The Godfather 71,874 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 RANGERS take on Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill tonight in their quarter final replay but Clark already has his eyes on the May final and believes that he and his team-mates can win it. Nicky Clark has already tasted title success - now he wants a shot at cup gllory THE stats are more impressive than the performances.It’s now 43 games on the bounce that Rangers have found the back of the net.Unbeaten in the league, a Ramsdens Cup Final looms and a Scottish Cup semi-final awaits if they can see off the mighty Albion Rovers tonight.But facts and figures alone belie a brutal truth that the Ibrox side have fallen well short when points are handed out for artistic impression.With the title already in the bag a Scottish Cup success would help shoot down the critics and Gers striker Nicky Clark didn’t lack belief when asked if they’re suitably equipped to win it.He said: “Definitely. I don’t think we would be doing well now if we didn’t have players good enough to go and win it.”But Rangers once again lacked style as they saw off a spirited Dunfermline side at Ibrox on Saturday and it said everything about the display that Clark was forced to put up a defence against the critics who are looking for more.He said: “We don’t really read the stuff you see in the Press, we just get on with it. People are going to criticise us if we don’t get the results and even if we win 6-0 or 7-0 every week.“They just expect us to batter teams but it doesn’t happen because other sides up their games when they play against us.“They put 10 men behind the ball and make it really difficult. So for us to score as many goals as we have is great. I think people forget that.“The Scottish Cup could define our season but, even without that, it’s the earliest any team has won the league in a long, long time.“We’ve also scored loads of goals and got into the Ramsdens Cup Final. But the Scottish Cup Final would be a great achievement.”It would do Dunfermline a disservice to claim they resorted to packing their defence on Saturday.For long spells in the first half Jim Jefferies’s players bossed the game and looked more fluent with a?creative sense of purpose.It was pretty one-paced and turgid from Rangers until Stevie Smith put them ahead with a stunning free-kick deep into first-half injury time.But while the Fifers were pleasing on the eye they paid a price for lacking punch in the final third.Their cause wasn’t helped when Danny Grainger picked up a second yellow card in 77 minutes and that allowed Gers to seal the win in the closing seconds. It was a moment to cherish for debutant Calum Gallagher as he rattled in a low finish after being played in by Ian Black.An air of inevitability surrounds Ibrox on League One duty but Clark was just delighted his side bounced back from last Sunday’s shocker against Albion Rovers with wins over Airdrie and the Pars.He said: “It has been a good couple of games for us after winning the league in midweek.“Last Wednesday night was unbelievable, it was a dream come true to win the league with Rangers at Ibrox.“It was a great atmosphere in front of 40,000-odd and the fans have been terrific with us all season.“It’s a massive game on Monday night and we want to get to the semi-final but it was important to win today too.“It was obvious that last Sunday we never really got going and we wanted to make amends for that. Now we are hoping to do well on Monday night in the replay.”The 22-year-old was handed a rare start against the Pars as he continues to build up his fitness after fracturing a foot at the turn of the year.And Clark said: “It was good at the start after I signed for Rangers but then I picked up a few injuries.“I was out for nine weeks there which was really disappointing but I worked hard in the gym and with the physio and feel good now.“It was good to get 90 minutes under my belt and I’ll kick on.“There are still 10 games to go so hopefully I can get back in the team and score a few more goals.”If Rangers get past the Rovers this evening there will be a step up in class when Dundee United arrive in Govan next month for the semi.Clark reckons his side won’t be favourites at Ibrox for once but is confident Ally McCoist’s men will rise to the challenge.He said: “If we get to the semi-finals I’m sure we will raise our game again, especially at Ibrox with the supporters right behind us.“It will be a great occasion. When other teams come to play us they raise it. We try to keep a 100 per cent effort every game.“But it will be different obviously if we get to the semi-final.“It would be a great occasion and this place would be bouncing. We would be right up for it.” Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bothwellbear 1,392 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Aaaaaaaaarrgh! Stop tempting fate. We could end up looking mighty stupid on this one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AljayBoy 2,298 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 If we don't win tonight the season's effectively over - we need to go as far as possible in the Scottish Cup for a number of reasons, bragging rights of course but also the knock-on effects i.e. that it increases the chances of a few youngsters getting league appearances; keeping the whole squad focussed as the season comes to an end, and encouraging the players to play well for their spot in the team sheet against Dundee Utd and (hopefully) the final itself.The Challenge Cup is ours to lose, but it's the Scottish Cup we really want! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Fantana 28,894 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 “We don’t really read the stuff you see in the Press, we just get on with it. People are going to criticise us if we don’t get the results and even if we win 6-0 or 7-0 every week."And yet Ally blamed Greens comments in the press on why the players failed to beat Forfar in the cup. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.E.C. 18,760 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKIP BEAR 370 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Really wish our players would learn to shut their mouths and do their talking on the park. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 11,453 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Did they not learn from before the first game ffs? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figo 91 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 every player playing tonight should have been given a puppy after the 1-1 draw...little time to bond and today they should have been taken away from them and told if they dont hump rovers then they better buy a snorkel if they want to see fido again.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
