18’s Lose To Kilmarnock

Rangers 2 Kilmarnock 4

Rangers Under 18’s lost their latest league game to Kilmarnock at The Rangers Training Centre last night. Leading 1-0 Jack Wylie’s thirty fourth minute red card proved to be a significant turning point despite Greig Thackray saving the resultant penalty.

The first chance came on thirteen minutes from a good move down the right involving Zander Hutton and Findlay Curtis, when the former reached the byline he cut the ball back for Kerr Robertson who forced Corey Armour to get down low to the left to turn the ball wide. Rangers took the lead from the corner, Corey Armour appeared to be impeded when he came for the corner and when the ball slipped from his grasp Cammy Bell volleyed into the net with the referee awarding the goal despite the Killie players protests.

Rangers then had a couple of chances around the half hour mark, Josh Gentles firing a twenty-five yard free kick just wide of Corey Armour’s left hand post. Next up Zander Hutton again hit the right hand byline and his cross found Blaine McClure arriving at the back post but he headed across goal and wide of the far post.

The game turned on the thirty fourth minute when Zander Craik was sent clear he tried to cut inside Jack Wylie who brought him down for what looked like a clear penalty, the referee initially waved play on but changed his decision after consulting his linesman. Where as he eventually got that one right his decision to show Jack  Wylie a red card was harsh as the defender made a genuine attempt to play the ball. Ruari Ellis stepped up but was denied as Greig Thackray dived to his right to parry the shot.

Despite being a man short it was Rangers who came close in the closing minutes of the first half, Findlay Curtis collecting a loose ball and forcing Corey Armour to save the shot from the edge of the box low to his left. On the stroke of half time Corey Armour’s clearance when straight to Findlay Curtis twenty-five yards out but the keeper redeemed himself, diving to his right to turn the shot wide.

Half- Time:- Rangers 1 Kilmarnock 0

Rangers had the first chance of the second half four minutes after the break, Josh Gentles cutting in from the left and seeing his shot deflected onto the near post and wide. Rangers then gifted Kilmarnock an equaliser on fifty-six minutes. Greig Thackray’s attempted pass out going straight to former Rangers player Grant Marchant who stepped into the box and slotted past the keeper.

Kilmarnock had a great chance to take the lead two minutes later when Zander Craik was sent through the inside right channel, he continued into the box but Greig Thackray stood up to produce a fine save. Killie’s second goal was only delayed a minute, when a low ball was played across the box Zander Craik was on hand at the back post to convert from close range.

Killie extended their lead with twenty five minutes remaining with a bit of fortune, Ethan Mersey’s cross from the left sailing over the head of Greig Thackray and dropping into the net at the back post. There was certainly to luck in Kilmarnock’s fourth eight minutes later, Cole Burke, son of former Ranger Chris firing a twenty-five yarder from the left hand angle of the box into the far top corner.

Rangers scored their second with a quarter hour remaining, Chris Eadie getting a touch on Findlay Curtis’s in swinging cross from the left to divert the ball past Corey Armour. With Kilmarnock happy to protect their lead Rangers had the bulk of possession in the closing stages but failed to seriously threaten the Killie goal.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Kilmarnock 4

Rangers:- Greig Thackray; Zander Hutton, Jack Wylie, Leyton Grant, Cammy Scott; Kerr Robertson (Callum Burnside 75 Mins); Cammy Bell (Calum Adamson 63 Mins), Blaine McClure (Arran Kerr 36 Mins); Findlay Curtis, Chris Eadie (Kieron Willox 84 Mins), Josh Gentles (Lewis Stewart 84 Mins)

Not Used:- Alfie Halliwell (Gk), Harry Weir.

Kilmarnock:- Corey Armour; Ben Brannan, Ruari Ellis, Andy Miller, Ethan Mersey; Reuben Cooper, Nathan Smith; Danny Devlin, Grant Marchant, Cole Burke, Zander Craik.

Subs:- Rohan Harkins (Gk), Lewis Mackie, Logan Burgess, ????? Logue, Sonny Aluko, Shaun Kennedy, Samuel Duruh.

