Rangers v St Mirren ââ?¬â?? Match Report & Players Ratings

[CammyF 7,979]

The Rangers juggernaut rolled into a sun drenched national stadium today for the semi-final of the Homecoming Scottish Cup. Walter Smith / Ally McCoist (whoever picks our cup teams) remained loyal to the players who have secured four consecutive SPL victories, with the only change being Christian Daily for the suspended Sasa Papac. Daily slotted into the right back position with the impressive SW moving to left back.

 

Once again, Rangers started fantastically and were 1-0 up within the opening 74 seconds. Possession was gained wide left and the play was switched quickly to the opposite flank where Steve Davis played in Kris Boyd. With Boyd on the hunt for his 100th Rangers goal, the big striker turned and sent a shot goal-ward. His shot lacked conviction but was deflected into the path of Velicka who slammed home his third goal in three starts, his forth for the season.

 

The Rangers support sat back and expected Rangers to use this early goal as a launch-pad, bit once again, after gaining an early initiative, we sat back and allowed St Mirren to settle and to dictate the pace of the game. Our midfield was struggling to cope and bar a decent Pedro Mendes shot, we didn�t threaten to extend our advantage. However, to be honest, St Mirren rarely threatened and Alexander was a mere spectator. Once again, in the first half, our play was fragmented, we offered little or no service to a static front pairing and our midfield surrendered possession and territory with ease. In truth, only Mo Edu transcended meritocracy in a dull and uninspiring first half which ended with a seemingly bad injury to Pedro Mendes. Rangers left the field knowing that a vast improvement was required to secure a place in the final.

 

The 2nd half started as the first finished with St Mirren having the lions share of possession but with little end product. With Davis moving into the centre of midfield, Rangers and the Ulsterman started to dominate proceedings and Davis look far more accomplished in the centre (for 45 minutes) than he has looked wide right all season. It was a surging Davis run which set up the landmark 100th Rangers goal for Kris Boyd. Boyd becomes the first Rangers striker since Mark Hateley to reach the golden three figure mark. Boyd finished off the move with a clinical, cool and composed strike. Rangers sniffed blood and pressed for the third goal that would kill the game. With Edu and Davis controlling midfield and with Kenny Miller (who replaced Velicka) offering some pace and directness coupled with intelligent runs it wasn�t long until Rangers put the game to bed. The ball broke to Miller in the penalty area and he dispatched the ball into the net and secure Rangers� place in the cup final.

 

The remainder of the game was played out in the St Mirren half with Rangers looking for a forth goal to add some gloss to the score-line. Boyd, Miller, Novo and Edu all had chances, but we had to settle for a comfortable 3-0 scoreline. One thing Iââ?¬â?¢d like to highlight is the state of the Hampden pitch. Players sliding all over the place, the ball sticking in the surface (three times I watched Novo then Miller try to run with the ball at their feet, only for the ball to get stuck in the pitch ââ?¬â?? not conducive to fast, free-flowing football). Weââ?¬â?¢ll have to wait to hear the extent of Mendesââ?¬â?¢ injury, but with Davis looking more composed in the centre, we have the Ulsterman to rely on if Mendes is to miss any games. Boogie is suspended for the visit of Hearts, so either Daily, McCulloch or Broadfoot will partner Weir in the centre of defence.

 

All in all, a comfortable victory gained without really hitting top form, but it was fantastic to see three different scorers and the overall man of the match performance from Mo Edu is further evidence that the American can have a huge impact on Rangers� run-in. The destination of both the SPL title and the Homecoming Scottish Cup is firmly in our own hands.

 

Players Ratings

 

Alexander ââ?¬â?? a mere spectator for large periods of the game ââ?¬â?? had one shot to deal with which he touched over the bar ââ?¬â?? 6/10

 

Daily ââ?¬â?? not the greatest performance from the utility man ââ?¬â?? booked for a rash tackle and didnââ?¬â?¢t offer much going forward ââ?¬â?? 5/10

Weir ââ?¬â?? Solid performance but his distribution is shocking ââ?¬â?? 5/10

Boogie ââ?¬â?? Has taken over the King Carlos (who?) mantle ââ?¬â?? great defensively and composed on the ball ââ?¬â?? 7/10

SW ââ?¬â?? not as effective as when he plays right back but was always willing to surge forward and had a decent game defensively ââ?¬â?? 6/10

 

Davis ââ?¬â?? struggled for the entire first half wide right ââ?¬â?? looked a completely different player through the middle in the 2nd half ââ?¬â?? had a hand in all three goals ââ?¬â?? 7/10

