Jude Bonnar had a chance with Mason Munn saving low to his right.

Rangers then missed a great chance to equalise, Cammy Scott’s cross from the left picked out Paul Nsio at the back post but his first time effort was back across goal and wide. The game was going through a bit of an end to end phase and when Tom Pickford cut in from the right Mason Munn dived to his right to save.

Zander Hutton then played Jack Roberts through and into the right side of the box with Marcus Gill blocking with his legs. The home side doubled their lead six minutes before the break, from a low cross from the right hand byline Paul Nsio made a superb block on the initial shot but the ball fell for Lewis Dobbie to net from the edge of the six yard box.

Rangers tried to respond and Jack Roberts attacked the penalty area and passed to Zander Hutton on the right with Marcus Gill diving out to gather his low cross. Zander Hutton then broke forward and cut in from the right before shooting narrowly over.

In the final minute of the half Finlay Curtis crossed from the left and Paul Nsio headed over. There was still time for Chris Eadie to exchange passes with Finlay Curtis on the left side of the penalty area before shooting just wide of the near post.

Half-Time:- Celtic 2 Rangers 0

The first real chance after the break came for home side with a break into the right side of the box and when the shot came in Mason Munn turned the ball wide of his near post. Rangers came close with the hour mark approaching when the ball broke kindly for Jack Roberts inside the right side of the box but was denied by Jamie Meikle diving to his right.

At the other end Lewis Dobbie’s effort from the edge of the box came back off the crossbar. Benny Jackson-Luyeye then went past a defender and into the right side of the box with Mason Munn making the save.

With just over twenty minutes remaining Zak McKay advanced on the left and laid the ball back to Tyler Pasnik on the angle of the box with his shot being deflected just wide of the far post. Tyler Pasnik then fired in a free-kick from close to the left hand byline that Jamie Meikle touched wide of the far post.

The Celtic keeper was called into action again when Zander Hutton released Jack Roberts inside the right side of the box with Jamie Meikle saving at his near post. The next chance came for Cammy Cooper inside the left side of the penalty area but he shot straight at Jamie Meikle.

Celtic then had a great chance when Daniel Cumming was sent through on goal, he tried to chip the keeper with Mason Munn saving comfortably. With ten minutes remaining Tyler Pasnik crossed from the right hand angle and found the unmarked Cammy Cooper at the back post who headed meekly wide.

The home side made the game safe with five minutes remaining, Daniel Cummings broke into the left side of the penalty area and played the ball across the box for Aiden Borland to shoot past Mason Munn, The final effort of the game  saw a Bailey Rice twenty-five yarder wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Full-Time:- Celtic 3 Rangers 0

Celtic :- Marcus Gill (Jamie Meikle HT); Caleb Goldie, Alasdair Davidson, Evan Easton, Mitchel Frame; Francis Turley, Aidan Cannon (Andrew Kyle 83 Mins); Aiden Borland; Tom Hatton, Lewis Dobbie (Daniel Cummings 60 Mins), Jude Bonnar (Benny Jackson Luyeye HT)

Rangers:- Mason Munn; Zander Hutton, Kristian Webster, Leyton Grant (Jack Wylie 60 Mins), Cammy Scott (Zak McKay 56 Mins); Bailey Rice; Paul Nsio (Kerr Robertson HT), Finlay Curtis; Archie Stevens (Jack Roberts 26 Mins), Chris Eadie (Cammy Cooper 56 Mins)

Not Used:- Alfie Halliwell (Gk), Kieron Willox.

16’s Hit Five Second Half Goals

Rangers 5 Motherwell 1

Rangers Under 16’s blew Motherwell away in the second half at The Rangers Training Centre tonight, trailing at the break they completely turned the game around after the break and had established a two goal lead by the hour mark.

With the first attack of the game Motherwell took the lead, a cross from the right broke to an attacker inside the left side of the box and it was fired past Greig Thackray. Five minutes later the visitors had another chance inside the left side of the box but this time the shot was into the side netting.

Rangers first attack saw Arran Kerr play the ball forward  to Josh Gentles who broke into the right side of the box to force a save from the keeper. With the midpoint of the half approaching Thomas Falconer crossed from the left, Lewis Stuart got a touch but the keeper was quick from his line to make the block.

Rangers next chance came when Arran Kerr got his head to a Aiden McCallion corner from the left with the keeper turning the ball wide of his left hand post. The corner on the right was played short and from Lyle Wark’s cross Aiden McCallion headed just over.

A couple of minutes later Lyle Wark’s free-kick was cleared to Aiden McCallion on the edge of the box but his shot was straight at the keeper. At the other end a corner from the left broke to an attacker inside the box who was denied by a superb Greig Thackray save.