 

 

 

Late Treble For Colts

Rangers 4 Alloa Athletic 1

Three goals in the closing six minutes saw Rangers Colts progress to the next round of The SPFL Trophy and a home tie against Airdrie. The first half saw a series of chances at both ends while the second half was a bit tamer until Rangers late goal flurry. Rangers were without a few players who are in the squad for Wednesday’s League Cup tie, Alloa made six changes to their team from their 1-1 draw with Annan Athletic at the weekend.

Rangers took the lead on five minutes, Robbie Fraser’s ball forward was headed out by Scott Taggart but only as far as Ross McCausland who held off a couple of defenders before shooting into Tochukwa Ogayi’s bottom right hand corner. Two chances quickly followed for Zak Lovelace, both inside the left side of the box and on both occasions he was denied by Tochukwa Ogayi saves.

On ten minutes with Alloa struggling to clear, when the ball came out from the penalty area Greig Allen’s shot was heading for the bottom corner until Tochukwa Ogayi dived low to his right to turn the ball wide. Alloa’s first chance of the game followed when Bradley Rodden raced into the left side of the penalty area with Mason Munn coming from his line to block with his legs.

Ten minutes later only a sensational Tochukwa Ogayi save prevented Rangers doubling their lead, Archie Stevens moved to ball along the eighteen yard line to Zak Lovelace left of centre, his powerful strike was destined for the net until the keeper reacted to tip the ball over. Two chances for the League One side followed, slackness allowed Luke Donnelly to break into the left side of the box but he shot wide of the far post. Another mistake presented Bradley Rodden with a chance inside Rangers penalty area but he shot over,

Just beyond the half hour mark an Alloa corner from the left was sent to the back post and Morgyn Neill’s looping header struck the crossbar with Jack Harkness on hand to clear from the line. A superb piece of skill from Paul Nsio saw him flick the ball over a defender on the left side of the box but there was no takers for his driven ball across the six yard box.

The sides were level just before the break, Quinn Coulson cut in from the left hand angle of the box and his effort struck the bar with Morgyn Neill quickest to react to shoot past Mason Munn.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Alloa Athletic 1

By contrast the second half was pretty tame with neither side seriously threatening the opposing goal and the only real things to note were a serious of substitutions. That was all to change in the closing six minutes and Alloa were first to threaten. Cameron O’Donnell’s free-kick from midway inside Rangers half picked out Scott Taggart who headed straight at Mason Munn.

Rangers went straight up the other end to take the lead, Ross McCausland’s pass picked out Robbie Fraser’s run to the left hand byline from where he cut the ball back for Findlay Curtis to spin and shoot past the keeper. Two minutes later the tie was safe, Findlay Curtis dispossessed Andy Graham and continued into the box before unselfishly passing to James Graham on his left and present the substitute with a simple finish.

Rangers added a fourth in injury time when Chris Eadie was brought down by Tochukwa Ogayi inside the right side of the box with Arron Lyall stepping up to convert the penalty.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 Alloa Athletic 1

Rangers:- Mason Munn; Jack Harkness (Zander Hutton 63 Mins), Greig Allen, Johnly Yfeko (James Graham 52 Mins), Robbie Fraser; Connor Allan, Arron Lyall, Paul Nsio; Ross McCausland, Archie Stevens (Findlay Curtis 78 Mins), Zak Lovelace (Chris Eadie 63 Mins).

Not Used:- Alfie Halliwell (Gk), Jamie Newton, Leyton Grant, Darren McInally, Kerr Robertson.

Alloa Athletic:- Tochukwa Ogayi; David McKay (Andy Graham 80 Mins), Morgyn Neill, Scott Taggart; Steven Buchanan (Cameron O’Donnell 76 Mins), Kurtis Roberts, Steven Heatherington, Euan Deveney; Quinn Coulson (Comor Sammon 80 Mins); Bradley Rodden (Nathan Cannon 80 Mins), Luke Donnelly.

Not Used:- Keir Burt (Gk)

Win For U18’s

Rangers 2 Motherwell 1

Rangers Under 18’s gained some revenge for the heavy defeat they suffered at the hands of Motherwell last month. They were boosted by two players, Zander Hutton and Archie Stevens dropping down from the B Team for their first U18 league appearance of the season, and Archie Steven’s double was to prove decisive on the day.

