Hibs under 20s v Rangers under 20s

[Zappa 0]

Tuesday, 25 March 2014 16:15

U20: Hibernian 0-0 Rangers

Written by Andrew Dickson

 

 

INJURY-HIT Rangers turned in a strong second-half defensive show to move to the top of the SPFL Under-20 League thanks to a 0-0 draw with third-placed Hibernian.

 

The Light Blues were on the back foot for much of this game at the Easter Road outfit’s training base outside Edinburgh.

 

But despite being without several personnel who would normally be involved, they clung on to get the point they required to overtake Celtic at the summit.

 

The Parkhead team lost 1-0 at Dunfermline last night and Gers knew any kind of positive result for them would see them take the initiative ahead on Monday’s derby.

 

Andy Murdoch, Craig Halkett, Jamie Burrows, Calum Gallagher and Darren Ramsay were all among those missing.

 

But Gordon Durie’s team scrapped hard and wouldn’t be breached as it edged ever so slightly ahead with eight games in the competition to go.

 

Gers went into this fixture off the back of an 18-match unbeaten run which had continued last week with a spirited 2-1 win over Inverness in Dingwall.

 

There were changes to the side from that game though as Durie’s selection problems continued and he had to draft under-17 players in to make up numbers on the bench.

 

New signing Ryan Finnie, secured on a contract until the end of the season yesterday, made his first start after featuring as a trialist two weeks ago against Dundee United.

 

Greg Pascazio, Kristian Gibson and Robbie Crawford also came in, while Chris Hegarty continued his comeback with another start following a long-term ankle problem.

 

Rangers had beaten Hibs in each of their first two meetings with them this season, winning 5-1 in the SFA Youth Cup at Ibrox in November then 2-0 at Murray Park in the league.

 

But the Edinburgh side went into this one having beaten Celtic recently and they knew a win would be enough to send them top of the table too.

 

They began well and Alex Harris was unfortunate to see his shot blocked after good work on the left by Abdellah Zoubir.

 

Forward Jason Cummings was also denied and at a crucial moment too, with his attempt seemingly goalbound before it was diverted away for a corner instead.

 

The visitors took time to respond and even when they had chances to get the ball into the box at free kicks, Charlie Telfer’s deliveries weren’t great as he struggled to get past the first man.

 

That said, Finnie had a go from long range when his first cross was headed clear but it was always running wide.

 

And although the former Hamilton man tried his luck from distance again soon after and his drive was struck better the second time, it was comfortably held by keeper Paul Grant.

 

As the first half wore on, the Light Blues gradually came into the game and Telfer’s energy won a corner but Hegarty couldn’t convert when it dropped into the mix.

 

The same applied with Luca Gasparotto when Crawford arrowed a set piece his way as the away side continued to apply pressure without making a breakthrough.

 

It wasn’t a surprise to see Hibs come back again and Pascazio had to be alert to nod clear a dangerous hanging cross from Owain Jones.

 

There was a real let off too for Gers when Zoubir picked out Harris and he headed a strong effort past the post with Scott Gallacher beaten.

 

Once again, the game swung the other way and Telfer and Crawford combined well down the left to present a chance to Danny Stoney and he put the ball in the net at the second attempt.

 

But the referee ruled he had handled the ball first and had blown to stop play before he could roll over the line.

 

A hard-fought opening period brought a premature end to the game for Finnie, who had shown some nice touches playing on the right side of midfield.

 

He fell awkwardly in a fair challenge and couldn’t recover, meaning Scott Roberts replaced him moments before the whistle went to signal it was still goalless at the midway point.

 

Hibernian began brightly at the restart, with Daniel Handling flagged offside just when it seemed he might connect and score from close range.

 

Undeterred, the hosts kept piling forward but they found the likes of Hegarty, Gasparotto and Pascazio in fine form.

 

And even when they did find a way through, Gallacher saved Euan Smith’s low drive before Cummings put the rebound across goal and wide.

 

Playing down the slope, it wasn’t long before Rangers responded and Roberts brought out a good save from Grant as he got down well to turn around his near post.

 

It seemed an opening goal was close and Hibs began looking more likely to get it as Max Todd hit the bar for the capital team then Cummings pulled wide.

 

But again Roberts drew a stop from Grant on his line and with quarter of an hour to go the match was still wide open.

 

A free kick from Ryan Baptie almost ghosted past everyone and in but Gallacher was grateful to see it drop wide.

 

The keeper then made a wonderful stop to deny Robert Wilson with a terrific reaction stop before the substitute put the rebound over.

 

Rangers were really hanging on as full-time drew closer but a combination of resolute defending, a lucky break or two and some poor finishing from their opponents was enough.

 

They’d earned their point and it suited them more as it took them to the top of the standings ahead of that crucial derby on Monday night.

 

RANGERS: Gallacher; Pascazio, Hegarty, Gasparotto, Sinnamon; Finnie (Roberts 45), Gibson, Telfer, Dykes; Crawford; Stoney.

 

SUBS NOT USED: Kelly, Wilson, Mossie.

 

http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/academy-news/item/6618-u20-hibernian-0-0-rangers

[rbr 1,254]

I,m pleasantly surprised that this young squad are not only competing but actually in with a great chance of winning it , that Celtic and Dun Hibs have spent literally fortunes bringing in kids yet we are not only competing but beating them , well done Durie and the swifts

[Super Cooper 0]

I,m pleasantly surprised that this young squad are not only competing but actually in with a great chance of winning it , that Celtic and Dun Hibs have spent literally fortunes bringing in kids yet we are not only competing but beating them , well done Durie and the swifts

 

Are Hibs kids paid more than ours mate? Also, what money have Hibs threw at their youth set up?

