SCORELINE FLATTERS RANGERS

Sep 5 2007 Dumfries & Galloway Standard

RANGERS were flattered by a final scoreline at Ibrox that suggested a rout but was nothing of the sort.

Gretna gave as good as they got for long periods and it was not until the final 10 minutes that Rangers sealed the victory.

The home fans came in anticipation of a one-sided match after seeing their team clinch a Champions League place in midweek.

But Gretna showed they have learned lessons since stepping into the top flight and were unfortunate to be a goal down at half time due to a deflected shot from Kris Boyd.

Gretna were without the suspended Craig Barr and Davie Irons reshaped his team with Aurelien Collin, Chris Innes, Paul Murray and Nicky Deverdics all coming in.

There was nothing to choose between the teams in the first half as the Gretna defence kept goalkeeper Greg Fleming well protected.

Fabien Yantorno showed in flashes what he is capable of as Gretna threatened on occasion but Allan McGregor was not much busier than Fleming.

Daniel Cousin came close with a header for Rangers early on but, much to their fans’ frustration, Rangers failed to build on it.

If anything Gretna had the better chances with Murray threatening with a volley in the first half and Alan Hutton producing a great saving tackle to prevent Yantorno doing serious damage.

Gretna were well organised and closed down space quickly in midfield but too often their final pass let them down.

It was Rangers who made the important breakthrough seven minutes from half-time. Barry Ferguson rolled a short free-kick to Boyd and his shot beat Fleming with the aid of a deflection off Abdul Osman.

It was a wounding blow for Gretna coming so soon before half-time but they did not let it shake them from their task.

Yantorno had a couple of decent efforts saved by McGregor after half-time as Gretna suggested they could still take something from the match.

The Ibrox faithful were becoming increasingly restless at the failure of their team to create anything and there were some nervous moments in the home defence.

But Rangers were always capable of creating chances. Ferguson headed wide when he should have done much better from Hutton’s cross.

Rangers finally managed a second after 63 minutes. Andy Webster powered a header in off the underside of the crossbar after a terrific cross from DaMarcus Beasley.

The goal eased Rangers’ worries and Gretna wilted in the closing stages as they tried to keep the league leaders at bay.

Jean-Claude Darcheville made a difference when he came on and Walter Smith also had the chance to give Stevie Naismith a debut following his deadline-busting move from Kilmarnock.

It was 3-0 after 81 minutes when Carlos Cuellar headed the ball into the top corner of the net to leave Fleming with no chance from a Ferguson free-kick.

Darcheville, who took the chance to prove he should have been in the starting line-up, then gave Rangers their inflated final scoreline when he burst clear and his cross was deflected into his own goal by Collin.

It summed up Gretna’s day but Irons will have taken heart from the first hour where Gretna showed they can live with the best.

But, as was the case at Easter Road earlier in the season, the SPL newcomers sagged in the late stages and it is something Irons has to address.

Rangers: McGregor; Hutton, Webster, Cuellar, Papac, Whittaker, Ferguson, Thomson, Beasley (Naismith 83), Boyd (Novo 76), Cousin (Darcheville 68).

Subs Not Used: Carroll, McCulloch, Shinnie, Fleck.

Gretna: Fleming; Cowan, Collin, Innes, Skelton, Jenkins (McLaren 76), Murray, Osman (Paartalu 86), Deverdics (Buscher 68), Yantorno, McMenamin.

Subs Not Used: Mathieson, Grainger, Graham, Hogg.

Referee: M Tumilty

Attendance:49,689