Team News: Four Changes For Rangers

 

RANGERS make one change today from last week's 6-1 win over Raith Rovers and four from their win at East Fife in the Challenge Cup on Tuesday.

Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd retain their places up front in the League ahead of Nicky Clark and Jon Daly, three of whom scored in that rout against Raith.

Daly scored another goal in the week in the Light Blues Challenge Cup clash with East Fife, to add to his brace against last weekend.

Miller returned to the side after 6 weeks out and made an impressive impact on the side against Raith.

He and Boyd linked up to provide each other with a goal a piece in the second half and were substituted to a rapturous applause from the Ibrox faithful.

Steven Smith comes into the side to replace the injured Ian Black who misses out after his free kick secured Gers 2-0 Cup victory in midweek.

RANGERS: Simonsen, Foster, McGregor, Wallace, McCulloch, Law, Aird, Macleod, Smith, Miller, Boyd.
SUBS: Robinson, Clark, Templeton, Daly, Faure, Smith, Shiels, Hutton.

Dumbarton 0 - 3 Rangers



ON a dark and dreary afternoon in Dumbarton it was Rangers who shone the brightest as they ran out comfortable 3-0 winner at the Bet Butler Stadium.

After missing an early penalty Gers went on to dominate the game as they opened the scoring just a couple minutes later through Kenny Miller. The experienced forward has brought a spark to the front line since his return from injury last weekend against Raith Rovers.

Two goals in the second half cushioned Rangers lead, with an impressive display from Lee Wallace creating his own goal before Kris Boyd added to his tally for the second league game in a row.

The first half started with a theme that was to run throughout the first 45 minutes. Wallace was fed from the left by Steve Smith, who looked dangerous down the left throughout. Wallace turned in the box but fired the ball just wide of the left upright.

With eight minutes gone it was service from the right that opened up the Dumbarton defence –Richard Foster placed a ball across the face of goal for Fraser Aird to put a ball back into the area when it reached him on the left on the six yard box. His cross some shot was blocked by Lee Mair, his block falling to Nicky Law who fired over from just yards out.

Rangers were upping the pressure and two minutes later Kenny Miller whipped a dangerous looking ball into the far post. It nearly alluded Danny Rodgers but there was no Rangers player quick enough into the box to meet it.

Dumbarton had a handful of chances as 15 minutes ticked by on the clock. Garry Fleming has a weak shot on the edge of the area and it bounced past Simonsen’s right post. Mitch Megginson puts a similar ball into the area from the left as Miller had done for Rangers but as with Rangers no Dumbarton players were onrushing to reach it.

With 22  minutes played a mess up in the Rangers back line by McCulloch caused him to gift Delhaney who cut the ball back to Nash but he slipped and let the chance pass him by.

A minute later the game was to turn as Wallace was brought down in the box by Van Zanten and the referee pointed to the spot. Lee McCulloch subsequent penalty was saved by Rodgers down to his left.

But just two minutes after that miss Smith curled a ball in from the left which Boyd missed at the near post, Miller didn’t make the same mistake and poked the ball home at the far post to make it 1-0 after all and make his tally three for the season.

Smith was at it again with 39 minutes gone as he whipped another ball in from the left channel. Boyd rose highest in the six yard box to meet it but he couldn’t put his effort on target as he watched it fly past the upright.

Smith created another two similar chances in the five minutes before half time. First for McCulloch who angled his header just wide in front of an open goal and then again for Aird who headed over.

Rangers started the second period brightly with Miller and Boyd combining on the edge of the area, Miller cutting the ball across the box for the arriving Boyd but the striker could only fire over from seven yards out.

The strike duo joined up well again on 54 minutes with Boyd threading a ball through to Miller as they broke on the counter attack. With the keeper to beat Miller couldn’t lift the ball over Rodgers and in a scramble the ball was claimed by the Dumbarton stopper.

Dumbarton also threatened early in the second half as they played a couple of dangerous balls into Gers box.

The Light Blues had been threatening and with an hour gone Rangers made it 2-0 with some pretty play down the left between Wallace and Miller. The full back stormed down the channel and played a quick one two with Miller to then take the shot himself powering the ball into the bottom corner beyond the outstretched Rodgers.

Smith turned provider once again as Rangers took a three goal lead with 72 minutes gone. Boyd rose high at the near post to head the cross home from the left and make it two goals in two league games. The striker had been struggling for league goals and after looking to the sky after his first goal in five games against Raith it seems his prayers are being answered.

And just five minutes from time Wallace had a chance to give himself another for the afternoon with a free kick on the left but his powerful shot from 25 yards out was straight at Rogers.

Rangers: Simonsen, Foster, McGregor, Wallace, McCulloch, Law, Aird, Macleod, Smith (Templeton 76â€), Miller (Clark 84â€), Boyd (Daly 80â€).
Subs: Robinson, Faure, Shiels, Hutton
Goals: Miller (26â€), Wallace (60â€), Boyd (72â€)
 
Dumbarton: Rogers, Van Zanten (Campbell 67â€), Linton, Graham, Mair, Gilhaney, Agnew, Nish, Megginson (Turner 78â€), Kirkpatrick (MacDonald 34â€), Fleming.
Subs: Ewings, McLaughlin, McDougall.
Yellows: Fleming (41â€), Van Zanten (42â€)
 

these match reports are great - thanks for posting them for us

No problem.

the only thing more gutting than Heart's injury time equaliser today was United's injury time equaliser - ruined my afternoon