Duncan Barlow played a ball over the Motherwell defence to send Josh Gentles clear but he screwed his shot well wide of the keeper’s left hand post. Motherwell were soon back on the attack and when the ball was played into the right side of the penalty area Greig Thackray was forced into a save at the near post.

When the ball was played in from the left Aiden McCallion teed up Lyle Wark whose shot from around twenty-five yards was just too high. Motherwell had the final effort of the half with an attack on the left and into the box with the shot hitting the top of the bar on the way over.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Motherwell 1

Rangers had an early chance after the break when Lyle Wark hit the left hand byline and  cut the ball back to Grant Leitch but his shot was straight at the keeper. Rangers were level  before the second half was five minutes old, Grant Leitch on the left picked out Aiden McCallion inside the box and he side stepped a defender before shooting past the keeper.

Rangers continued to threaten and Josh Gentles free-kick from the left hand angle of the box was just wide of the far post. Rangers were soon in from when Josh Gentles showed great skill inside the box before shooting past the keeper.

Before the game reached the hour mark a pass inside from the left was controlled and fired past the keeper from the edge of the box by Lewis Stewart. Motherwell showed they were still in the game with an attack into the right side of the box but the shot was wide of the far post.

Rangers then had two chances in quick succession, a short corner on the left saw Josh Gentles progress along the byline and force a save from the keeper. Josh Gentles then turned provider when he picked out Lewis Stewart inside the box with the keeper again making the save.

In the next attack Rangers scored a fourth, Cammy Fernie passed to Lyle Wark and his through ball sent Josh Gentles through to continue into the box and shoot past the keeper. At the other end Greig Thackray blocked a shot with his legs when Motherwell progressed into the left side of the box.

Cammy Fernie sent Thomas Falconer down the left and when he cut into the penalty area he was brought down for a clear penalty, with Josh Gentles completing his hat-trick from the spot. The visitors kept battling away and another attack into the right side of the box and forcing a save from Greig Thackray diving to his left.

The final chance of the game was a Cammy Fernie twenty-five yarder that saw the Motherwell keeper dive high to his left to produce a fine save.

Full-Time:- Rangers 5 Motherwell 1

Rangers :- Greig Thackray; Arran Kerr, Leo Fisher, Duncan Barlow, Thomas Falconer; Grant Leitch; Callum Adamson (Jack Wylie HT), Aiden McCallion (Cammy Fernie 61 Mins); Lewis Stewart (Alex Smith 69 Mins), Josh Gentles, Jose Calela (Lyle Wark 69 Mins).

Another Win For U18’s

Rangers 3 Aberdeen 0

My normal rule is I take in the game involving the older team, but with the final Lowland League game against Caledonian Braves a dead rubber and with the Under 18 League tight at the top with as many as six teams in with a chance of finishing top it was the Under 18 game for me.

Rangers had the first real chance on the quarter hour mark, Zander Hutton in possession on the right passed inside to Archie Stevens who moved it onto Cammy Cooper inside the left side of the box with his shot deflected just wide of the far post. The next chance came when Paul Nsio won the ball on the right side of the penalty area and it was moved from right to left via Archie Stevens and Tyler Pasnik onto Cammy Cooper who saw his shot deflected over.

With the midpoint of the half approaching the ball was worked out to Zander Hutton on the right, from his cross Archie Stevens’s header downwards bounced into the arms of Rodrigo Vitols. On the half hour mark Finlay Curtis passed to Arche Stevens on the left, he cut inside before seeing his shot deflected wide of the far post.

Two minutes later Aberdeen missed the chance of the half, Alfie Stewart on the right crossed to the unmarked Findlay Marshall at the back post but he volleyed wide. Within seconds Alfie Stewart was shooting from the edge of the box with Mason Munn saving low to his left.

Back to the other end and Finlay Curtis passed to Tyler Pasnik on the left hand angle of the box and when he cut inside Rodrigo Vitols tipped his shot over. Tyler Pasnik swung the corner from the right to the back post where Cammy Cooper headed straight at the keeper.

Rangers next chance came when Archie Stevens cut in from the right and his shot clipped the outside of the far post as it went wide. Soon after Finlay Curtis passed to Archie Stevens on the right hand angle of the box, his pass inside was dummied by Tyler Pasnik setting up a shooting chance for Kerr Robertson that went narrowly over.

Five minutes before the break Dylan Lobban passed the ball to Alfie Stewart on the right side of the box and he cut inside before shooting wide of the far post. With the game in first half stoppage time Finlay Curtis cut inside a defender inside the right side of the box but his shot was weak and Rodrigo Vitols saved comfortably.

