Glasgow Rangers Suffer Partick Problem

The last time Rangers met Partick Thistle they were flying high and heading for an historic quadruple but were caught cold at Ibrox with their 1-1 draw resulting in a replay that started the well talked about fixture pile up that arguably cost Rangers their season.

This year Rangers travel to Firhill in the Co-op Insurance Cup third round with no prospect of a fixture pile up but in desperate need of a trophy to make up for European disappointment.

Rangers make three changes from Saturday’s 2-1 home win over Motherwell. Christian Dailly, DeMarcus Beasley and Kenny Miller miss out as Sasa Papac, Nacho Novo and Jean-Claude Darcheville come in.

Partick Thistle are flying high in the Irn Bru Scottish first division, just two points off leaders Livingston and they’ll be no pushovers.

It didn’t take Rangers long to assert their dominance, looking capable of walking through the Thistle defence with Pedro Mendes pulling the strings for the away side. The Portuguese midfielder has been a revelation North of the border since his £3 million move from Portsmouth.

The Jags weathered the early storm of that included seven Rangers efforts inside the first ten minutes and were unlucky themselves when they had a 15th minute effort ruled out for offside. Replays indicated it was a tough decision on Thistle.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 25th minute and it was a contender for goal of the season. Steven Davis floated a long ball over the top and Kris Boyd volleyed it hard and high into the net.

An incredible strike. Honestly do yourself a favour and check it out on you tube tomorrow.

The first division outfit showed their character by hitting straight back. Steve McEwan turning skillfully on the edge of the box and drawing a fine save from Neil Alexander. The home side looked impressive going forward and equalized after a loose Rangers pass was snapped up in midfield by the home side before McEwan was played in and the midfielder made no mistake, burying his strike in the bottom corner.

Suddenly it was Rangers on the back foot as Partick’s young side sniffed an upset.

It was Rangers though that should have gone into half time in front. Darcheville showed great pace to beat his marker in sprint that took him half the length of the park. The Frenchman then played in Novo who with only the keeper to beat smashed his shot high into the stand.

A thoroughly enjoyable first half and great advert for Scottish football.

The second half started much like the first ended with a fired up Partick taking the game to Rangers. Kirk Broadfoot was even forced to clear off his own goal line as Thistle continually played balls into dangerous areas in and around the box.

The game soon hit a lull as both teams faded back into their own half’s as the long ball took over. Rangers needed a wake up and DeMarcus Beasley replaced Darcheville as the American aimed to boost his fitness after a long injury lay off last season.

With ten minutes left both Rangers and Partick decided they wanted this game over in normal time as both sets of players came alive again. And it was the Rangers keeper not Thistle’s that was to be the hero of the hour. Neil Alexander saving Rangers blushes with a terrific double save minutes from time. The keeper who first replaced the dropped Allan McGregor on Sunday at home to Motherwell justifying Walter Smith’s decision.

So extra time it was to be as Rangers failed to slay their fellow Glasgow side.

The Gers obviously got a bit of a rollicking during the break as they came out for extra time in determined fashion. It seemed like just a matter of time before Rangers got the decisive goal.

It just wasn’t happening for the Gers though as Novo contrived to miss chance after chance as they dominated possession with Partick looking for a penalty shoot out as the teams swapped ends for the last time.

Partick came closest to snatching a victory as Kevin McKinley poked wide from inside the six yard box. It was close enough to give Rangers a jolt as Kyle Lafferty replaced Novo with 10 minutes to play.

It’s was a game of class goals and it was great finish that won it for Rangers with five minutes left. A slip at the back let in Mendes who finished with a superb outside of the boot shot. Rangers had got out of jail.

Partick Thistle were great tonight but Rangers missed plenty of chances that could easily have seen a much clearer result and the only way they wouldn’t have deserved to go through is if they hadn’t scored which for a long while looked likely.

It was always going to be a difficult game for the Gers but they’ll need to improve when they visit Easter Road on Sunday to face the rejuvenated Hibernian.

 

Did you know?

Ally McCoist, the assistant manager of today’s away side celebrates his 46th birthday today. The former striker is Rangers all-time top scorer with over 300 goals and is a true Ibrox legend.