Bazza 21 Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 Rangers 3 vs. 0 St Johnstone Written by Bazza Saturday, 12 December 2009 Rangers 3 : 0 St Johnstone With the Champions League now a distant memory, Walter and the troops have one goal and one goal only. Retain the SPL. The bread and butter of League football was back on the cards with the visit of St Johnstone and Rangers had problems to overcome in selection. Whitakers time had to be at an end as his loss of form and confidence was becoming a major target for opposition manner and it was ideal timing therefore that Broadfoot was back to full fitness and back in the starting line up. The central midfield failings also so McCulloch drop to the bench with Davis moving inside and two quick wide players introduced. The attacking line up paid dividends as quickly as the first minute and who else could bury the chance but Kris Boyd. It was an open first half with Rangers pushing forward at every opportunity and it was the 27th minute that saw Novo through on goal and brought down by Graeme Smith for a penalty. That allowed Boyd to slot home and. get within 5 of the SPL record. The second half was pretty much one way traffic and had Boyd managed to time his running a bit better then he could really have had a hatful. As it was it was Novo who grabbed the third after good work by Miller saw his shot saved and fall at the feet of the Spaniard. Rangers maybe should have scored more and you could argue that if they had spent less time trying to set up Boyd, they may well have done so. As it was the three nil had to suffice and puts a positive light over the team before the tricky trip to Tannadice on Tuesday. RM’s verdict: Alexander – 6 It remains our one position of real strength. When you can replace McGregor with Alexander your in a good position. Had a couple of decent saves to make in the first half that gave him some early confidence. Broadfoot– 7 Never looked like he’d been away. Nothing spectacular but certainly a lot more solid in that Right Back position. Bougherra - 7 Settling back down again but not for long. His trademark forward drives give the whole team some impetus. Weir – 6 Solid, and not looking overly concerned about the number of games played. Papac – 6 The Papac delivers consistently capable performances and today was no exception. Got forward to support as well. Novo – 8 Typified the Rangers performance with good energy and drive. Topped a fine afternoon with a goal. Davis– 7 Always looks better in the middle of the park with creative spark and drive. The whole team had an attacking look to it. Thomson – 7 Starting to do the basics a lot better. Kept the ball well and passed it around. Rested after 60 minutes before the trip to Tannadice on Tuesday. Beasley – 7 His pace was a big problem for St Johnstone and on that form he is deserving of a place in the side. Needs to find that consistently though. Miller – 7 Good running power and caused big problems in behind the defensive line. The perfect foil for Boyd. Boyd – 7 He really should have had a hat trick but couldn’t manage to keep himself onside. Within 5 now of Larsson’s record. Subs – McCulloch - 3 Came on to allow Thomson to take a break. Fleck - 3 Another 20 minute stint and tried to get on the score sheet. Lafferty - 3 Tried hard to set up his strike partner. Rangers: Alexander, Weir, Papac, Broadfoot, Bougherra, Davis, Thomson (McCulloch 61), Novo, Beasley (Fleck 73), Boyd, Miller (Lafferty 78). Subs: Gallacher, Whittaker, Wilson, McCulloch, Lafferty, Fleck, Little. Goals: Boyd 1, 27, Novo 51 Booked: St Johnstone: Smith, Grainger, MacKay, Gartland, Anderson, Morris, Millar, Moon, Davidson, Morais (Swankie 68), Johansson (Deuchar 58). Subs: Main, Irvine, Craig, Swankie, May, Durnan, Deuchar. Goals: Booked: Att: 44,662 Ref: McDonald Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy WATP 86 Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 Novo was never an 8 , Beasley deserves MOTM , either him or Davis who controlled the midfield Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipedown27ready 108 Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 Novo was never an 8. Beasley was the best player on the park. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlander05 53 Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 Beasley for MOTM, can't say he played well and that he needs to find consistency and not say the same about Novo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muff 245 Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 Thought Beasley, Thomson and Davis deserve higher marks. Was not impressed with any of the subs, McCulloch especially - the midfield and balance of the team fell apart. A waste of space. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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