There was still time for a chance at the other end, Mason Munn’s pass out from the back was intercepted by Findlay Marshall who passed to Lewis Pirrie on the edge of the box with the Rangers keeper redeeming himself saving low to his right.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Aberdeen 0

The first chance after the break came when Tyler Pasnik passed to Zander Hutton on the right and he advanced into the box before shooting across the face of goal. Two minutes later when the ball was cleared from Rangers box it was collected by Adam Emslie whose shot struck the bar on the way over.

Rangers took the lead on fifty-seven minutes, Paul Nsio breaking forward and releasing Archie Stevens inside the right side of the penalty area where he shot past Rodrigo Vitols. Rangers doubled their lead from the penalty spot on the hour mark, Tyler Pasnik picked out Finlay Curtis’s run into the left side of the box where he was taken down by the keeper for a clear penalty. Finlay Curtis netting from the spot.

Aberdeen tried to respond and when Lewis Pirie passed to Alfie Bavidge inside the left side of the box it took a brilliant Kristian Webster challenge to clear the danger. In the visitors next attack Alfie Bavidge went past Kristian Webster into the left side of the box and his shot was touched wide of the far post by Mason Munn.

The game was inside the final quarter hour when Brendan Hamilton advanced on the left and passed inside to Adam Emslie who shot wide of Mason Munn’s left hand post. Mason Munn was then called into action by his Northern Ireland team mate Brendan Hamilton, stretching to tip the full-back’s cross from the left over.

With three minutes remaining the ball was played across the penalty area to Zak McKay inside the left side of the box, his shot beat the keeper but was cleared from the line by Victor Enem, Archie Stevens looked sure to score from the loose ball but was denied by a stunning Rodrigo Vitols save. Rangers third was only delayed and when Zak McKay won the ball on the left side of the box it was moved on to Finlay Curtis who shot in off the post.

The final chance came when Kieron Willox  broke into the right side of the penalty area but his shot was straight at Rodrigo Vitols.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Aberdeen 0

Rangers :- Mason Munn; Zander Hutton, Kristian Webster, Leyton Grant, Cammy Scott (Zak McKay 78 Mins); Kerr Robertson (Christian Mulindwa 86 Mins); Paul Nsio (Callum Adamson 72 Mins), Finlay Curtis; Archie Stevens, Cammy Cooper (Jack Roberts 57 Mins), Tyler Pasnik (Kieron Willox 78 Mins)

Not Used:- Alfie Halliwell (Gk), Jack Wylie.

Aberdeen:- Rodrigo Vitols; Victor Emen, Kai Watson, Blair McKenzie, Brendan Hamilton; Findlay Marshall, Dylan Lobban; Alfie Stewart, Adam Emslie; Alfie Bavidge, Lewis Pirie (Fletcher Boyd 88 Mins)

Not Used:- Reuben Smillie (Gk), Blessing Oluyemi (Gk), Kristopher Kondolo, Timi Fatona, Jamie Mercer, Finlay Murray

Wins For Colts And U13’s

East Stirling 2 Rangers 3

Rangers Colts had to survive another early red card to secure a hard fought win over East Stirling at The Falkirk Stadium this afternoon.

Rangers took the lead in the fifth minute, Thompson Ishaka was challenged inside the box and the ball broke to Charlie Lindsay who shot past Ross Connelly. On the quarter hour mark a training ground corner routine almost produced a second, from a corner on the right Robbie Fraser passed to Arron Lyall inside the penalty area but he shot wide of the near post.

Rangers were reduced to ten men on twenty-seven minutes when Thompson Ishaka was shown a straight red card for an alleged head butt on Connor Greene. The home side came close when a corner came in from the left and Kyle Ewing headed narrowly over. Eight minutes before the break the sides were level, Shaun Brown swung in a corner from the right and Kyle Ewing headed past Jacob Paxikas.

Five minutes later the home side took the lead, when the ball was played into the box from the right Lewis MacKinnon blocked the initial shot but the ball fell for Jack Hodge to net from around the penalty spot. Rangers had a chance to level before the break when Arron level crossed from the left hand byline with Robbie Ure slicing wide of the far post from close range,

Half-Time:- East Stirling 2 Rangers 1

Rangers grabbed an equaliser just beyond the hour mark from the penalty spot, Jack Harkness broke into the box and went down under a challenge with the referee pointing to the spot for what looked like a rather soft award. Arron Lyall did the needful from twelve yards.  Rangers threatened when the ball was worked to Jack Harkness on the right and low cross into the six yard box was cleared over his own bar by Kyle Ewing.

With the final quarter hour approaching Robbie Ure was free inside the left side of the penalty area but was denied by Ross Connelly’s outstretched foot. Rangers took the lead with nine minutes remaining from their second penalty of the match, Connor Allan chased a through ball and got there before Ross Connelly, he was clattered by the keeper as he poked the ball goalwards, James Graham knocked the ball into the net but was flagged offside. The referee had already blown for the keepers challenge so up stepped Aaron Lyall to score his second spot kick.

