Naisy's Bid

[ian1964 10,720]

by Lindsay Herron

 

STEVIE NAISMITH is being given another reserve run-out today when he hopes to prove he is ready for a top team return at Falkirk on Sunday.

 

The former Kilmarnock striker has been finding it hard in recent weeks to get into the action, although he did come on as a sub against Hearts on March 21.

 

Tommy WilsonHowever, with Kyle Lafferty now missing with an ankle injury for at least three weeks it could be a chance for Naismith to stake his claim.

 

The 23-year-old scored twice on his last reserve outing when Tommy Wilson's side defeated Hibs 2-1 on March 10.

 

And he is liable to lead the line with Stevie Lennon today when Rangers meet Falkirk Reserves at Murray Park.

 

Wilson's squad is stretched with so many reserve players on loan and two more joined the list yesterday when Steven Kinniburgh joined St Johnstone and Ross Harvey moved to Brechin City.

 

With the international break there are also a number of other players unavailable so Wilson will have a young side out full of under-19 players.

 

Graeme Smith, Stevie Smith and Brahim Hemdani from the first team squad will play.

 

Rangers have the chance to cut Celtic's lead at the top to five points and they still have a home game to come against their Old Firm rivals so there is still plenty to play for.

 

Wilson said: "We have quite a few lads missing and with so many reserve players on loan it makes it difficult.

 

"Players like Aaron, Maurice Edu and Andrius Velicka would all probably have played but they are away so we have to juggle a bit.

 

"The good thing about having the boys on loan is that if gives them a lot of experience and that's important.

 

"However, at the same time we have to try to win Reserve matches. Hopefully the team we put out will be able to do that."

 

Kick-off at Murray Park is 1pm.

[Super_Ally 0]

Any Gersnet scouts at the game?

[pete 2,499]

Hemdani? Is this a European game?

[CammyF 7,982]

Currently 1-0 Rangers after 50odd minutes - Archie Campbell

 

http://futbol24.com/f24_livenow/LiveNow.html

 

EDIT - game finished 1-0 Rangers

 

Cammy F

Edited April 1, 2009 by CammyF

[ian1964 10,720]

Looks like that was the final result

[Super_Ally 0]

Cheers Cammy. Anyone have the teams?

[ian1964 10,720]

TOMMY WILSON praised the young players that helped his Reserve side secure an excellent 1-0 win over Falkirk at Murray Park.

 

The coach admits that he was concerned when he saw Falkirk's experienced starting line-up and wondered how his talented teens would cope with the demands.

 

Tommy WilsonHe need not have worried as players such as Danny Wilson, Ross Perry, Kyle Hutton, Gregg Wylde and scorer Archie Campbell all stood out and showed that they are ready to feature regularly at this level.

 

Tommy said: "I am delighted with the result today, especially after seeing the experienced team Falkirk had out.

 

"In contrast we had a very young side but coped with the situation very well.

 

"We knew there would come a time when we would have to bring a few of our under-19 players in to the Reserve set-up and today was that day because of internationals and players away on loan etc.

 

"I am thrilled with the performance and credit must go to all the players including Archie Campbell who scored a terrific goal.

 

"Three under-19 players were involved in it with Kyle playing it out to Gregg and then Archie getting on the end of his cross. Archie Campbell celebrates scoring with Gregg Wylde

 

"We had a number of chances in the second-half as did Falkirk throughout the game; we expected that from an accomplished team with a lot of good players.

 

"I didn't feel that we were hanging on after we scored but it would have been nice to get the second goal."

 

Rangers have now taken 16 points from their last six games at Reserve level but remain some distance behind leaders Celtic.

 

Tommy added: "We are on a good run of form right now and we need to be with Celtic still ahead although we have still to play them again.

 

"We're still there with an opportunity to win the league which I would have settled for at the start of the season.

 

"I looked at the team line before today's game and only two players were involved in the previous Reserve game against Falkirk.

 

"So that shows you the changes we have had to make in terms of personnel but we are still in with a fighting chance."

[ian1964 10,720]

ARCHIE CAMPBELL was the hero this afternoon as the Rangers' Reserves beat an experienced Falkirk side 1-0 at Murray Park.

 

The pacey 18-year-old was deployed on the right side of midfield for the majority of the opening 45 minutes but moved in to his familiar role as a striker at the start of the second-half.

