Mendes Steps Up Comeback - along with 3 Serie A Trialists

[Rangers Football Club 0]

PEDRO plays for first time after three months on sidelines

 

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PEDRO Mendes completed just over an hour of action for the Light Blues as he stepped up his comeback from a knee injury.

 

Pedro MendesThe Portuguese star was part of a reserve side that ran out 3-0 winners over Dunfermline at Murray Park thanks to goals from Rory Loy, Andrew Shinnie and Ross Perry.

 

It marked Mendes' first action since late October when he failed to complete the Gers' 4-1 home defeat to Unirea Urziceni in the Champions League.

 

In a match essentially arranged to give Mendes an opportunity to play the midfielder looked sharp and comfortable throughout in a straightforward victory for his side.

 

That will have been a boost to the watching Walter Smith and Ally McCoist as they attempt to juggle a squad beset by injury in recent weeks.

 

The coaches will also have been impressed with Loy who opened the scoring on the half hour mark after sprinting on to a through ball to rifle a right footed effort in to the back of the net.

 

That gave the Light Blues a lead at the break and Mendes emerged for the second half and was only replaced once the Gers were further in front through Shinnie.

 

The youngster, also making a comeback from a knee problem earned a penalty and picked himself up to convert the spot kick.

 

The third and final strike came from an unlikely source in the form of central defender Perry.

 

The defender, who spent the first half of the season on loan to Oxford, burst forward from the back to collect the ball and send a rocket of a left foot shot in to the roof of the net.

 

It was a valuable run out for Mendes and a number of reserve players as well as a group of trialists who were given the opportunity to impress.

 

Two Americans and three Italians were among the squad with a goalkeeper and central defender from the States recommended to reserve coach Tommy Wilson and a trio of Serie A youngsters also appearing from the bench.

 

Edited January 20, 2010 by Frankie

[Dr Preston Burke 0]

What's the point in trialists right now? The Israeli kid scored a hatful pre-season yet we couldn't even offer him a deal

[Stefanovitch 0]

Was Filliipo Maniero there again

[Frankie 8,830]

What's the point in trialists right now? The Israeli kid scored a hatful pre-season yet we couldn't even offer him a deal

 

Fair point but I guess if there is a real star in the making (not sure the Israeli lad was), then we may find another Gattuso...

[calscot 0]

I presume we're looking for free transfers with lowish wages during the current window.

[Super_Ally 0]

Loy to play this weekend?

[Stefanovitch 0]

Loy to play this weekend?

 

Not for the first team I wouldn't think.

 

It will be Lafferty and if he's not fit McCulloch.

[Frankie 8,830]

Yeah, I think Lafferty and McCulloch look most likely if the other forwards can't prove their fitness.

 

I'm especially disappointed with the time taken for Naismith and Beasley to get fit.

[Super_Ally 0]

Not for the first team I wouldn't think.

 

It will be Lafferty and if he's not fit McCulloch.

 

Aye, I think it will be between those two and Fleck for the forward positions depending on Naisy/Beasley's fitness. Just stirring with my post, hence the smiley.