With four minutes remaining Shaun Brown crossed from the left and Niyah Joseph’s header forced Jacob Pazikas to turn the ball over. With the game in injury time the ball was punted into Rangers box where Jacob Pazikas punched clear but only as far as Griffen Sabatini who shot from the edge of the box with the  Rangers keeper beating the shot away.

In the last action of the game Robbie Ure broke through the inside left channel where he was taken down by Connor Greene who received a second yellow and subsequent red card.

Full-Time:- East Stirling 2 Rangers 3

East Stirling:- Ross Connelly; Tony Coutts, Kyle Ewing, Connor Greene, Shaun Brown; Arron McAlpine (Griffen Sabatini 51 Mins), Scott Honeyman, Gregor Fotheringham, Tylar Denholm (Jamie Kirkpatrick 72 Mins); Jack Hodge (Bright Prince 87 Mins); Niyah Joseph.

Not Used:- Harvey Moyes, Ruaridh McDonald.

Rangers:- Jacob Pazikas: Jack Harkness, Lewis MacKinnon, Connor Allan, Robbie Fraser; Mackenzie Strachan (Kelsey Ewan HT); Charlie Lindsay, Aaron Lyall; Thompson Ishaka; James Graham, Robbie Ure.

Not Used:- Lewis Budinauckas (Gk), Kevin Ciubotaru, Kieron Willox, Jack Roberts.

 

Rangers 5 St Mirren 2

The morning was an opportunity to take in Rangers Under 13’s comfortable win over St Mirren at The Rangers Training Centre.

Yet it was the visitors who took an early lead in the third minute, the attack came down the right and when the ball was centred it was fired past Carter McEwan. Rangers were soon level through Luca Rankin collecting a pass in from the left and shooting past the keeper from the edge of the box.

Rangers came close just after the quarter hour mark, Riley Bryson in possession on the right passed in side to Kyle Glasgow, his shot was deflected into the path of Daniel Owonyomi who fired against the keeper’s right hand post. A ball over the Rangers defence gave the visitors a chance but the shot went wide of Carter McEwan’s right hand post.

St Mirren then had an effort from distance which forced Carter McEwan to stretch and tip over. Rangers took the lead when Coben Ferguson broke from inside his own half and going past several defenders into the penalty area, the keeper parried his shot but it presented Daniel Owonyomi with a tap in.

The period ended with a chance at both ends, St Mirren breaking into the right side of the box and forcing a save from Carter McEwan. Luca Rankin the cut in from the left before shooting straight at the keeper.

Rangers had an early chance in the second period, Arran McMillan and Jedan Donaldson combined from the left with the latter’s cross picking out Kyle Glasgow who shot narrowly over. Jedan Donaldson’s pass then sent Arran McMillan through on goal with the keeper racing from his line to male the save.

Rangers were now regularly creating chances and from Ashton Scally’s through ball Coben Ferguson held off a defender to break into the box but was denied by a fine save. Rangers extended their lead with four minutes of the period remaining, Coben Ferguson cut in from the right and passed to Kyle Glasgow whose shot from the edge of the box beat the keeper with the aid of a deflection.

Luca Rankin then teed up Kyle Glasgow for another shot that on this occasion was saved by The Saints keeper. With the final period around eight minutes old a St Mirren player was tripped as he made his way along the right hand byline and the penalty was duly converted.

Rangers restored their two goal advantage from a Kyle Glasgow solo effort, a corner on the right was taken short and he dribbled past two defenders on the byline before netting from a narrow angle. The next chance came when Daniel Owonyomi  broke down the right and into the box with the keeper diving to his right to tip the ball on to the far post and wide. 

In the final minute St Mirren had a long range effort  from the left hand angle of the box that rebounded from the cross bar. Rangers went straight up the other end to add a fifth, when a cross from the left was cleared to the edge of the box Jedan Donaldson shot through a crowded box into the net.

Full-Time:- Rangers 5 St Mirren 2

Rangers Squad:- Carter McEwan (Gk), Igor Mames (Gk), Ethan Molloy, Ty O’Connor, Carson McGauley, Ashton Scally, Finley Young, Riley Bryson, Luca Rankin, Kyle Glasgow, Daniel Olonyomi, Coben Ferguson, Charlie Greenlaw, Elliott Taylor, Jedan Donaldson, Arran McMillan

 

18’s Ease Past Hearts

Hearts 1 Rangers 4

Despite falling behind to an early goal Rangers Under 18’s recovered to record a comfortable victory over Hearts at The John Brydson Arena this afternoon.

Hearts took the lead in the third minute through fifteen year old Taylor Hogarth, he was setup by Szymon Plesiewicz who attacked the penalty area before passing to his left and the midfielder shot past Mason Munn. Rangers were level on twelve minutes through a superb Jack Roberts strike, cutting in from the left hand angle and shooting across Scott Cowie into the far corner.