Rangers took the lead in the opening minute when Archie Stevens capitalised on a mistake by the Motherwell defence to shoot past Josh Bogan. Rangers doubled their lead on the quarter hour mark, a short corner was worked on the right and when the ball was played to Archie Stevens inside the right side of the box he blasted past Josh Bogan at his near post.

Motherwell missed a great chance four minutes later, a long ball caught out the Rangers defence and Luca Ross lobbed Greig Thackray as he advanced from his goal but the ball was just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. Beyond the midpoint of the half the ball broke to Findlay Curtis, his twenty-five yarder beat Josh Bogan but was just wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Motherwell 0

Seven minutes into the second half the visitor’s reduced the deficit, Mikey Booth’s free-kick from the right hand angle of the box catching out Greig Thackray at his near post. On the hour mark a ball into the box from the right broke to Cammy Bell on the angle of the six yard box but he was denied by a fine point blank Josh Bogan save.

On seventy-three minutes a good move end with Findlay Curtis’s pass sending Chris Eadie through, but Josh Bogan came from his line and managed to divert the shot wide of his left hand post. As the ninety minute mark approached Kieron Willox broke through into the left side of the box with Josh Bogan again coming from his line to make the save.

Deep into injury time Josh Gentles won the ball on the right hand byline and inside the box, he tried to play the ball across goal to the unmarked Lewis Stewart but Josh Bogan managed to scramble the ball behind for a corner.

Full Time:- Rangers 2 Motherwell 1

Rangers:- Greig Thackray; Zander Hutton, Duncan Barlow (Arran Kerr 63 Mins), Leyton Grant, Cammy Scott; Kerr Robertson, Cammy Bell (Calum Adamson 80 Mins), Blaine McClure (Josh Gentles 63 Mins); Archie Stevens (Kieron Willox 76 Mins), Chris Eadie (Lewis Stewart 90 +2 Mins), Findlay Curtis.

Not Used:- Alfie Halliwell (Gk), Harry Weir.

Motherwell:- Josh Bogan; Arran Bone, Zack Flatman, John Joe Webb; Max Ross, Olly White, Campbell Forrest, Brannan McDermott; Luca Ross; Zack Tomnay (Harry McLean 79 Mins), Mikey Booth (Nathan Lawson 79 Mins).

Not Used:- Colbi McQuarrie (Gk), Devon Johnstone, Robbie Garcia, Ross Nelson.

14’s Lose At St Mirren

St Mirren 5 Rangers 3

The game changed in a five minute period in the second period when St Mirren turned a one goal deficit into a 3-1 lead. Rangers couldn’t get back on level terms and the home team ran out deserved winners.

Rangers took the lead on four minutes when Jedan Donaldson’s reverse pass on the edge of the box released Coben Ferguson inside the penalty area and he shot past the keeper. Two minutes later Carson McGauley’s pass sent Ty O’Connor down the right, he passed inside to Coben Ferguson who saw his shot deflected just wide of the far post.

St Mirren attacked as the period entered the final ten minutes and from a dangerous left wing cross Carter McEwan dived out to parry. The home side then broke into the left side of Rangers box with Carter McEwan coming from his line to save bravely at the attacker’s feet.

St Mirren had an early chance in the second period when they hit the right hand byline, the ball was passed inside and laid back to the edge of the box but the shot went over. The sides were level just after the mid point of the period, Carter McEwan was given no chance from a fine long range strike from the right hand angle of the box.

St Mirren took the lead when their attacker broke through a couple of challenges into the centre of the box and shot past the keeper. That lead was extended within sixty seconds, the attack came on the left and was converted when the ball was played across goal.

Rangers had an early chance in the final period, Luca Rankin released Coben Ferguson inside the right side of the box with the keeper saving low to his left. Barely a minute later Rangers scored their second, Ashton Scally bursting past a defender into the left side of the box from where he shot past the keeper.

An other chance soon followed with Coben Ferguson shooting narrowly over from the edge of the box. Just before the period turn round Rangers gifted St Mirren a fourth, a poor pass out from the keeper was knocked straight back into the net from the edge of the box.