 

The tactical switch by coach Tommy Wilson immediately paid dividends when Gregg Wylde played a delightful cross in to the box and Archie was there to guide a terrific shot past Bairns' keeper Robert Olejnik.

 

The goal proved decisive in what was an excellent contest between two very good sides.

 

In the first-half both had chances to get their noses in front and, to be fair, the visitors enjoyed the majority of possession.

 

On 14 minutes Kevin Moffat tried his luck from distance with a 20 yard shot across goal which brought out a terrific save by Graeme Smith who had to dive low to his left.

 

And before the half-hour mark Rangers were again fortunate when Arnau Riera chipped a free-kick in to the box and the unmarked Dean Holden somehow missed the target with a right-foot volley from six yards. Brahim Hemdani

 

Rangers, however, were always a threat and on 36 minutes Steven Naismith was guilty of missing a snip.

 

Campbell flicked the ball between two defenders and sent Naisy racing through on goal.

 

He rounded the keeper but took the ball too wide and his shot from a tight angle zipped across the six yard box and out for a goal kick.

 

The second-half was equally hard fought but Campbell clearly relished being up top alongside Naismith and his instintive strike after the interval was a suckerpunch for the Falkirk players.

 

Steven Naismith in action against Falkirk ReservesOnce the goal had been scored Rangers started to control proceedings with Ross Perry and Danny Wilson hugely impressive in the heart of defence.

 

The pace of Naismith and Campbell was also a contant threat and midway through the half the pair combined brilliantly.

 

The latter picked up the ball on the half-way line and fed it out wide to his strike partner before darting past three markers in to the box.

 

Naismith looked up and found his teammate but his shot was straight at Olejnik.

 

Only minutes later Wylde, being utilised on the left side of midfield, played the ball to the overlapping Steven Smith.

 

His inch-perfect cross was met first-time by Naisy from eight yards but again it was too close to the keeper.

 

In the end the Light Blues held on to their advantage and it was an excellent result for a team littered with under-19 players. Steven Lennon

 

Campbell's speed and movement was impressive throughout as was the defensive qualities of Perry and Wilson.

 

In the centre of midfield Kyle Hutton, who scored in the 19s 6-2 win over Inverness on Saturday, worked hard alongside Brahim Hemdani while Wylde was full of energy on the left.

 

The youngsters deserve great credit for the way they performed against a strong Falkirk side who will be kicking themselves for not taking the chances that came their way before half-time.

 

RANGERS: G. Smith; Lowing, Wilson, Perry, S. Smith; Campbell (Bagci), Hemdani, Hutton, Wylde; Lennon, Naismith

 

Subs Not Used: Vaiculis, Forbes, Durie Scott

 

Falkirk: Olejnik, Holden (Sludden), McCaffrey (Stallard), Allison, Staunton (Young), McBride, Aafjes, Riera, Robertson, Lynch, Moffat

 

Subs Not Used: Andrews, Murdoch

 

 

Position P W D L F A Gd Pts

Celtic 17 14 2 1 41 13 28 44

Rangers 17 10 5 2 34 15 19 35

Hearts 17 8 6 3 25 18 7 30

Dundee United 17 8 3 6 25 18 7 27

St Mirren 19 8 2 9 25 29 -4 26

Hibernian 18 7 3 8 26 32 -6 24

Aberdeen 16 7 2 7 19 20 -1 23

Motherwell 16 6 4 6 26 23 3 22

Kilmarnock 18 6 4 8 18 22 -4 22

Inverness CT 19 5 4 10 25 35 -10 19

Falkirk 19 3 4 12 15 36 -21 13

Hamilton 19 3 3 13 23 41 -17 12

Edited April 1, 2009 by ian1964

[ian1964 10,720]

Time to get Archie in the first team

[CammyF 7,982]

Time to get Archie in the first team

 

After watching the U19's last Saturday, I have to admit that whilst Archie Campbell impressed, I wouldn't say he was ready for the first team, just yet anyway. He is fast, in fact, he is lightening, but he is still 'raw' and more often than not, takes the wrong options.

 

In saying that, I believe that we will witness Archie in the first team sooner rather than later. For me, only Wilson and Ness look ready for first team action on the evidence of Saturday's showing.

 

Cammy F