The home side came close to restoring their lead just after the half hour, Szymon  Plesiewicz passed to Ryan Duncan who stepped into the left side of the box, his shot beat Mason Munn but bounced of the keeper’s left hand post. Rangers capitalised on that left off by taking the lead less than five minutes later, Paul Nsio winning possession on the edge of the box and advancing to shoot past the keeper.

Rangers extended their lead four minutes before the break, a free-kick on the right and ten yards from the byline was laid back to Kerr Robertson on the angle of the box, his cross beyond the back post found Kristian Webster and his looping header dropped in at Scott Cowie’s left hand post. Hearts had a chance in first half injury time from a free-kick on the right hand angle of the box with Rocco Friel’s strike clipping the bar on the way over.

Half-Time:- Hearts 1 Rangers 3

Rangers wasted no time after the break scoring a fourth in the opening minute, the ball broke kindly for Cammy Cooper and he stepped into the penalty area to shoot past the keeper. Four minutes later Chris Eadie burst between two defenders inside the left side of the box but shot just wide of the far post.

The game went stale after a series of substitutions around the hour mark, but Hearts tried to get back into the game through Rocco Friel on the right side of the box when the ball was played across the eighteen yard line to Harvey Chisholm he shot over. There was one more chance for Rangers inside the final twenty minutes, when the ball was played into the box from the right a couple of shots were blocked and when the ball fell for Kieron Willox on the edge of the box his shot forced Scott Cowie into a save.

The game then petered out with neither keeper being troubled again.

Full Time:- Hearts 1 Rangers 4

Hearts:- Scott Cowie; Jamie Anderson (Alfie Osborne 77 Mins), Matthew Gillies, Kenzie Nair; Rocco Friel (Gregor Burn 83 Mins), Gregor Crookston, Taylor Hogarth (Bruno Pilch 77 Mins), Harvey Chisholm; Owen Muirhead (Mark Beveridge 83 Mins), Ryan Duncan; Szymon Plesiewicz (Callan Robb 59 Mins).

Not Used:- Zach Paris (Gk)

Rangers:- Mason Munn; Zander Hutton (Cammy Scott 69 Mins), Kristian Webster, Leyton Grant, Connor Campbell; Kerr Robertson (Cammy Bell 58 Mins); Paul Nsio (Zak McKay 58 Mins), Finlay Curtis; Cammy Cooper, Chris Eadie (Josh Gentles 58 Mins), Jack Roberts (Kieron Willox 58 Mins).

Not Used:- Alfie Halliwell (Gk), Callum Adamson.

14’s Hit Queens Park For Six

Rangers 6 Queens Park 1

The visitors had the first chance of the game when they won possession inside the left side of the box with Sam Reid saving at his near post. There was immediately a chance at the other end when a quick throw in sent Max Cameron down the left and into the box where he was denied by the keeper.

Queens Park took the lead on six minutes, Pedro Chico who was at Rangers until the turn of the year fired a shot from the edge of the box and left of centre into Sam Reid’s top right hand corner. Their lead barely lasted two minutes and Rangers levelled when Rory McKay sent Max Cameron through to continue into the box and slot past the keeper.

Rangers soon had another chance when Connor Owen played a ball over the defence to release Rory McKay who cut inside a defender but shot over. Callum Stewart then attacked through the middle and when he was challenged on the edge of the box the ball broke to Rory McKay who shot just wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Rangers took the lead a couple of minutes beyond the midpoint of the period, Max Cameron’s shot was parried by the keeper and with Rory McKay set to pounce on the rebound he was brought down for a clear penalty. The keeper saved his initial effort but the referee ordered a retake for encroachment which he duly converted. Ben Hutton then chased a through ball and when he converged with the keeper the ball broke to Callum Stewart who saw his shot headed off the line.

Rangers had a couple of more chances before the period end, Olly Preston’s pass released Max Cameron in side the right side of the box with his shot from a tight angle going across the face of goal and just wide of the far post. Olly Preston then crossed from the left to the back post where Callum Young headed back across goal, Connor Owen’s header looked destined for the net till the keeper dived to his right to produce a fine save.

Rangers extended their lead five minutes into the second period, Max Cameron breaking down the left and into the penalty area to shoot across the keeper into the far corner. The next chance came when Aston Patton and Ewan Gray combined on the right and when the latter crossed to the back post Lewis Smith arrived to fire against the crossbar. Almost immediately Ewan Gray was fouled inside the right side of the box and he got up to net from the spot.

A few minutes beyond the midpoint of the period Lewis Smith powered into the left side of the box past two defenders  with the keeper saving his shot. Aston Patton then setup a shooting chance for Ewan Gray inside the right side of the box which the keeper again saved.