Five minutes later the home side scored again, the attack came on the right and when the cross was deflected towards the back post it was volleyed into the net. With six minutes remaining Jedan Donaldson laid the ball of to Luca Rankin on the edge of the box and he fired into the keeper’s top right hand corner.

Luca Rankin the had a go from a twenty-five yard free kick that the keeper dived to his right to parry. In the closing minutes Rangers had another couple of long range efforts that were straight at the keeper.

Full-Time:- St Mirren 5 Rangers 3

Rangers Squad:- Carter McEwan (Gk), Ty O’Connor, Elliot Taylor, Carson McGauley, Charlie Greenlaw, Finlay Young, Jedan Donaldson, Ethan Molloy, Coben Ferguson, Daniel Owonyomi, Riley Bryson, Ashton Scally, Luca Rankin, Callum McDonald, Arran MacMillan.

Colts Rue Missed Chances

Rangers 0 Manchester United 1

Rangers Colts lost to a Manchester United side that were on average a couple of years younger, the only goal came from Ethan Wheatley but Rangers will be looking back on a number of missed chances in a game they should never have lost.

Rangers had an early chance on four minutes when the Trialist No 9 released Ross McCausland inside the right side of the box with Elyh Harrison standing up to beat the shot away. Man Utd replied when Ethan Wheatley capitalised on a Johnly Yfeko slip to break into the right side of the box where he cut the ball back to Shola Shoretire who shot over.

Robbie Fraser then advance to the left hand byline where he cut the ball back to Zak Lovelace who saw his shot deflected wide of the near post. Back to the other end and Shola Shoretire passed to Ethan Williams inside the box with Kieran Wright producing a fine save.

The visitors took the lead just beyond the quarter hour mark, Shea  Lacey was the provider when his cross from the right picked out the unmarked Ethan Wheatley who headed past Kieran Wright. On twenty minutes Johnly Yfeko broke from defence and his pass sent Zak Lovelace clear, he tried to round Elyn Harrison as he came from his box, but the keeper managed to kick the ball clear,

Rangers were then forced into a change when the Trialist No 9 limped off to be replaced by Arron Lyall. A couple of minutes beyond the half hour mark Arron Lyall passed to Archie Stevens inside the box, a great turn created space for a shot but is was too high. Ross McCausland then advanced along the right hand byline, Elyh Harrison blocked the shot from a tight angle and the ball was cleared for a corner.

Just before the break Paul Nsio attacked the penalty area where he exchanged passes with Ross McCausland but shot straight at the keeper.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Manchester United 1

The early threat to goal came from a Ethan Williams twenty-five yarder that was straight at Kieran Wright. Rangers came close to a leveller two minutes later when Ross McCausland’s layoff teed up Cole McKinnon who saw his shot come back of the keeper’s right hand post.

The next chance came from a free-kick on the right hand angle of the box and Bailey Rice forced a save from Elyn Harrison low at his left hand post. Rangers were creating chances and when Robbie Fraser advanced on the left his cross went across the box to Ross McCausland beyond the back post, he cut the ball back to Adam Devine who saw his shot blocked.

On the hour mark Ross McCausland went past a defender into the right side of the box and he forced a save from the keeper. A piece of good play then end with a pass to Archie Stevens inside the left side of the box were he stepped inside a defender but shot wide of the far post.

Rangers next chance came when Jack Harkness burst into the right side of the box and his short forced substitute keeper Kie Plumley to push over. That save was bettered with twelve minutes remaining, Adam Devine broke into the left side of the box and from his pass Cole McKinnon looked sure to score from around eight yards until Kie Plumley produced a stunning point blank save.

That was the end of real chances as the game petered out and the United youngsters held on for a win.

Full- Time:- Rangers 0 Manchester United 1

Rangers:- Kieran Wright; Adam Devine, Leon King, Johnly Yfeko, Robbie Fraser (Jack Harkness 70 Mins); Bailey Rice; Cole McKinnon, Paul Nsio; Ross McCausland, Trialist No 9 (Arron Lyall 21 Mins), Zak Lovelace (Archie Stevens 31 Mins).

