St.Mirren 0-0 Rangers

 

Rangers treble dream remains intact after a dour goalless draw in Paisley. It certainly wasn’t a classic and I almost wish I hadn’t interrupted my nightshift sleep to watch it.

Cup manager Ally McCoist made 4 changes to the side which reached the CIS final during the week. Allan McGregor replaced Neil Alexander in goal, Kirk Broadfoot and Madjid Bougherra returned in defence while Steven Naismith was rewarded with a rare start after impressing from the bench on Wednesday night. Lee McCulloch was given the armband in the absence of the suspended Davie Weir.

St Mirren employed the same tactics as the recent League game with long balls to Mehmet and Higden with limited success. A lovely counter attack from Rangers saw Kyle Lafferty nearly convert a Davis cross. The home side had a few efforts on goal without really troubling McGregor while at the other end Rangers best effort was a Steve Davis header which was turned away by Paul Gallacher.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first with the aerial route causing some problems for the Rangers defence. Bougherra came to our rescue twice in quick succession, firstly clearing a Higdon header, and then clearing the same players lob off the line. Rangers made a double change just after the hour with a welcome return to action for Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller in place of the ineffectual Lafferty and Naismith. However the changes made little difference as Rangers still struggled to create. Referee Brines turned down a penalty claim when Whittaker went down in the box, but it probably was the correct decision. Saints substitute Craig Dargo then forced McGregor to a near post save as the game drifted towards a replay.

Apologies for a rather dull report, but there was precious little excitement to report. The lack of width was sadly missing for Rangers, but we’ll surely be confident of seeing off the Buddies in the Ibrox replay.

TEAM: (4-4-2): McGregor, Broadfoot, Bougherra, Wilson, Smith, Davis, McCulloch, Thomson, Whittaker, Naismith (Miller), Lafferty (Boyd). Subs not used: Alexander, Novo, Little

MOTM: God knows, no outstanding candidates. At a push I’ll give it to Lee McCulloch.