[rbr 1,254]

That I don't know but it would be interesting , also Hibs were well in this league infact if they won they would have went top , Celtic still have to play them

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Super Cooper 0]

That I don't know but it would be interesting , also Hibs were well in this league infact if they won they would have went top , Celtic still have to play them

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I am sure they beat Celtic a few weeks ago too mate. 1-0.

[ian1964 10,625]

I am sure they beat Celtic a few weeks ago too mate. 1-0.

 

Correct - Hibernian 1-0 Celtic - Energy Assets Arena, 6pm Tuesday March 11, 2014

 

You get all past results here: http://spfl.co.uk/reserve-and-youth/

[Super Cooper 0]

Cheers Ian.

[der Berliner 3,563]

You do wonder whether some of our first team coaches were there and did not solely look at our youngsters, but other talent as well.

[ian1964 10,625]

GORDON DURIE hopes Ally McCoist allows him to use as many of the club’s brightest young talents as possible in Monday’s SPFL Under-20 League derby with Celtic.

 

Rangers will go into that match a point clear of the Parkhead side with eight games remaining in the competition after their hard-earned 0-0 draw at third-placed Hibernian yesterday.

 

That result was achieved without a number of key players, most of whom were injured and therefore unavailable to play.

 

There were also people missing such as Calum Gallagher because of his recent promotion into the first-team pool.

 

Striker Gallagher has been a key player for Durie’s team this season while the likes of Fraser Aird and Robbie Crawford have made notable contributions too.

 

With a senior game at Arbroath coming first two days before, there’s a need to have squads ready to take part in both games.

 

And Durie has his fingers crossed McCoist rotates his own group in such a way that it allows him to put out the best side possible to go on to win the derby.

 

He said: “We’re looking forward to the game on Monday and hopefully we’ve got a strong team for that one.

 

“Our task is all about getting young boys ready to play for the first team and we’ve had Calum doing that recently.

 

“Charlie Telfer has been up there in the squad too and there have been four or five boys round training with the senior group.

 

“On a selfish note, it would be great if we had all of these boys playing for us next week but it’s great the likes of Calum is in the first team and we’re delighted with that.”

 

Monday’s game will take place behind closed doors at Auchenhowie after consultation with Celtic and Police Scotland.

 

The decision was taken to play without an audience primarily because of the high cost policing the match with appropriate numbers of officers would incur.

 

Durie’s players are naturally disappointed they won’t play the derby in front of a pulsating crowd but the coach is sure they’ll rise to the occasion just as much anyway.

 

He added: “It’s one of these things but we can look forward to that game now and I’m sure the boys will be up for that.

 

“It’ll be a wee bit disappointing for them the game is not at Ibrox but we’ve played a few games at Murray Park and have done really well.

 

“Hopefully that can happen again. We’ll be really focused and ready to go in the derby next Monday night.”

 

http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/academy-news/item/6623-duries-hope-for-derby

[ian1964 10,625]

LUCA GASPAROTTO says Rangers will go into their under-20 derby against Celtic next week brimming with belief after they moved to the top of the league yesterday.

 

The Light Blues had to put in a strong defensive show to ensure they came out of their away fixture at Hibernian with the draw they needed to overtake the Parkhead side in the standings.

 

Their 0-0 stalemate means it’s Gers who have a one-point advantage going into the closed-doors fixture at Murray Park with eight games remaining in the competition.

 

Two of those fixtures will be against Stephen Frail’s side and given there’s so little between the teams in the table, the expectation is each match will be a tight affair.

 

But having gone 19 games unbeaten under Gordon Durie, Gasparotto is looking only at his own squad and he’s optimistic ahead of the biggest match of the season yet.

 

He said: “We’re delighted to be top of the league going into the game against Celtic next week and we’re all looking forward to that game.

 

“It should be a good match and we’re going to need to put in a performance again like we have been in recent weeks to come out on top.

 

“We’re preparing well each week and now our focus is all on Celtic and getting ready for that match.

 

“We’re all up for it from the coaches to the players and whether it’s behind closed doors or not, we know there’s a job to be done and we’re concentrating on trying to get the win.

 

“We want to move even further ahead at the top of the league because it’s our goal to go on to win that and the SFA Youth Cup.

 

“Everyone knows what needs to be done and we feel we’re getting stronger every week. The young lads are all playing really well and looking to get into the first team.

 

“We’re showing that with our games and the run we’ve been on so now we’re hoping to continue that in the derby.”

 

Gasparotto played a key role in yesterday’s meeting with the Hibees as he and Chris Hegarty both remained stubborn enough to keep the Edinburgh team out.

 

There have been calls from many supporters for the Canadian teenager to add to the first-team outings he got at the end of last season again in the current run of games.

 

But aside from the players already involved, he knows he has competition from Hegarty too as the former Millwall trainee gets stronger following an ankle injury.

 

Gasparotto added: “I’m delighted for Chris because he has had a tough time with injuries and I’m glad he’s back and playing really well.

 

“He was a great player in the first team last season and hopefully he can get back to that stage.

 

“It’s great for me to play alongside someone like that and I’m learning a lot from him. Hopefully we can keep things going and keep getting clean sheets and wins.”

 

http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/academy-news/item/6622-brimming-with-belief