Rangers Youth Update: Friendly With Kilmarnock Ends Goalless

The youths continued with their series of friendlies in preparation for the Youth League starting again next week.

As it was a friendly, both sides fielded over-age players—Andy Little for Rangers and Paul McInnes for Kilmarnock.

Kilmarnock trialists also appeared to be over-age.

The game’s first chance came in the 14th minute, when Kilmarnock’s Danny McKay cut in from the right hand side but his shot was comfortably saved by Arturs Vailculus.

Three minutes later, Killie’s Trialist No. 11 was clear inside the box and only a magnificent tackle from Andy Little prevented from giving them the lead.

Rangers first threatened on 22 minutes when Danny Wilson headed over from a Gregg Wylde corner. On 25 mins a fine double save from Mark Weir thwarted Rangers, saving first from Danny Wilson and then Andy Little, with the third effort from Isa Bagci going high over.

On the half-hour mark McKay threatened again, this time cutting in from the left but shooting straight at Vaiculus. Kilmarnock had another chance soon after when Vaiculus under pressure from McKay could only punch to the edge of the box, and only a good block from Ross Perry cleared the danger.

The last chance of the first half came when Isa Bagci was put through, only to shoot weakly straight at Weir.

The second half was pretty tame until the 66th minute when Rangers came inches from taking the lead. Substitute Lee Bryce, a trialist from Raith Rovers, was brought down just outside the box. Stephen Stirling stepped up to beat Mark Weir only to see his shot come back off the keeper’s left hand post.

Five minutes later and it was another free kick that almost gave Kilmarnock the lead. A great shot from their Trialist No. 8 brought out a fine save from Grant Adam as he tipped over. The last real chance of the game came in the 73rd minute, Stephen Stirling’s shot was deflected into the path of Lee Bryce. Just as he was about to pull the trigger, a fantastic challenge from Gavin Brown cleared the ball for a corner.

The game then petered out to a goalless draw, which was probably a fair result, with Kilmarnock edging the first half and Rangers the second.

Full Time:- Rangers 0 Kilmarnock 0

Rangers :- Arturs Vaiculus (Grant Adam 60 mins); Steven Forbes, Ross Perry, Andy Little, Danny Wilson; Craig McShea (Kyle McAusland 84mins), Stephen Stirling, Kyle Hutton (Max Wright 74mins), Gregg Wylde (Kal Naismith 71mins); Isa Bagci (Gordon Dick 65mins), Kane Hemmings (Lee Bryce 53mins).

Kilmarnock:- Mark Weir (Lee Bannatyne); Gavin Brown, Michael Doyle, Scott Walker; Chris Gilmour (Darren Wilcox); Stuart Currie (Jamie Lindsay), Trialist No.8, Gary Fisher (Euan Cunningham), Paul McInnes; Danny McKay (Craig Fisher), Trialist No.11.