Not Used:- Mason Munn (Gk), Connor Allan, Greig Allen, Mackenzie Strachan.

Manchester United:- Elyh Harrison (Kie Plumley 61 Mins); James Nolan, Sonny Aljofree (Willy Kambwala 61 Mins), Louis Jackson, Harry Amass (Habeeb Ogunneye HT); Maxi Oyedele, Shola Shoretire; James Scanlon; Shea Lacey (Joe Hugill HT), Ethan Wheatley (Mateo Mejia 61 Mins), Ethan Williams.

Another Defeat For 18’s

Rangers 1 Hibernian 3

Rangers U18’s fell to their third defeat in their opening five league games against Hibernian at The Rangers Training Centre this afternoon. After a fairly even first half the visitors were the better side after the break and they took the lead through an unfortunate own goal before clinching the game deep into injury time.

Rangers took the lead in the sixth minute, Kerr Robertson’s through ball was almost cut out by a defender but broke for Chris Eadie to continue into the box and shoot past Ryan Mallon. The lead only lasted five minutes, a through ball saw Josh Landers outpace the Rangers defence into the right side of the box and shoot past Alfie Halliwell.

A ball over the Hibs defence released Josh Gentles but he was denied by a great challenge from Joe McGrath. On nineteen minutes Josh Gentles neat flick from Kerr Robertson’s through ball found Chris Eadie inside the left side of the box but he shot straight at the keeper.

A better chance followed two minutes later when Rangers won possession just outside Hibs box, Josh Gentles passed to Findlay Curtis inside the right side of the box with Ryan Mallon saving the shot with an outstretched foot. At the other end Dean Clelland broke into the left side of Rangers box but shot wide of the far post.

Just past the hour mark Findlay Curtis collected a pass from the left on the edge of the box but shot just wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Hibernian 1

Hibs had a chance in the opening minutes of the second half with Josh Landers breaking into the left side of the box but shot straight at Alfie Halliwell. Hibs took the lead on fifty-four minutes, Josh Landers got to the right hand byline and from his ball across goal Duncan Barlow’s attempted clearance trickled over the line for an Own Goal.

Rangers tried to reply and a good move ended with Calum Adamson’s pass to Findlay Curtis who saw his shot deflected wide of the keeper’s right hand post. When Jacob McIntyre attacked the Rangers box the ball broke to Josh Landers inside the right side of the box who shot straight at Alfie Halliwell.

With a quarter of an hour remaining Harry Weir just couldn’t reach Findlay Curtis’s cross from the left and the ball bounced through to Ryan Mallon. Rangers then missed a great chance three minutes later, Kieron Willox sent Findlay Curtis down the left, he picked out the unmarked Chris Eadie but he screwed his shot wide of the far post.

Hibs were protecting their lead which meant Rangers were having a territorial advantage and when Findlay Curtis advanced the ball broke to Lewis Stewart on the edge of the box but his shot was straight at Ryan Mallon. With eight minutes remaining Kerr Robertson tried his luck from around twenty-five yards which Ryan Mallon saved comfortably.

Hibernian clinched the game and points four minutes into injury time, Josh Landers held of Duncan Barlow to advance into the right side of the box where he squared to the unmarked Alfie Smith who shot past Alfie Halliwell.

Full-Time:- Rangers 1 Hibernian 3

Rangers:- Alfie Halliwell; Arran Kerr, Jack Wylie (Duncan Barlow 35 Mins), Leyton Grant, Cammy Scott (Kieron Willox 70 Mins); Kerr Robertson; Calum Adamson (Harry Weir 67 Mins), Blaine McClure (Cammy Bell 67 Mins); Findlay Curtis, Chris Eadie, Josh Gentles (Lewis Stewart 67 Mins).

Not Used:- Greig Thackray (Gk), Grant Leitch

Hibernian:- Ryan Mallon;  Jamie Bulloch, Joe McGrath, Owen Hastie; Rory Whittaker, Jacob McIntyre, Jay McGarva, Harry Wright; Rudi Molotnikov, Dean Clelland; Josh Landers.

Subs Used:- Alfie Smith, Flynn McCafferty, Sean Brannen, Jamie McMurdo.

