Rangers vs Raith Rovers Ramsdens Cup Final 06/04/2014 KO 16:05

[Lofty.]

On Sunday Rangers have the opportunity to add a second piece of silverware to go with the League 1 trophy that is well and truly in the bag.

 

Speaking ahead of the game, Ally McCoists insists he'll play his strongest possible side.

 

Ally McCoist: I'll Play The Best Team I Can

 

ALLY McCOIST is adamant he’ll play his strongest possible team on Sunday against Raith rather than rest people for the Scottish Cup semi-final against Dundee United six days later.

The Light Blues have injury concerns over Nicky Law, Jon Daly, Andy Little, David Templeton and Ian Black for the Ramsdens Cup final with Rovers at Easter Road.

So far only Law has been able to train from that group, although there is optimism more of those could prove their fitness to play.

There is a train of thought which suggests it might be more worthwhile not to push certain individuals for the sake of ensuring they’re ready to take on the Arabs next Saturday.

But McCoist appreciates how vital it is for his side to win this weekend’s competition decider and in that sense he’s looking to get as many people as he can back in the fold for then.

He said: “The most important game for us is the next one and at the moment that’s the Ramsdens Cup final.

“We do have four or five pretty serious injury doubts and problems and we won’t take any chances with them.

“But if they’re fit to play – and they obviously want to play – they will play. I don’t think we are in a position to look ahead to the following week.

“With our next game being a cup final, it’s certainly the most important just now and we’ll start preparing for the Dundee United match immediately after that.

“At this stage I’d be most hopeful about Nicky. The others are all big, big doubts and we’ll see how they get on.â€

McCoist has always stressed winning leagues and ensuring promotion each season is the priority for Rangers while they find themselves outside the top flight of the SPFL.

But having already secured the League One crown this season, he’s determined to add a new piece of silverware to the collection of past club honours.

He added: “The interest has been great from supporters and media alike. It’s something we want to get our hands on to keep the momentum we’ve got going in terms of winning games.

“We’ve never won the tournament before. The most important thing for us last year and this year has been getting out of the league we’re in.

“At the same time, we’ve got an opportunity to win a cup on Sunday as well and we’re not treating that lightly.â€

 

[Lofty.]

Team News:

 

Nicky Law, Ian Black and Jon Daly Start

 

NICKY LAW, Ian Black and Jon Daly have all been named in the Rangers starting XI for today’s Ramsdens Cup Final against Raith Rovers at Easter Road.

The experienced trio were all doubts in the build-up to the big game but they have been given the all-clear to play which is a massive boost for the Light Blues as they look to win the Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

In total Ally McCoist makes four changes to the side that started against Arbroath at Gayfield Park eight days ago.

Bilel Mohsni, who was suspended last weekend, returns to the Gers backline in place of Seb Faure while Robbie Crawford drops out with Black playing alongside Kyle Hutton in the centre of midfield.

Arnold Peralta misses today's game because of bookings he received in previous rounds and it is Stevie Smith who takes the Honduran’s place.

Up top Nicky Law gets the nod ahead of Nicky Clark with the Englishman expected to play in the hole between the midfield and Rangers' top scorer Jon Daly.

So with Cammy Bell between the posts it is a back four of Richard Foster, Bilel Mohsni, Lee McCulloch and Lee Wallace who will provide protection in front of the club’s number one.

In front of them is a midfield four consisting of Fraser Aird, Kyle Hutton, Ian Black and Stevie Smith while Nicky Law and Jon Daly spearhead the Gers attack.

On the five-man Gers bench this afternoon are Steven Simonsen, Nicky Clark, Seb Faure, Dean Shiels and Calum Gallagher.

RAITH ROVERS: Robinson, Thomson, Booth, Watson, Hill, Fox, Cardle, Moon, Elliot, Anderson, Baird

SUBS: Laidlaw, Spence, Donaldson, Smith, Mullen

RANGERS: Bell; Foster, Mohsni, McCulloch, Wallace; Aird, Hutton, Black, Smith; Law, Daly

SUBS: Simonsen, Clark, Faure, Shiels, Gallagher

REF: Kevin Clancy

[Lofty.]

Rangers 0-1 Raith Rovers a.e.t.

 

Rangers long unbeaten run finally came to an end today thanks to a sucker punch three minutes from the end of the second period of extra time. Rangers had been going for the win while Raith appeared to have settled for penalties. Not so.

 

Ultimately it was poor finishing that cost Rangers the Cup. They had plenty of opportunities, including a couple of close range headers than an unmarked Mohsni managed to put well wide of the target. The Raith keeper also played his part in keeping the Rovers clean sheet.

 

This was also the first time Raith Rovers had beaten Rangers since 1970. Rovers are of course, a tier above Rangers, in the Scottish Championship. A timely reminder perhaps that Rangers will need to invest wisely and to improve greatly if they are to have anything like the level of success in the Championship that they have had during this year's League One campaign.

 

.

[carrickblue]

A shocking display from Rangers.  In fact that display wasn't fitting of a Rangers team in any cup final even if it was just the Ramsdens Cup.  Better shape up for next weekend or Ibrox will be a very unhappy place. Plenty will doubt that McCoist is the right man to take the club further forward.    

[stubrown1]

Agree mate. I am sitting still in shock can't believe how bad Rangers played.

I dread to think what the result could be on Saturday.

[bluemurder]

funniest result all season !!

[Lofty.]

Looks like somene's going for the hattrick.

[Benhur]

THat was bad but I will be there on Saturday as the club needs the suppoert no matter how bad the team is.

[bluemurder]

Looks like somene's going for the hattrick.

and it's not Rangers !!

[loz]

You could argue Rangers did well to get to the final. Getting to a cup final so early in the clubs history is surely an achievement! (ducks)

[bluemurder]

You could argue Rangers did well to get to the final. Getting to a cup final so early in the clubs history is surely an achievement! (ducks)

that's true mate, fair play to em.

open topped bus parade to follow ??

 

are you the guy that boots off members who upset donaters ??

[Lofty.]

You could argue Rangers did well to get to the final. Getting to a cup final so early in the clubs history is surely an achievement! (ducks)

You could also argue (if you were so inclined!) that a League One side did well to dominate opposition from the Championship for most of the game.

 

I honestly didn't think Rangers were that bad. They were lacking a certain spark, it's true, badly missing David Templeton in particular.

Edited April 7, 2014 by Tommy Docherty

[bluemurder]

You could also argue (if you were so inclined!) that a League One side did well to dominate opposition from the Championship for most of the game.

 

I honestly didn't think Rangers were that bad. They were lacking a certain spark, it's true, badly missing David Templeton in particular.

yeah. I thought they played really well too, was very impressed.

[loz]

You could also argue (if you were so inclined!) that a League One side did well to dominate opposition from the Championship for most of the game.

 

I honestly didn't think Rangers were that bad. They were lacking a certain spark, it's true, badly missing David Templeton in particular.

To be honest I didn't see it.  Local had the Liverppol game on three screens and the Rangers one on a fourth (which says a lot about where Scottish football is now given that I live in the West of Scotland!)

 

Most Rangers fans I have spoken to were of the opinion they were pretty awful.  As for the counter argument  I take your point although you could also argue that a League ONe club with the second highest wage bill in Scotland isn't really a league One club at all.

 

however I was just haivng a little fun with my post!

[Benhur]

We get behind the team on Saturday and leave the rest until we either win or are out of the cup.  We are bad but our support is brilliant and we should keep that up.