Rangers 1 - 0 Dumbarton: Back where we belong

[Rousseau 10,604]

IBROX -- There was a collective sigh as the embattled ground saw the first shoots of spring and the warming rays of the sun. It was one of the worst winters on record, with blizzards battering the length of the United Kingdom, and the public were relieved to see the light at the end of the tunnel. On the 25th of April, 1891, Rangers welcomed Dumbarton to Ibrox Park for game 16 of the 18-game season. A crowd of 12,000 saw Rangers claim the points, winning 4-2 thanks to goals from McPherson, McCreadie, Hislop and Kerr. Finishing level on points, Rangers and Dumbarton would go on to draw a play-off decider 2-2, ensuring that the first Scottish Championship was shared.

 

It would be the first of many league titles as Rangers would carve an illustrious history, laden with silverware. Meanwhile, The Sons -- derived from the phrase 'Sons of The Rock', a term used to describe those born in the town of Dumbarton, under the rock -- despite going on to win the second Scottish Championship the following year, never reached the same heights, and settled into a position of mediocrity outside the top flight.

 

54 league titles and 125 years later, Rangers and Dumbarton square-up again with another title at stake; this time 50,000 will watch Rangers go for the lesser prize of the Scottish Championship. It comes at the end of a particularly difficult period for Rangers as the club has fought to regain its rightful place at the top of Scottish football, after being demoted to the 4th tier. In the wider context of the history of Rangers, the Championship title is nothing special, but after four years of turmoil, both on and off the pitch, it represents another priceless step completed.

 

In the narrower context of this season, the game comes at the beginning of a series of 'big' games, where the proverbial eyes could quite easily be taken off the ball. The game comes at the start of a grueling run of 4 games within two weeks, including a Petrofac Challenge Cup Final and an Old Firm game. A young and inexperienced 'Gers side has never dealt with a series of games of this import -- despite these games not being at the level that the fans are used to, it does represent a new challenge.

 

The Sons have shown indifferent form over the past two months. An excellent victory against Hibs and a draw against Falkirk -- arguably two of the best sides in the league -- have been the only high points in series of games that has seen them lose 5 of their last 9, including a 6-0 mauling at the hands of Queen of the South. The results against Hibs and Falkirk suggest that have some ability when they get it right.

 

Rangers' form has also been indifferent of late. Coming off a 15 game unbeaten run, Rangers have lost to Falkirk, narrowly beat Queen of the South and drew last weekend against Raith. The most worrying aspect is the 9 goals conceded in those 3 games. The only upside is that goals-scored remain abundant, with 9 goals scored in the last three. With the end in sight, Rangers seem to be stuttering and stumbling towards the title.

 

The head-to-head has been the most one-sided of any match-up this season. In the three games played thus far, Rangers have won all three, scoring 12 goals. Invariably well organised, Dumbarton frustrated Rangers in the first game before eventually falling to two Waghorn goals, then goals at important times (just before and then just after the break) opened the floodgates in the next two meetings, paving the way for 4-0 and 0-6 victories.

 

Dumbarton generally set up with a 4-4-2, but have experimented with a narrow 4-1-2-1-2 formation recently. A solid defence includes the experienced Frazer Wright (once of Kilmarnock and St. Johnstone) and former Motherwell and Scotland prospect Steven Saunders; the experienced Darren Barr strengthens the midfield. The powerful Christian Nade -- fresh from his Player Of The Month award -- and experienced Paul Heffernan lead the line; a somewhat immobile front two, but both can provide a serious threat at set-pieces. There are no new injury worries.

 

Rangers, likewise, have no new injury worries (outwith the long-term absences of Bell, Templeton and Waghorn) and no after-effects from the recent international call-ups for the younger players.

 

There will be no change in the formation, with the 4-3-3 used in every game this season. With almost every player available, I predict the same line-up as last weekend against Raith. The game is there to be won and the prize self-evident, so the defensive aspect of Ball's game is unnecessary. I predict the following line-up:

 

Foderingham

 

Tavernier - Kiernan - Wilson - Wallace ©

 

Holt - Halliday - Forrester

 

O'Halloran - Miller - McKay

 

Dumbarton are invariably well-organised and can provide a strong test for our offensive line, but with the prize of Premiership football next season it's important that we finish the job. A series of 'big' games in the space of a fortnight could easily be a dangerous distraction for our young and inexperienced side. Despite being in poor form, Dumbarton can pose a danger as their results against Falkirk and Hibs indicate.