Home Win For U16’s

Rangers 3 Dundee United 1

It was yet another competitive game for Rangers Under 16’s against Dundee United at The Rangers Training Centre this morning. Level at the break Rangers got the better of the second half for a deserved win.

The first chance came on eleven minutes when Ben Hutton passed to Zak Richford inside the right side of the penalty area but the Rangers winger shot straight at the keeper. Rangers took the lead just before the quarter hour mark, a good passing move ended with Flynn O’Brien being brought down inside the box with Alex Smith stepping up to convert.

The visitor’s first chance came five minutes later with a break into the right side of the box but the shot was weak and Rydnn McGuire saved comfortably. United had another chance just beyond the half hour mark when a poor pass out gave possession away with the shot going just wide of Rydnn McGuire’s left hand post.

Rangers responded from a Thomas Falconer free-kick from the edge of the box which the keeper saved comfortably low to his right. Eight minutes before the break Aiden McCallion’s pass inside the left back  released Zak Richford but he shot over.

A free kick on the right side of the box at the other end saw quick movement of feet from Rydnn McGuire to comfortably clutch under his crossbar. At the other end the United keeper stood up to beat away Aiden McCallion’s powerful shot from inside the right side of the box.

The sides were level on the stroke of half time, a great run and cross from the left had Rangers defence under pressure and Thomas Falconer’s attempted clearance went past Rydnn McGuire for an Own Goal.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Dundee United 1

The first chance after the break came when Ronald Nimyel went past a defender on the left hand angle of the box but he shot over. A couple of minutes shy of the hour mark Cammy Fernie won possession on the edge of the box before shooting just wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

Five minutes later Dundee United attacked through the inside left channel, past two defenders into the box but the shot went wide of the far post. Rangers regained the lead with the midpoint of the half approaching, Max Cameron was the creator with a great run and cross from the right presenting Ronald Nimyel with a simple close range volley finish.

The visitors response came from a shot on the edge of Rangers box that was parried by Rydnn McGuire. Max Cameron then set off through the inside right channel before passing inside to Jose Calela but the striker shot wide of the far post.

Rangers made the game comfortable with twelve minutes remaining, Aiden McCallion passed to Ronald Nimyel on the left hand angle of the box, he cut inside before beating the keeper with the aid of a deflection. With eight minutes remaining Jose Calela crossed from the right hand byline and when the ball was deflected goalwards by a defender the keeper showed great reactions to keep the ball out.

The game ended on a couple of United attacks, the first saw them go past a defender into the box with Rydnn McGuire making the save, With three minutes remaining another attack into the left of Rangers box created a chance and on this occasion the shot was deflected wide of the far post.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Dundee United 1

Rangers Squad:- Rydnn McGuire (Gk), Jack Caldwell, Cammy Fernie, Thomas Falconer, Olly Goodbrand, Aiden McCallion, Ben Hutton, Alex Smith, Zak Richford, Jose Calela, Flynn O’Brien, Max Cameron, Ronald Nimyel, Callum Young, Connor Owen.

Not Used:- Sam Reid (Gk)

Footnote:- I took in another entertaining U16 clash in the afternoon with Hearts edging Motherwell 4-3 at Braidhurst high school.

Queens Park Double Header

This weekend’s academy games saw Rangers take on Queens Park at a variety of age groups, kick of times meant I could take in the Under 15’s game on Saturday and the Under 16’s game on Sunday.

Rangers 3 Queens Park 0

It took Rangers well into the second half for Rangers to make the breakthrough due to missed chances and the excellence of the visitors goalkeeper. Once the goal came another two were added near the end.

The Queens keeper made his first save on four minutes, Coben Ferguson passed to Luke Moore inside the right side of the box with the keeper diving high to his right to claw the shot away. The visitors then had a chance but a miskick in front of goal saw the ball trickle into the hands of Jayden Millarvie.

The Rangers keeper was called into more serious action a few minutes later from a shot within the right side of Rangers box that Jayden Millarvie saved at his near post. When Olly Preston hit the left hand byline and cut the ball back to Daniel Owonyomi the striker’s shot came back off the crossbar.

