ian1964 10,870 Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 RANGERS' Reserves will try to keep their slim title hopes alive when they take on third place Hearts at Forthbank Stadium this afternoon (kick-off 2pm). Tommy Wilson' side are seven points behind in the championship race after 19 games and a defeat to the Jambos will see league leaders Celtic crowned champions for the eighth consecutive season. Tommy Wilson, Jimmy Sinclair and Billy KirkwoodIt is expected that several under-19 players will be drafted in to the Gers' squad for today's trip to Stirling with a number of first-team stars providing experience. But Wilson will be hoping his team can build on the 2-1 victory picked up against Aberdeen at Murray Park a week ago. Hearts will also go in to the match with confidence after beating Celtic 3-2 at Forthbank in their last league outing on April 14, a result which stopped Willie McStay's team from clinching the title on that day. Celtic's next match is against Rangers at Ibrox on April 28. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Why is this not played at Murray Park? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,199 Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Why is this not played at Murray Park? Because it is an away fixture ? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyk 158 Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Mcgregor, Little, Wilson, Webster, Wylde, Lennon, Hemdani, Ferguson, Fleck, Naismith, Aaron Barry subbed after 1 min holding his hamstring....Stephen stirling on, Fleck playing centre midfield now........... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,199 Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 We may not need to debate Ferguson's inclusion in the team for a few weeks.... hopefully nothing too bad. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Ally 0 Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 We may not need to debate Ferguson's inclusion in the team for a few weeks.... hopefully nothing too bad. Not good news. Not impressed by the midfield at all atm, Edu aside who has done well til Hibs where he was a bit quieter. Worryingly Davis and Mendes should be the big performers making Edu's introduction as first team regular easier and less pressurised. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyk 158 Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 (edited) BARRY FERGUSON has limped off just two minutes into his first game since he was made available for selection again by Rangers manager Walter Smith. The former Ibrox captain, appearing for Tommy Wilson's reserves against Hearts at Stirling Albion's Forthbank Stadium, was injured in the early stages of the game. Barry Ferguson, RangersFerguson appeared to hurt himself as he went to make a block tackle on Jambos winger David Templeton on the Main Stand side. He was immediately replaced by teenage midfielder Stephen Stirling and his departure comes as a real blow to the 31-year-old. Determined to win his place back in manager Smith's plans, coming off so early is an obvious setback for Ferguson - although it remains to be seen how serious the knock is. Allan McGregor is also playing for the second string and has looked alert, with the score still at 0-0 as half-time approaches. Make sure you keep coming back to http://www.rangers.co.uk this afternoon for updates, reports and pictures from the game. We'll bring you any further news there might be on the extent of Ferguson's condition as soon as we have it. http://www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,5~1634832,00.html Very quick off the mark I see Edited April 21, 2009 by johnnyk 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyk 158 Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 0-0 half time............ 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,199 Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 How strange is it to see this in type.... former Ibrox captain Barry Ferguson.... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,870 Posted April 21, 2009 Author Share Posted April 21, 2009 In The Balance Hearts Reserves 0-0 Rangers Reserves By Andrew Dickson RANGERS' are clinging on to their SPL Reserve League title hopes after they failed to get a much-needed win against third-top Hearts at Forthbank. Barry Ferguson in action at Forthbank before he limped offIn a match when midfielder Barry Ferguson made the briefest of comebacks before getting injured again, the Light Blues dominated without making a breakthrough. Their 0-0 draw in Stirling means they are now six points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic - whom they meet next Tuesday afternoon at Ibrox - with two games to play. They must win the derby and against Inverness on May 5 then hope the Parkhead team loses to both Dundee United and Aberdeen next month. Even then, Tommy Wilson's men will be relying on goal difference and the coach will appreciate that's a tall order. Of course, the pre-match talking point before this fixture was the return to action of Ferguson and Allan McGregor. Each made their first appearances in Gers colours since their two-week suspensions by the club for their behaviour whilst on Scotland duty. Allan McGregorFerguson's outing lasted barely two minutes as he went off with what appeared to be a calf problem after he made a block tackle on David Templeton. With Ally McCoist, Kenny McDowall and Ian Durrant amongst those looking on, it wasn't the kind of day the former club captain had in mind. Hearts tested McGregor with a couple of half chances but he looked comfortable throughout and it was the visitors who had the best chances before the break. Danny Wilson had a bullet header from John Fleck's corner cleared off the line at the far post and Aaron put the ball over when Steven Naismith set him up. The Spaniard had another opportunity shortly before the interval when the lively Steven Lennon was fouled on the right flank. But whilst he was on target this time, Jambos keeper Jamie McDonald smothered his driven free kick without too much trouble. Rangers continued to press after the restart as they looked for the win that would keep boost their title hopes. Brahim HemdaniNaismith went close with a header while Andrew Little also nodded over after Gregg Wylde's deep cross. With time starting to run out, Andy Webster was next to have a go but he couldn't make a difference as he put the ball past the woodwork. Gers were thrown a lifeline with 13 minutes left when Hearts skipper Ryan McGowan was shown a second yellow card for handball. But despite towing everyone bar McGregor forward in the dying seconds, they couldn't net and now they'll hope results can go for them instead elsewhere. RANGERS: McGregor; Little, Webster, Wilson, Wylde; Lennon (Hutton 81), Ferguson (Stirling 2), Hemdani (Durie 72), Aaron; Naismith, Fleck. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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