Mendes ââ?¬â?? was struggling to get a foot in the game before being carted off injured ââ?¬â?? not his best game ââ?¬â?? 5/10

Edu ââ?¬â?? only player to gain pass marks in the first half and hats off to him for raising his game even further in the 2nd half ââ?¬â?? MOTM by a long way ââ?¬â?? 9/10

Smith ââ?¬â?? once again struggled out left and left his wing to easily making us too narrow on occasions ââ?¬â?? tried hard tho ââ?¬â?? 5/10

 

Velicka ââ?¬â?? another game and another goal ââ?¬â?? do we have another Kris Boyd on our hands here ââ?¬â?? strong and harried all day ââ?¬â?? 6/10

Boyd ââ?¬â?? capped off a decent performance with his 100th goal for Rangers ââ?¬â?? another cool and composed finish from Boyd ââ?¬â?? 7/10

 

Novo ââ?¬â?? replaced the injured Mendes and struggled with the pitch ââ?¬â?? 5/10

Miller ââ?¬â?? once again, his pace, directness and intelligent runs opened up a few chances for Rangers ââ?¬â?? turning into a great impact player and got on the score-sheet ââ?¬â?? 6/10

Little ââ?¬â?? not really enough time to contribute ââ?¬â?? 4/10

[Guest bigbear]

Good overall assesment Cammy.

 

One point i would like to make about players "sliding all over the place"

Surely pros. who earn fabulous wages and run �£150 k top of the range motors can afford several pairs of footware to handle all weather/pitch conditions.

 

The ref was wearing fckin trainers and he never slid once.

[craig 5,199]

Good overall assesment Cammy.

 

One point i would like to make about players "sliding all over the place"

Surely pros. who earn fabulous wages and run �£150 k top of the range motors can afford several pairs of footware to handle all weather/pitch conditions.

 

The ref was wearing fckin trainers and he never slid once.

 

The players dont even pay for their boots, they get them for free.

 

Refs don't have to twist and turn so acutely, hence they are much less likely to slip and slide.

[Whosthedado 1,680]

I agree with MOTM - thought Edu was immense especially 2nd half.

 

Bring on the JT's:rfc:

[Guest bigbear]

The players dont even pay for their boots, they get them for free.

 

Refs don't have to twist and turn so acutely, hence they are much less likely to slip and slide.

 

 

FFS Craig, we all know who pays for boots.

 

Refs dont twist and turn lol ?.

 

Some of the pricks playing today never RAN never mind twisted and turned lol

 

Never mind we are in final:rfc:

[craig 5,199]

FFS Craig, we all know who pays for boots.

 

Refs dont twist and turn lol ?.

 

Some of the pricks playing today never RAN never mind twisted and turned lol

 

Never mind we are in final:rfc:

 

So if you know who pays for them why suggest that players who drive 150k cars should afford several pairs of boots ? It is irrelevant what they drive if they arent paying for the boots anyway. :fish:

 

I didn't say refs dont twist and turn, did I ? They certainly dont twist and turn as acutely or swiftly as players do.

 

I agree... today was played at a snails pace but part of that was because we simply were never under any real pressure.

[Super_Ally 0]

Not sure Weir or Smith were as bad as Dailly. He was truly horrible today. Hopefully Sasa wont miss anymore games.

[pete 2,499]

As i said in another thread Edu was by far my motm. He broke up the play and i only witnessed him making one bad dangerous pass. Well worth the 9\10

Nacho Novo having trouble with the pitch? mmmm! Was that the reason for his complete lack of composure and insight to where his fellow team mates are positioned. We could have scored more if he had a clue where his colleagues were positioned. His industry is worth a 5\10 his composure and insight is worth a super sub place.

[gisabeer 409]

Not sure Weir or Smith were as bad as Dailly. He was truly horrible today. Hopefully Sasa wont miss anymore games.

 

Smith had a very good second half and deserved much better than a 5. Starting to think you dont like the guy!

[CammyF 7,979]

Smith had a very good second half and deserved much better than a 5. Starting to think you dont like the guy!

 

Nope, just my honest opinion. He played far too narrow all game, negating any width we had. His crossing was terrible, he took 4 corners, three hit the first defender and the forth went straight to the keeper.

 

I rightly praised him after the Motherwell game where he had a very decent game in midfield. However, he has struggled against both Hibs and now St Mirren.

 

Cammy F