Rangers 2-0 Hamilton (A.E.T)

Rangers huffed and puffed for over 90 minutes, but eventually a Steven Whittaker double in extra time finally blew down the Accies resistance. Rangers should have won the match comfortably in normal time, but a combination of great goalkeeping, bad finishing, and the woodwork frustrated the smallest crowd that Ibrox has seen this season (21,856). A watching Kris Boyd would surely have filled his boots tonight with the chances created.

There were 3 changes to Saturdays line up, with Kenny Miller, Lee McCulloch and John Fleck starting in place of Broadfoot, Edu and the ill Kyle Lafferty. There was also a change in formation with Miller as the lone striker, and Fleck, Davis and Novo in behind him in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Hamilton keeper Cerny was called into action early, parrying a Kenny Miller effort. Miller then had a good penalty shout when he was barged off the ball by an Accies defender. However Charlie Richmond waved away the claim. This was another bizarre display by Richmond and his stand side linesman who angered both teams with his decisions throughout the match. Cerny then made 2 more fine saves, firstly after a Papac mazy run, and then a Miller header. Kenny Miller then proceeded to hit the crossbar twice before halftime. In between Steven Whittaker was booked for diving in the penalty area, though replays showed there was some contact.

The second half continued the same way as the first, with Rangers contriving to miss chance after chance, and the Accies occasionally threatening on the break. Cerny again denying Miller on a couple of occasions as the game went to an unwelcome extra 30 minutes.

It only took Rangers 5 minutes to break down the visibly tiring visitors. Cerny was stranded as a Miller shot deflected over him, and Steven Whittaker knocked it home just before it crossed the line. There was no doubt about his second goal though, as he cut inside the full back and lashed a shot into the top corner on 99 minutes to finally kill off Hamilton. There was one late injury concern for Rangers as Kenny Miller limped off with what looked like a hamstring injury. Fingers crossed it isn’t serious.

Team: (4-2-3-1) McGregor, Whittaker, Weir, Wilson, Papac, McCulloch (Edu), Thomson (Broadfoot), Novo (Little), Davis, Fleck, Miller. Subs not used: Alexander, Smith

Booked: Whittaker, Weir, McCulloch

MOTM: Both Whittaker and Papac had fine games, but my vote goes to the excellent Steven Davis.

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