 

Silverware is the prize at the end of it; it's there waiting to be taken. It may not be the league title we want, but it is silverware. The history of Rangers is synonymous with silverware. More importantly, it represents another stage completed in our struggle to regain our place in the top flight; and one more step towards league title number 55. In the immortal words of Winston Churchill: "Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

Edited April 6, 2016 by pete

[Frankie 8,562]

Excellent stuff mate - many thanks!

[Frankie 8,562]

I think it's worth touching on experience again.

 

Very few of these players have played at a club with the expectations of Rangers and despite his League One win with Brentford, even the manager is inexperienced in such situations. This may result in a naiveness at times and I think we need to take that into account.

 

I also think and hope the manager will add experience - honour winning experience - to the squad for next season. He may also need to revisit some of his own words and decisions. It sounds good to say we'll attack, attack, attack under any situation but that's just not realistic and cost us on Saturday - and arguably against Falkirk - though we've benefited from such an outlook too.

 

Next season it's going to be fascinating in so many ways but, for the moment, we need to keep focussed for the here and now.

[calscot 0]

Dumbarton are the Championship team that have caused us the least problems this season - unless you count a resolute park the bus performance in the 2-1 victory over them in September. The only other side not to have taken points from us at some point is St Mirren, but they have made it a bit difficult for us in two 1-0 victories.

 

Not sure how motivated they will be to go all out for a point, but they are still battling with Livingstone to avoid the relegation play-off place. Maybe the way the game goes will be determined by whether we achieve an early goal - as I think that would relax our players a bit and remove some of Dumbarton's determination, with the crowd getting buoyant. Not find the net early, could mean the players getting frustrated, Dumbarton growing in confidence and the crowd getting restless.

 

It's the ideal time to put the Championship to bed and not to do so will leave a lot of punters very disappointed, even though mathematically we only need 2 points in 5 games, failure of which is pretty inconceivable. It's time for the players to show if they have a bit of bottle in bringing the trophies home, which is part of the mettle that shows you are Rangers class.

[MacK1950 2,376]

A great post thanks Rousseau but re team Ball has to come back in at expense of either Wilson or Halliday both have been pretty crap recent games.Would love to replace Tav but he has luxury of no cover for hos position.Please no more Zalelam this season.

[der Berliner 3,744]

On a sidenote, it would be sickening if we lose a player through injury ahead of the cup games. Maybe the manager takes this into account too. On another sidenote, if Hibs don't beat Livvy on the same eve, all will be over too.

[Frankie 8,562]

Preview now published on main site:

 

http://www.gersnet.co.uk/index.php/news-category/match-analysis/606-gaining-success-through-experience-rangers-v-dumbarton

[BEARGER 1,830]

Predictions thread now up.

[ian1964 10,721]

Remaining Tickets On Sale

 

MARK WARBURTON’s side have the opportunity to secure the SPFL Championship title this Tuesday against Dumbarton and you can still be there.

 

Following Saturday’s draw with Raith Rovers and Hibernian drawing with Alex Rae’s St Mirren the Gers are now just three points away from securing a return to the top flight of Scottish football.

 

The Light Blues are on 76 points for the season from 31 games and are fourteen points ahead of Falkirk in second place who have played 32 games, with Alan Stubbs’ Hibs down in third position on 56 points from 29 games.

 

You can still be there at Ibrox as the Gers go for the title – so check out the details below and buy your ticket today before they’re all gone!

 

Due the high volume of sales purchased since Saturday, which is now approximately 5,000, the club has made the decision to remove tickets from sale on the website and via the ticket hotline, the only way to purchase the remaining 1,000 tickets is by coming to the Ticket Centre.

 

We are expecting there to be a high number of ticket collections for the match so if you have a ticket to pick up, please head to the stadium as early as you can to avoid queuing. Collections will be from the main Ticket Centre tomorrow night, however if possible fans should collect their tickets now due to the expected queuing.

 

Rangers Ticket Hotline is open Monday to Sunday from 9am-9pm. Rangers Ticket Centre is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am until 5pm. Thursday 9am until 6pm, Saturday 10am until 2pm and closed Sunday.

 

For supporter enquires relating to existing purchases only, please call 0371 702 1972

 

Ladbrokes Championship

Rangers v Dumbarton

Tuesday 5 April 2016 – Kick Off 7.45pm

 

*Ticket prices from £18 adults, £13 concessions and £5 juniors

*Prices quoted are for the Family stand.

 

http://rangers.co.uk/news/tickets/dumbarton-tickets-still-sale/

[jhunter 0]

with any luck with a full, expectant house we'll go out all guns blazing in the first 20 minutes and just sew this up

 

they are not a good team, we are exceptional at our best.

 

just do it.