Rangers had to once again come from behind under Michael Beale to avoid a huge Scottish Cup shock in a crazy Ibrox clash.
The Light Blues went in a goal down at the break after Kevin Holt fired past Allan McGregor from the penalty spot following a VAR review penalised Antonio Colak for handball. The decision was branded 'mind boggling' from pundits Alan Hutton and Marvin Bartley in the studio but the Jags didn't care as they silenced Ibrox in an excellent all round display from Ian McCall's men in the opening period as they went toe to toe with the holders.
Beale made two half-time changes and whatever he said at the interval sparked life into his team with Colak levelling up the tie just five minutes into the second period. James Tavernier then had a golden chance to net from 12-yards after Malik Tillman was fouled but Jamie Sneddon stood big and denied the skipper, who smashed his effort down the middle. The USA international then fired the hosts ahead that sparked fury at Ibrox. The outcome was a Thistle leveller as Beale appeared to instruct his side to allow the Jags to run through and level. But the holders managed to squeeze through with Conor McAvoy netting an own goal with just five minutes to play. Here's three things we learned.
READ MORE: Michael Beale allows Partick Thistle free goal vs Rangers after Malik Tillman Ibrox drama
Too many changes
Michael Beale made seven changes in all as many first-team stars got the chance to impress.
Antonio Colak was in from the start for Alfredo Morelos after a lengthy spell out while Ianis Hagi also got the nod from the start.
James Sands landed a rare chance to impress under the new boss with seven changes made in all from the win over Ross County.
Allan McGregor, Glen Kamara and Malik Tillman also came in as did Nicolas Raskin for a first start.
It showed in the first half with no real fluency to Rangers' play with things looking very pedestrian.
Two changes at the break with Ryan Kent and Kemar Roofe at half time seemed to settle things down with the home side squeezing through in another five-goal thriller.
VAR watch
Partick Thistle were awarded a penalty following a VAR review for a handball against Antonio Colak.
The commentary team and pundits all believed it should not have been awarded.
But following an on field review it was given and Kevin Holt slotted home.
Alan Hutton and Marvin Bartley both in the Viaplay studio were left baffled by the call.
Rangers also were awarded a penalty that was reviewed for foul on Malik Tillman that appeared to look outside the box.
Not the first or last time we will see this sort of talking point come to the fore.
Huge warning
Rangers just about managed to hold onto their grip of the Scottish Cup after a real warning from Partick Thistle.
A controversial VAR penalty decision allowed Kevin Holt open the scoring but Michael Beale's half-time team talk must have inspired the troops after a leveller five minutes into the half from Antonio Colak.
Malik Tillman then scored in controversial circumstances so the hosts allowed Thistle to run from kick-off and level the game.
But Conor McAvoy's own goal handed the hosts a five-goal thriller winner in a mental afternoon at Ibrox.
They are in the hat for Monday's quarter-final draw which is the main thing.
But Beale will know they will need to be much better going forward in this competition and in the League Cup Final against rivals Celtic in two weeks time.
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