Velicka Scores Winner

[ian1964 10,720]

TOMMY Wilson's reserve side secured a tight 1-0 win over Hamilton to narrow the gap with Celtic at the summit of the SPL reserve league.

 

Andrius Velicka's 33rd minute strike was enough to earn the light blues a victory and move them to within two points of their rivals who were held to a draw earlier on Monday.

 

Wilson made a host of changes from the side that had faced Dundee United at Murray Park last midweek with Christian Dailly, Barry Ferguson, Charlie Adam and Neil Alexander all dropping out of the squad.

 

But the match started in a similar vein as Rangers conceded an early penalty when Lee McCulloch was deemed to have handled in the box.

 

However, just as Danny Swanson had missed an early spot kick for United, so Tony Stevenson fired an effort wide to let the visitors off the hook.

 

Hamilton were then forced to endure some sustained pressure as Chris Burke and Rory Loy forced saves from Sean Murdoch.

 

And the home side cracked under the pressure just after the half hour mark when Burke and Loy combined well to set up Velicka for the only goal of the game.

 

Gers maintained the pressure after the interval with Andrew Shinnie twice coming close in the opening stages of the second half.

 

However two substitutions midway though the second period seemed to disrupt the visitors' rhythm.

 

First teamers Lee McCulloch and Steven Whittaker were the two men to make way as Andy Little and Willie McLachlan were introduced.

 

Hamilton pushed for an equaliser and had the ball in the net with three minutes left, but Sorsa's strike was ruled out for offside from Kirkpatrick's left wing cross.

 

Wilson's side hung on for a crucial three points ahead of a lengthy break from league action.

 

Rangers: G.Smith; Whittaker (McLachlan, 65), McCulloch (Little, 65), McMillan, S.Smith; Burke, Shinnie, Kinniburgh, Aaron; Loy, Velicka.

Subs: Robinson, Efrem, Bagci.

 

Hamilton: Murdoch; Stevenson, McQueen, McLaughlin, Gibson; Gillespie, Taylor, Ettien, Videira; Thomas, Carrigan.

Subs: Hall, Sorsa, Gow, Kirkpatrick, Collins.

[alanmidd 0]

another 90 minutes for Steven Smith. Good news indeed

[Frankie 8,552]

Yep, the more games the better for the lad.

 

Papac didn't have a great game against Caley so, while he may not be dropped anytime soon, it's good to know that Smith is applying pressure on his level of performance.

[alanmidd 0]

Novo playing on the left doesn't really help Papac. Novo will push right up, leaving Papac pretty exposed

[Frankie 8,552]

Novo playing on the left doesn't really help Papac. Novo will push right up, leaving Papac pretty exposed

 

That's true but on Saturday Papac was often the one caught too high up the field meaning Weir and Bougherra had to come out and cover...

 

Big Sasa looked out of sorts generally - even fell over the ball at one point which was quite funny.

[Super_Ally 0]

That's true but on Saturday Papac was often the one caught too high up the field meaning Weir and Bougherra had to come out and cover...

 

Big Sasa looked out of sorts generally - even fell over the ball at one point which was quite funny.

 

Due to him basically having to do no defending and so having to do more of what he is poorer at: getting forward and supporting the attack?

[Frankie 8,552]

I was talking about the second half where Caley did have a few opportunities.

 

At one point McGregor was livid at Papac and ran out of his box to have a go at him.

[craig 5,199]

At one point McGregor was livid at Papac and ran out of his box to have a go at him.

 

Which is rich given how poor McGregor has been this season !!