There will be bigger midweek nights at Ibrox to come over the next few months, but Rangers did the job and eased into the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup with a 3-1 win over Queen of the South.
Teenager Robbie Ure was handed his top team debut from the start. The striker was the first to have a pop at goal after two-and-a-half minutes, but his powerful effort was narrowly wide of goal. The youngster took just over 8 minutes to open his account. He showed good instincts in the box to gobble up just his second chance of the game, firing beyond Max Currie to ensure there was no time for any nerves to develop for the hosts.
Or so everyone thought. Queens woke up after going behind and got themselves back on level terms. A mistake from Fashion Sakala was punished in style as Lee Connelly sent a wonderful chip over the returning Allan McGregor to send the small band of Doonhamers at the other end wild.
Parity didn’t last very long though. Good skill from Ridvan Yilmaz got him away from Ruri Paton. He pulled the ball back for the arriving Scott Arfield, who finished low past Currie into the far corner.
Sakala was denied Rangers’ third after Adam Devine got to the byline and cut the ball back for Arfield. This time, he tried to take a touch and the ball was taken off his two. Ir tan for Sakala though, and his effort took a touch off Euan Easton to divert it wide of the post.
Queens put together their best move of the match just after the hour. Connelly released Kieran McKenna down the right and sent a wicked low delivery into the six yard box. Adam Devine had a swipe at it and was relieved to see the ball go over his own bar rather than into the back of the net.
A swift Rangers break then should have resulted in Ure’s second and Rangers’ third. Matondo showed great pace to get into the box and tee him up, and only a vital intervention from McKenna prevented Ure scoring.
Arfield also went close to a second. After an initial effort didn't come off, he showed good composure to connect with a volley that was inches wide of the far post.
The game looked to be petering out when Rangers added a third. A lovely, flowing move in which Charlie McCann’s back heel caught the eye ended with Arfield finally putting the game beyond Queens with another smart finish.
Ure alright, kid
Making your first senior start up front would be memorable enough. But Robbie Ure made it even more special by grabbing his first Rangers top team goal in less than nine minutes.
The front man was in the right place at the right time and did the necessary to fire the hosts in front. He was unlucky not to score again after the break and was only denied by some good defending.
He still has a lot to learn and won’t be usurping Antonio Colak just yet. But he’s shown to Giovanni van Bronckhorst that he can be relied upon when the circumstances are right and could see more game time in this competition.
McGregor’s cup status
It wasn't clear who was going to be Rangers number one when McGregor penned a one-year contract extension in the summer. Until this season, he’d been first choice with Jon McLaughlin the designated cup keeper.
Those roles have now very much been reversed. McGregor could do nothing about Connelly’s excellent equaliser but wasn’t really tested otherwise on a straightforward night for the veteran keeper.
But Rangers going deep in both cup competitions looks to be his best bet of regular game time in what will surely be his swansong season at Ibrox.
Arfield at the double
Another who was handed an extra year in the summer. He’s been in and out under van Bronckhorst so far this season, but can clearly still contribute.
He bagged a brace but could have had more given the amount of attempts he had at goal. Never lets Rangers down when he’s called upon and that year’s extension already looks justified. He’ll play a more significant part as the season goes on but his experience and willingness to take responsibility are valuable on nights like this.
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