Rm Match Report

[Bazza 21]

Falkirk 1 vs. 3 Rangers

Written by Bazza

Saturday, 05 December 2009

Falkirk 1 : 3 Rangers

With so much going on in the background at the club it was very refreshing to get back to a game of football. The in fighting, the outfighting, the takeovers and the political movings all could get shoved to the side for the moment where all Rangers fans stand shoulder to shoulder in a common goal of getting three points.

Walter must also be relieved to see match days come around just now but it brings its own problems. Should Bougherra start, who to play in central midfield, the winger problems and should the youngsters be introduced.? Well in answer to those questions, the team sheet showed a recall for Boogie, Novo to play on the wing, Thommo to come back into the midfield and the youngsters had to be happy with a place on the bench. Experience to drag us out of our slumber? We were soon to find out.

The game started quickly with Falkirk claiming the midfield battle but it was the final third where Rangers were at their clinical best with Boyd notching goals number 150 and 151 with assists from firstly Bougherra and then Miller to put Rangers into the driving seat. Falkirk did get a goal back though as Rangers, who looked weak at the back and had had to rely on McGregor, conceded a sloppy goal from a corner.

The second half saw Rangers go into counter attacking mode and it became more of a scrappy affair. The third goal killed the game off completely and it was Boyd, rather than Falkirk, who had more reason to be unhappy as he was taken off just moments before Beasley won the penalty that could have sealed his hat trick. As it was, Miller stepped up and thumped the ball home to secure all three points in what was a must win game.

The AGM was never going to be a comfortable affair but it want be just as bad as it could have been on the back of another defeat. Lets hope that it allows for the more important aspects of the current situation to be talked about.

RM’s verdict:

McGregor – 7 Saved Rangers on more than one occasion today with quick movement off his line. Had no chance to save the Falkirk goal.

Whittaker – 5 Still not showing signs of confidence and never really posed a threat down the right.

Bougherra - 6 Didn’t look just the confident figure he was the last time he pulled on the Rangers Jersey. Typical assist though in a driving run that set up Boyd’s opener.

Weir – 5 Celebrating a century of appearances but didn’t mar it in style. Struggle at the let of the back two today as the pace of Falkirk caused him problems.

Papac – 5 Arrant touches from the left back today that led us into problems. Matched the shakiness of the rest of the back line.

Davis – 8 The creative spark that led to most of our decent attacking moves. Rangers needed a touch of quality in the middle of the park and he provided.

McCulloch – 4 Struggled all game to keep up with the pace and passing of the Falkirk midfield. He gives his all for the Rangers, he’s just not up to the task.

Thomson – 5 Showed glimpses of the Thomson of old but needs to eradicate the silly mistakes. Gives us a bit more set piece quality as well.

Novo – 5 Gave us the pace as opposed to the guile of Davis on the other flank. A point blank effort from Thomson’s free kick could have tied up the game earlier.

Miller – 6 Full of running in the game and probably deserved his goal, albeit from the spot. Was wasteful at times in possession and sublime at others.

Boyd – 8 Good to see him back on goal scoring form and breaking the 150 barrier. He was excellent in the first half with his passing and work rate but succumbed to a slight knock in the second.

Subs –

Beasley – 5 Good to se a decent cameo from the American even if it is just to up his sellable value come January.

Lafferty - 4 Needs some decent performances badly. Was denied a goal by a great save.

Fleck - 3 Given a ten minute run out to help see the game out.

Rangers: McGregor, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, McCulloch, Davis, Thomson, Bougherra, Boyd (Lafferty 71), Novo (Beasley 62), Miller (Fleck 80).

Subs: Alexander, Smith, Wilson, Beasley, Lafferty, Fleck, Little.

Goals: Boyd 16 36, Miller 73

Booked: Boyd, Whittaker

Falkirk: Olejnik, Barr, McLean, Allison, Pele (McDonald 58), Arfield, Flynn, Mitchell, Lima, Moutinho (Marceta 78), Finnegan (Bullen 68).

Subs: Wagenaar, Bullen, Twaddle, MacDonald, Murdoch, Danijel Marceta, Finnbogason.

Goals: Moutinho 41

Booked: McLean, Mitchell

Att: 6,903

Ref: Collum

[Gaz52 11,837]

[mccoist355 4]

Bougherra - 6 Didn’t look just the confident figure

Don't agree with this mate - Bougherra drove forward more than thomson and mcculloch, and looked rock solid at the back.

8 for the big man IMO.

[Davie2909 21]

Bougherra - 6 Didn’t look just the confident figure

Don't agree with this mate - Bougherra drove forward more than thomson and mcculloch, and looked rock solid at the back.

8 for the big man IMO.

Totally agree the big man should have been given 7 or 8 not a 6

[TexasGers 96]

DMB looked good when he came on, miles better than Novo, who I thought had an off day

[mccoist355 4]

DMB looked good when he came on, miles better than Novo, who I thought had an off day

Was pleasantly surprised by DMB - but would you trust him with a start in a big game? Hmmmm... not sure.

Was strangely odd to see a Rangers player looking dangerous in a wide position.

[Davie2909 21]

DMB looked good when he came on, miles better than Novo, who I thought had an off day

Was pleasantly surprised by DMB - but would you trust him with a start in a big game? Hmmmm... not sure.

Was strangely odd to see a Rangers player looking dangerous in a wide position.

Yeah he looked decent today and was trying to get on the ball this was a massive change from the last time i saw him against Dundee he was terrible.

[Muff 245]

McGregor - 7

Whittaker - 4

Weir - 5

Bougherra - 7

Papac - 5

McCulloch - 3

Thomson - 6

Davis - 7

Novo - 1

Miller - 6

Boyd - 7

Beasley - 7

Lafferty - 5

Fleck - 5

A win's a win, but I thought we were dreadful in the 1st half. The defence were all over the place, and the midfield was non-existant.

Poor for spell's of the 2nd half, and only looked comfortable once Miller had bagged our third.

Little/no, pace, width, balance at times. No-one to put their foot on the ball, little support for long spells, 2nd best, lacking creativity, organistaion....

Must do better, but the main thing was the 3 points.

[Amac9 2,060]

McGregor - 7

Whittaker - 5

Bougherra - 7

Weir - 6

Papac - 5

Davis - 8

Thomson - 6

McCulloch - 4

Novo - 5

Miller - 6

Boyd - 7

Beasley - 6

Lafferty - 4

Fleck - 4

Steven Davis MOTM.