Callum Young then crossed from the right and Ben Hutton’s neat back heel teed up Daniel Owonyomi but his shot was wide of the keeper’s right hand post. Queens Park then attacked down the right but when the ball was fired across goal there were no takers.

Rangers had another good chance ten minutes before the break, Ben Hutton crossed from the right but Daniel Owonyomi headed over. Five minutes later Josh Carson played the ball forward to Ben Hutton who sent Daniel Owonyomi through but a heavy touch allowed the keeper to make a brave save at the striker’s feet.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Queens Park 0

Twelve minutes after the break Ewan Gray’s free-kick from the left hand angle of the box saw the keeper save at his near post. The ball was cleared from the penalty area and Connor Owen’s shot from distance tested the keeper again.

A minute later it was Callum Stewart’s turn to try his luck from distance and the keeper dived to his left to make the save. With the midpoint of the half approaching Coben Ferguson broke done the left, he played a one-two to break into the box where he passed inside to Kyle Glasgow but again the Queens keeper produced a fine save.

The breakthrough came within sixty seconds Coben Ferguson sent Lewis Smith to the left hand byline and was on hand to receive the cutback and shoot past the keeper. Five minutes later Coben Ferguson came close to a second goal, cutting in from the left his shot saw the keeper dive to his left to parry.

The next chance came from a Kyle Glasgow chip over the defence to find Daniel Owonyomi but he was denied by another save from the keeper. The second goal came with four minutes remaining, a short corner was played on the left allowing Coben Ferguson to break into the box and pass inside to Luca Rankin who laid the ball off for Callum Stewart to shoot past the keeper.

The third goal soon followed when Callum Young got to the left hand byline and played the ball across goal for Kyle Glasgow to net from close range. Sam Reid had replaced Jayden Millarvie in the Rangers goal at the break and had been a virtual spectator for the whole of the half, but the final action of the match saw him get down to his right to save a shot from the edge of the box.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Queens Park 0

Rangers Squad:- Jayden Millarvie (Gk), Sam Reid (Gk), Callum Young, Josh Carson, Lewis Smith, Olly Preston, Callum Stewart, Kyle Glasgow, Ben Hutton, Ewan Gray, Coben Ferguson, Luke Moore, Daniel Owonyomi, Connor Owen, Kyle Rodger, Luca Rankin.

 Queens Park 0 Rangers 0

Sunday and on to the Under 16’s game at Lochinch, Rangers dominated most of the play but clear chances were few and far between and they ultimately failed to break the deadlock.

Rangers had an early chance on three minutes when Olly Goodbrand burst past a defender into the left side of the penalty area with the keeper saving at his near post. On ten minutes Ronald Nimyel broke into the right side of the box but shot straight at the keeper.

Just before the half hour mark Queens Park attacked down the left and into the box but the shot was wide of the far post. At the other end Ronald Nimyel cut in from the right past a defender but shot wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

Rangers next chance came when Olly Goodbrand played Jose Calela into the left side of the box but he shot wide of the far post. The home side then had a great chance through the middle into the box but a great Jack Caldwell challenge cleared the danger.

The last chance of the half saw Jose Calela tee up Ben Hutton on the edge of the box but he shot straight at the keeper.

Half-Time:- Queens Park 0 Rangers 0

Ten minutes after the break the home keeper was called into action to deal with Grant Leitch’s twenty-five yarder. Five minutes later Queens Park attacked on the left and when the ball was passed inside the shot was fired over.

Rangers created two excellent chances that really should have produced a winner. great play on the left involving Olly Goodbrand, Cammy Fernie and Flynn O’Brien created an opening for Jose Calela inside the left side of the box but the keeper dived to his left to produce a fine save. Aiden McCallion the broke forward and exchanged passes with Jose Calela to find himself clear inside the box but shot wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Full-Time:- Queens Park 0 Rangers 0

Rangers Squad:- Rydnn McGuire (Gk), Jack Caldwell, Connor Owen, Cammy Fernie, Olly Goodbrand, Aiden McCallion, Grant Leitch, Alex Smith, Ronald Nimyel, Jose Calela, Zak Richford, Ben Hutton, Flynn O’Brien, Callum Young, Kyle Rodger.