Rangers then added two further goals in quick succession, Ewan Gray’s through ball sent Max Cameron through to poke the ball past the keeper. A couple of minutes later Luke Moore was sent through and he calmly rounded the keeper to slot the ball into the net.

Early in the final period Callum Young cross from the right and the referee judged that Luke Moore was fouled inside the left side of the box for a rather soft penalty. The keeper blocked his initial effort but again the referee ordered a retake and the keeper surpassed his previous save diving to his right to parry. The final clear chance of the game came at the other end and attack on the right and cut inside to shoot which Jayden Millarvie saved diving to his right.

Full-Time:- Rangers 6 Queens Park 1

Rangers Squad:- Sam Reid (Gk), Jayden Millarvie (Gk), Callum Young, Stevie Nixon, Connor Owen, Ashton Patton, Olly Preston, Aidan Crilly, Ben Hutton, Rory McKay, Max Cameron, Callum Stewart, Josh Carson, Lewis Smith, Ewan Gray, Luke Moore.

Queens Park Day

Yesterday was a sort of Queens Park day with three Rangers teams meeting their Glasgow rivals. So the plan was The Rangers Training Centre for the B Team’s Glasgow Cup Semi Final, then head to Lochinch for the Under 13’s and 15’s games. Rush hour traffic meant I missed most of the first period of the Under 13’s game and with it overlapping the U15’s game by around ten minutes there are only two match reports.

Rangers 4 Queens Park 0

First up was the Glasgow Cup Semi Final which was a comfortable win for the young Rangers side with Lewis Budinauckas rarely troubled. Rangers had a great chance on eleven minutes, Robbie Ure picked out Tony Weston inside the box and he was denied by Callan McKenna who spread himself and blocked with an outstretched foot. A couple of minutes later Robbie Fraser crossed from the left and Robbie Ure cushioned a layoff to Cole McKinnon with Callan McKenna getting down to his right to produce a great save.

A minute later the Callan McKenna’s attempted pass went straight to Robbie Ure inside the right side of the box, he squared the ball to Tony Weston who looked sure to score but shot straight at the keeper. Rangers took the lead on twenty-five minutes, Jack Harkness hit the right hand byline and his low cross was missed by a defender for Robbie Ure to net from close range.

Rangers soon doubled their lead from a rather soft penalty award, Thompson Ishaka went down under a challenge and the referee pointed to the spot which was duly converted by the Rangers attacker. If that was a soft award the second penalty award four minutes later surpassed that one, Thompson Ishaka was again judged to have been fouled, he stepped up again but this time Callan McKenna dived to his left to save.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Queens Park 0

Eight minutes after the break the visitors tested Lewis Budinauckas, Gregor Nicol cutting in from the right and shooting from the edge of the box with the Rangers keeper getting down to his left to make the save. Rangers came close to adding a third from a quick break just beyond the hour mark, Thompson Ishaka broke from inside his own half leaving two defenders in his wake, he passed to Arron Lyall who advanced towards the box and passed to Zak Lovelace on the left hand angle, he cut inside and aimed for the far post with Callan McKenna getting down to his left to make a fine save.

Rangers increased their lead with seven minutes remaining, Jack Harkness played the ball in from the right and Robbie Ure beat Callan McKenna with a first time finish from the edge of the box. A few minutes later rangers scored a fourth, Robbie Fraser was the provider with a run and cross on the left that was converted at the back post by Zak Lovelace. Rangers came close to adding a fifth before the end, a scramble in the box saw a couple of efforts blocked and when it fell to Charlie Lindsay his shot came back off Callan McKenna’s left hand post.

Full Time:- Rangers 4 Queens Park 0

Rangers:- Lewis Budinauckas; Jack Harkness, Lewis MacKinnon (Kelsey Ewan 80 Mins), Connor Allan, Robbie Fraser; Bailey Rice (Mackenzie Strachan 80 Mins); Cole McKinnon, Arron Lyall (Charlie Lindsay 80 Mins); Thompson Ishaka (James Graham 66 Mins), Robbie Ure, Tony Weston (Zak Lovelace 57 Mins)

Not Used:- Jacob Pazikas (Gk), Kevin Ciubotaru.

Queens Park:- Callan McKenna; Zach Machin (Tyrece McDonnell 59 Mins), Kane Thomson (Archie Graham HT), Lewis Reid, Cammy Bruce (Joe Smith 81 Mins); Andrew Lind (Lennon Connolly HT); Gregor Nicol, Alex Fairlie, Callum Biggar, Aaron Healy; Liam McLeish.

Not Used :- Liam Russell (Gk)

Queens Park 2 Rangers 2

Onto the evening kickoff where the sides shared four goals which over the piece was probably about right, Neither keeper was troubled in the opening period with the home side having an edge on possession inside their opponents half.