centenarystand 2,227 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 To be honest if anyone watched that League Cup final yesterday we have nothing to fear. Those sheep molesters are vastly over rated. We know we need to put in better performances and if we can these SPL (or whatever its called) sides left are very much there for the taking. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB 599 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Lets do our talking on the field ffs. Yes getting to the final is the goal but lets take it one match at a time. I am sure Paedophile FC were also looking forward to a final at their midden. Get fuckin past Albion Rovers first then look to skelp Dundee Hibs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Fantana 28,894 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 To be honest if anyone watched that League Cup final yesterday we have nothing to fear. Those sheep molesters are vastly over rated. We know we need to put in better performances and if we can these SPL (or whatever its called) sides left are very much there for the taking.as lacklustre as it was they moved the ball far better than our players do and they broke up play with ease. If we adopt the usual high ball to daly tactics we would get smashed on the counter attack. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemc 305 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 every player playing tonight should have been given a puppy after the 1-1 draw...little time to bond and today they should have been taken away from them and told if they dont hump rovers then they better buy a snorkel if they want to see fido again.... The rspca will be after you for that comment lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
centenarystand 2,227 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 as lacklustre as it was they moved the ball far better than our players do and they broke up play with ease. If we adopt the usual high ball to daly tactics we would get smashed on the counter attack.Totally disagree.Of course our play has been frustrating. First half against Airdrie we moved the ball well first time in a long time. Wouldnt say they broke up the play with ease i thought both sides were total dross.Of course Rangers need a performance but i reiterate absolutely nothing to fear from those left. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockwellGers 14,712 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 as lacklustre as it was they moved the ball far better than our players do and they broke up play with ease. If we adopt the usual high ball to daly tactics we would get smashed on the counter attack.This.The likes of Aberdeen are nothing special but they have a more cohesive, flowing passing game than we do. We struggle. Even against lower league sides we get outpassed. Saying we have nothing to worry about is crazy IMO.We can do it though. Still, one thing at a time eh! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather 71,874 Posted March 17, 2014 Author Share Posted March 17, 2014 Totally disagree.Of course our play has been frustrating. First half against Airdrie we moved the ball well first time in a long time. Wouldnt say they broke up the play with ease i thought both sides were total dross.Of course Rangers need a performance but i reiterate absolutely nothing to fear from those left.Rubbish.A half decent team would thump us. We will soon see though Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockwellGers 14,712 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Totally disagree.Of course our play has been frustrating. First half against Airdrie we moved the ball well first time in a long time. Wouldnt say they broke up the play with ease i thought both sides were total dross.Of course Rangers need a performance but i reiterate absolutely nothing to fear from those left.I absolutely did not think we moved the ball well. The passing was bad Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneDavidCooper 2,505 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Hate interviews like that.Let the football do the talking. Clark was anonymous last time out so he should be focusing on the here and now not May Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneDavidCooper 2,505 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 I absolutely did not think we moved the ball well. The passing was badMe neither. T'was awful fare Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
weshallnotbemoved! 714 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 every player playing tonight should have been given a puppy after the 1-1 draw...little time to bond and today they should have been taken away from them and told if they dont hump rovers then they better buy a snorkel if they want to see fido again.... Harsh and twisted.Fuck being one of your kids. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockwellGers 14,712 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Me neither. T'was awful fareThing is mate I always try to see the positives, but it was infuriating watching us struggle to link up and give the ball away time after time Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockwellGers 14,712 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Fuck being one of your kids.What are the other ones called? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy millar 107 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 As usual,The Record has got it totally wrong again.At least two of their "journalists" are telling us that the game tonight is at Cliftonhill.NEW DOUGLAS PARK!!! Numpties. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
centenarystand 2,227 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Rubbish.A half decent team would thump us. We will soon see thoughDont see this happening but after tonight one of us will wrong. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephants stoned 2,994 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Keep it calm and not talking about winning it yet, if we get to the final that's the time to talk about winning the cup, we only look silly if we fuck up either tonight or more likely against DH. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
1st_Jan_1994 4,868 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 “We don’t really read the stuff you see in the Press, we just get on with it. People are going to criticise us if we don’t get the results and even if we win 6-0 or 7-0 every week."And yet Ally blamed Greens comments in the press on why the players failed to beat Forfar in the cup.Well spotted And the article itself wish our players would stfu Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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