As expected, Hampden was not by any means a full house and many fans had a chuckle at the sole supporter wandering the otherwise empty East Stand on his own. With most fans gathering in the North and South Stands, the West had intermittent empty pockets surrounding the barricade of Union Bears who, to their credit, were out in full force from the first minute. The Rangers line up had some much-needed alterations to spark some interest in the few fans in attendance, most notably Danillo making his long awaited return to competitive football. The team also had Dowell partnering Sterling in the midfield, allowing Diomande the freedom of the No. 10 role, and a fresh look to the left-hand side as Rabbi Matondo started in front of Jefte who came in at left back for the injured Ridvan.
The opening exchanges saw both sides struggle to find their rhythm, despite snippets of each game plan shining through. St Johnstone would explore the long ball and try to pick up the second ball, which they got some success with down the Rangers right, whereas Rangers would look to force the ball to either wing to allow full backs and wingers to interlink with one another. In the first half, Rangers’ main threat came from their left hand side as Jefte & Matondo both utilised their pace to press the team forward, with the former constantly attempting the overlap.
While Rangers managed to get the ball moved forward through the wings time and time again, the age-old issue of poor end product remained and chance after chance passed by without a goal conversion. While Danillo found himself in the right place at the right time, he’ll be disappointed with the quality of opportunities his team mates created for him from the wings. Cuts backs from Jefte on the 22nd & 26th minutes were mate with shots well over the bar and a golden chance on the 29th minute was also wasted as the keeper parried Cerny’s shot right to the Brazilian’s feet in the penalty box, only for the shot to go wide.
The aforementioned Cerny also found himself in several dangerous positions, as did James Tavernier behind him, but the pair couldn’t seem to find the right end product or match the energy levels of their counterparts on the left-hand side. It was also down the Rangers right were St Johnstone would almost find their joy. Benjamin Kimpioka and Andre Raymond used their pace and power to pick up the loose balls and push the Rangers defence back, which looked like it would eventually come off with several misplaced passes in the opening 20 minutes from Tavernier, Souttar and even Butland!
The chance of the half came in the 41st minute though as Kimpioka breaks away on the counter from a wasted Rangers corner before finding Graham Carey with the switch. the midfielder then finds Matt Smith with a cross at the front post who can only hit the post and allow Rangers a fright rather than conceding a goal.
By the time the second half begins we see Cyriel Dessers replace Danillo, Rangers’ second change after Robin Propper was forced off with pain in his groin and replaced by Ben Davies. Rangers best chance of goal continues to come from the left hand side, and we begin to see Rabbi Matondo picking the ball up out wide and driving inside, allowing both Jefte and Diomande to run into space. While Matondo used the first couple of opportunities to get his own shot away, on the 58th minute he picks the pass that sparks life into the game.
Picking up a loose ball as St Johnstone’s breakaway fails, the Welsh winger turns and drives forward and plays a perfectly weighted through ball to Cyriel Dessers who calmly drags the ball back from the on running Neilson before touching it past Jack Sanders. After creating the space away from the two centre halves, he fires his shot past Josh Rae’s right-hand side to put Rangers ahead.
The controversy then begins. Mathhew McDairmid calls for a foul despite Desser’s bemusement and after a few minutes is eventually called to VAR. The referee correctly seen the contact between Dessers and Neilson but overruled his initial thoughts that Dessers had fouled the defender, calling that the opposite had happened and that the goal stands.
With Rangers now a goal ahead and having Connor Barron replacing the anonymous Kieran Dowell, the home team now had a lease of life missing for the majority of the opening 60 minutes. Barron’s energy across the midfield allowed the ball to be spread left to right much quicker and Rangers began using both wings even more intensely, as well as releasing Diomande who would look to get beyond Dessers at every opportunity trait we’ve craved from the advanced midfield role.
A single goal lead will always give the nervousness that the game isn’t done and dusted, and St Johnstone’s certainly came close in the last 20 minutes. Graham Carey picked up a poor clearance from Jack Butland and took a chance from the half way line as the keeper sprinted back towards goal, only for the shot to go wide. In the dying minutes Cyriel Dessers tries to clear a deep cross into the penalty box after a failed St Johnstone free kick, only to miss it completely allowing Sidibeh at the back post, but luckily again for Rangers, a shot gone wide.
Robbie Fraser & Ross McCausland had replaced Rabbi Matondo & Vaclav Cerny in the 82nd minute to maintain the energy levels on either flank, and eventually the latter would go on to kill the game off with Rangers second goal. In the brief appearance, McCausland managed to create a few chances with some clever, quick link up play with James Tavernier & Sterling, with the young winger getting his chance to shoot from wide right by failing to trouble the keeper. It was third time lucky with the move, however, as McCausland looks to play the one-two with Dessers and runs beyond the Nigerian into space. While Dessers might claim it was all in the plan, the striker looks to mis-control the ball despite it going through to McCausland who cooly slots it home.
Through to the last 16 and a much needed win under their belts to bounce back from Tuesday night, the Rangers players and staff make a point to applaud the Union Bears at full time to show their appreciation. That point was echoed again by Philippe Clement post match as he explained the team had planned to show their gratitude, and hinted that this is their way of showing the Rangers Support that they’re together with them in the fight back.pass that sparks life into the game.