Rangers took the lead on twenty-five minutes, a superb piece of skill took Thomas Falconer away from a defender allowing him to make the pass that sent Olly Goodbrand through the inside left channel into the box to shoot past the keeper. Eight minutes later Flynn O’Brien on the right side of the box passed inside to Olly Goodbrand but he was denied  by a brilliant point blank save from the home keeper.

On the stroke of half time Queens Park attacked the left side of the box and when it was passed inside Jayden Millarvie dived to his left to turn the ball wide and it was looking like Rangers would go in at half time with a lead, but when the corner from the right was sent into the box it was headed into the net.

Half-Time:- Queens Park 1 Rangers 1

Rangers had an early chance after the break when Brandon Ramage burst between two defenders into the penalty area but his shot bounced off the keeper’s left hand post. Rangers took the lead a couple of minutes later, a great piece of skill from Olly Goodbrand took him past two defenders inside the left side of the box, the keeper parried his shot across goal leaving Duncan Barlow with a simple finish.

The home side responded from a free-kick midway inside Rangers half that was chipped into the box but the header was straight at Jayden Millarvie. Just beyond the midpoint of the half Brandon Ramage passed to Ronald Nimyel and his twenty five yarder brought out a save from the keeper low to his left.

With the game approaching the final ten minutes Queens attacked the right side of the box and it took a brilliant clearance from Olly Hynd to clear the danger. In the next attack the home side worked along the right hand byline and when the ball was played into the six yard box it was fired past Jayden Millarvie.

Rangers had the final effort of the game with three minutes remaining, Thomas Falconer’s shot from the left hand angle of the box was scooped wide of the far post by the keeper.

Full-Time:- Queens Park 2 Rangers 2

Rangers Squad:- Jayden Millarvie (Gk), Jack Caldwell, Evan Molloy, Duncan Barlow, Thomas Falconer, Aiden McCallion, Cammy Fernie, Alex Smith, Flynn O’Brien, Jose Calela, Olly Goodbrand, Ronald Nimyel, Brandon Ramage, Olly Hynd, Zak Richford.

Footnote:- Rangers U13’s beat their Queens Park rivals 10-2, I saw half the goals and I believe the goalscorers were as follows. Daniel Owonyomi (2), Luca Rankin (2), Riley Bryson, Kyle Glasgow (3), Ashton Scally & Finley Young.

18’s Win At Braidhurst

Motherwell 1 Rangers 3

A good first half performance should have seen Rangers more than a goal ahead at the break, Motherwell came into the game more in the second half but Rangers were deserved winners over the ninety minutes.

Rangers had a chance in the second minute when Jack Roberts rode a challenge and with the referee playing advantage he continued into the penalty area where he was denied by Josh Bogan who stuck out a foot to block the shot. Five minutes later a Finlay Curtis flick sent Zander Hutton down the right and from his cross Jack Roberts volleyed narrowly over from close range.

Motherwell’s first threat came from a free-kick midway inside Rangers half and on the right that was sent to the back post where it was headed over. On the quarter hour mark Finlay Curtis sent a corner from the right towards the far post where Kristian Webster’s header clipped the bar on the way over.

On twenty seven minutes Motherwell had a chance through Adam McDonald but his shot from the edge of the box was straight at Mason Munn. The home side had an even better chance five minutes later, it started on the right and when the ball came across the penalty area to Robbie Garcia his shot forced Mason Munn to dive to his left and produce a fine save.

Rangers took the lead ten minutes before the break, the ball was played to Paul Nsio on the right and he laid it back to Tyler Pasnik on the angle who crossed to the back post where Chris Eadie didn’t get the greatest connection on his header but the ball bounced across goal and in off Josh Bogan’s left hand post. Just before half-time Tyler Pasnik saw his shot from the left hand angle of the box blocked where it broke to Finlay Curtis who was denied by Josh Bogan who diverted the ball wide off his legs.

Half-Time:- Motherwell 0 Rangers 1

Rangers came close four minutes into the second half, Tyler Pasnik’s free-kick on the right and close to the byline was headed just wide of the far post by Paul Nsio. Motherwell’s reply saw Adam McDonald shoot from the edge of the box which was beaten away by Mason Munn.

Five minutes later Richard Tambwe cut in from the left but shot straight at Mason Munn. There was around twenty-five minutes remaining when Mason Munn bravely came for a cross and took a heavy knock but was able to continue after some treatment.

Rangers next chance came when Zander Hutton on the right passed inside to Chris Eadie whose shot from the edge of the box forced Josh Bogan to save low to his left. Rangers second goal was only delayed and they doubled their lead on seventy-four minutes, Kerr Robertson played the ball forward  to Finlay Curtis whose shot on the edge of the box was blocked with Chris Eadie following up to fire the loose ball past Josh Bogan low to his left.