Footnote:- There is a bit of a misconception that Rangers continuously play younger players up a year. Due to injuries, this weekend saw five Under 14’s playing at 15’s and five U15’s playing at 16’s, one of whom plays up every week. The Under 16’s game also saw an U17 player included.

18’s Lose To Celtic

Rangers 1 Celtic 2

Rangers Under 18’s fell to a narrow defeat to Celtic at The Rangers Training Centre tonight, over the piece they should have taken something out of the game and a draw would probably been fair.

I wasn’t 100% sure of the Celtic lineup and their shirt numbers don’t make it easy to identify players under floodlights.

Celtic had the early chances and on two minutes Sean McCardle cur the ball back from the left hand byline and Thomas Hatton shot over from close range. A couple of minutes later a free kick from the right side of the Rangers box was headed wide of the back post by Alasdair Davidson.

On eight minutes a brilliant reaction save from Alfie Halliwell kept the game goalless, when the ball came in from the right he stuck up his left hand to turn the shot over. The visitors early pressure paid off on ten minutes, the ball was played into the box from the right and the shot found the net inside the far post.

Rangers first real effort came just before the quarter hour mark, Findlay Curtis on the left hand byline and inside the box picked out Callum Burnside who was denied when Aiden Rice dived to parry the shot. The keeper was called into action again, Calum Adamson broke into the box and sent Chris Eadie to the left hand byline, he then stretched to get his head to the return cross with Aiden Rice diving to his left to save.

Rangers drew level on the half hour mark when Harry Weir’s superb through ball released Chris Eadie to continue into the box and shoot past the keeper. Parity only lasted a couple of minutes when a shot from the edge of Rangers box deflected off Leyton Grant to completely wrong foot Alfie Halliwell.

As the half approached the final five minutes  a free kick from the left hand angle broke to Chris Eadie at the back post but his shot was blocked. The final chance came from another free kick on the left, Jack Wylie got there before the keeper to head goalwards but Jacob Donnelly cleared from the line.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Celtic 2

Rangers had an early chance after the break through Chris Eadie inside the right side of the box but he shot wide of the near post. Five minutes later Chris Eadie passed to Calum Adamson who went past a defender inside the right side of the box but Aiden Rice advanced from his line to make the block.

Jack Wylie the broke forward from defence to the edge of the Celtic box and his shot was deflected just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. At the other end the Celtic striker was through on goal but under pressure from Jack Wylie he shot wide of Alfie Halliwell’s left hand post.

Celtic had another chance when the ball was passed to Robert Rachwal on the edge of the box where his shot beat the keeper but bounced off the underside of the bar. Rangers then had an incredible three shots on target within thirty seconds, Lewis Stewart forced a save from Aiden Rice from inside the right side of the box, the ball broke to Leyton Grant on the edge of the box who saw his shot cleared from the line and  Findlay Curtis’s third attempt called Aiden Rice into action again.

Rangers next chance came when Lewis Stewart played a one-two with Chris Eadie to break into the right side of the box and force a save from Aiden Rice. With seven minutes remaining Lewis Stewart played a short free kick to Blaine McClure close to the left hand corner flag and from his cross Chris Eadie’s header was kept out by Aiden Rice low to his left.

At the other end Aidan Haddow’s free-kick from the left hand angle of the box was touched onto the bar by Alfie Halliwell before it was cleared by a defender, The final effort on goal came when Kieron Willox passed the ball back to Blaine McClure on the left hand angle pf the box and from his cross Lewis Stewart glanced a header just wide of the far post.

Full-Time:- Rangers 1 Celtic 2

Rangers:- Alfie Halliwell; Arran Kerr (Duncan Barlow 78 Mins), Jack Wylie, Leyton Grant, Cammy Scott; Kerr Robertson; Calum Adamson (Lewis Stewart 73 Mins), Callum Burnside (Blaine McClure 61 Mins); Harry Weir (Josh Gentles 61 Mins), Chris Eadie, Findlay Curtis (Kieron Willox 84 Mins)

Not Used:- Greig Thackray (Gk), Cammy Bell.