JOB DONE WITH MINIMAL FUSS FOR RANGERS
It may not have developed into the rout that some had predicted but victory was straightforward for Rangers. The cup shock was never on the cards as Steven Gerrard’s side cruised into the fifth round.
The first goal of the night had been a long time coming for Rangers as Stranraer’s resistance – the visitors had defended resolutely in numbers - was broken just before the break.
It was all one-way traffic as Rangers surged forward time after time and a handful of chances went unconverted. When Scott Arfield slotted home from inside the area, any chance of an upset was gone.
Jermain Defoe made it 2-0 as he won a penalty and then converted it and that was his job done for the night as he was replaced seconds later.
From then, it was a case of game management for Rangers and Gerrard was able to hand youngster Kai Kennedy his competitive bow off the bench.
NATHAN PATTERSON DIDN’T LOOK OUT OF PLACE
The right-back has been tipped for a bright future at Ibrox for some time and he has come to the fore in recent months. After starting against Tashkent in Dubai last weekend, Patterson was handed his competitive debut here as he replaced captain James Tavernier in the starting line-up.
With the Ibrox skipper set to miss a couple of games with an appendix issue, the chance is there for Patterson to get an extended run. Time will tell if Gerrard opts for the experience of Jon Flanagan against St Mirren and Hearts, though.
Even if Patterson doesn’t get his Premiership debut, he can still be pleased with his efforts here. A rash challenge earned him a booking after the break but he was assured on the ball and positive in attack as he made an encouraging impression on the Ibrox crowd.
BUT JORDAN JONES FAILED TO GRAB HIS CHANCE
This was the winger’s first outing since being sent off here against Celtic in September and Jones returned to action with a point to prove. He didn’t make the most of this opportunity, though, and won’t have done his chances of a start against St Mirren much good.
Boss Gerrard has urged him to show what he can do and put his red card – and self-inflicted knee injury that kept him out for four months – behind him. But the Northern Irishman didn’t offer enough of a threat and was virtually non-existent in the first half.
By the hour mark, Gerrard had seen enough and Brandon Barker took over on the left. Jones could have no complaints about his early exit.
GERS FANS TURN OUT IN THEIR NUMBERS
The winter break has given Gerrard and his players a chance to recharge after a hectic first half of the campaign but supporters have been longing for the return to action for some time.
The temperature may have plummeted on a chilly Glasgow night but just shy of 39,000 ventured out to watch their side in action for the first time in 2020. For a game that was live on the TV, it was some effort from the Light Blue legions.
It wasn’t unexpected, right enough, and it is proof of the excitement amongst the support as they fully get behind Gerrard and his squad for what they hope will be a successful second half of the season.
IBROX REMEMBERED A LEGEND
The first home game of the New Year is always a sombre affair as supporters remember those that lost their lives in the Ibrox Disaster. And there was another reason for the crowd to pause for reflection here as Rangers paid tribute to Bobby Brown.
The former keeper passed away at the age of 96 this week and a silence was held pre-match – with the ‘Absent Friends’ banner unfurled in the Broomloan Stand – to remember a gentleman and one of the great figures in Scottish football history.
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