The home side tried to respond through Luca Ross who got to the right hand byline where he laid it back to Shay Nevans on the angle but his shot was straight at Mason Munn. Back to the other end and Kieron Willox chased a ball towards the right hand angle of the box with Josh Bogan coming from his goal to block the shot.

Motherwell setup a potential grandstand finish by reducing the deficit with three minutes remaining, Adam McDonald got the right hand byline and his ball across goal was fired past Mason Munn by Ally Gould. Within a minute Zack Tomany was trying his luck from fully thirty yards that had Mason Munn stretching to tip over.

Rangers made the points safe in the final minute, Kieron Willox providing the pass to send Cammy Cooper clear inside the box to shoot past the keeper.

Full-Time:- Motherwell 1 Rangers 3

Motherwell:- Josh Bogan; Ally Gould, Zack Flatman, Arran Bone; Luca Ross, Adam McDonald, Olly White (Shay Nevans 72 Mins), Lennon Miller, Robbie Garcia; Muhammed Adam (Richard Tambwe HT), Dylan Wells (Zack Tomnay 83 Mins).

Not Used:- Joe McQuire (Gk), Brannan McDermott, Max Ross, Mikey Booth.

Rangers:- Mason Munn; Zander Hutton, Kristian Webster, Leyton Grant, Connor Campbell (Zak McKay 72 Mins); Kerr Robertson; Paul Nsio (Callum Adamson 79 Mins), Finlay Curtis; Tyler Pasnik (Keiron Willox 61 Mins), Chris Eadie (Josh Gentles 79 Mins), Jack Roberts (Cammy Cooper 69 Mins).

Not Used:- Alfie Halliwell (Gk), Cammy Scott.

14’s Lose To United

Rangers 0 Dundee United 2

With this morning’s U16 game against Motherwell being cancelled it meant one game today, the U14’s clash with Dundee United. When I watched these teams play just over a year ago Rangers recorded a comfortable 5-1 win, today seen a complete turnaround with the visitor’s dominant display see them run out comfortable winners.

United had an early chance in the second minute when they broke into the left side of the box with Jayden Millarvie saving the shot from close to the left hand byline low to his left. Five minutes later  a free-kick  on the edge of the box and left of centre was fired straight at Jayden Millarvie.

On ten minutes a free-kick from wide right and close to the byline was crossed into the Rangers penalty area where it was headed narrowly over. Almost immediately Dundee United took the lead, the ball was played into the penalty area  from the right and the shot was fired past Jayden Millarvie.

Rangers first effort on goal came just before the quarter hour mark, it started on the right with Ben Hutton who passed inside to Ashton Patton and on to Max Cameron  who shot just over from the edge of the box. The last action of the first period saw Max Cameron pass to Lewis Smith on the left hand angle of the box with his shot going narrowly wide of the near post.

The first chance of the second period came eleven minutes in when Dundee United broke into the left side of the box with Jayden Millarvie saving at his near post. A corner from the right was deflected goalwards forcing Jaydem Millarvie to dive to his right to save at the post. Rangers then had an effort on goal, Ben Hutton passing to Max Cameron who cut in from the left before shooting just over.

The period ended with a couple of chances for the visitors, the ball was played into Rangers box from the left and laid back to the edge of the box where it was fired narrowly over. On the end of period whistle a free-kick on the edge of the box clipped Jayden Millarvie’s crossbar on the way over.

Rangers had the first effort on goal of the third period from a free-kick on the edge of the box and left of centre with Josh Carson’s effort going just wide of the near post. A couple of minutes later Max Cameron tried his luck from fully thirty yards which clipped the bar on the way over.

Rangers were having their best spell of the game and when the ball broke to Max Cameron he shot just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. In the visitor’s first attack on the final period they doubled their lead, a fine pass released the attacker inside the left side of the box and it was slotted past Carter McEwan.

Rangers tried to respond and Max Cameron cut in from the right but shot straight at the keeper. With five minutes remaining Rangers had their best chance of the game, Max Cameron crossed from the right and Rory McKay did well to get in his header which the keeper stretched to save.

Full-Time:- Rangers 0 Dundee United 2

Rangers squad:- Jayden Millarvie (Gk), Carter McEwan (Gk), Callum Young, Stevie Nixon, Josh Carson, Lewis Smith, Aidan Crilly, Ben Hutton, Ashton Patton, Ewan Gray, Max Cameron, Luke Moore, Connor Owen, Olly Preston, Callum Stewart, Rory McKay, Luca Rankin.

Footnote:- Rangers U15’s beat Dundee United 4-1 at Gussie Park yesterday, the goals coming from Flynn O’Brien, Jack Caldwell, Duncan Barlow & Jose Calela.