Hearts 2 1 Rangers Report 29 / 11 /08

FT – Hearts 2-1 Rangers: It has been a day to forget for Gers. They’ve controlled the

second half but paid the price for poor defending in the first. Some questionable refereeing decisions haven’t helped them either and they’re still four points off the top of the table.

90 mins +3: Obua brings down Weir but after the free kick comes into the box, it falls at Broadfoot’s feet and he fires over the crossbar from close range.

90 mins +1: Lafferty goes into the book and it hasn’t been a great day for him. He has been pulled all over the park by Hearts yet has had very few decisions go his way.

90 mins - There are four minutes of injury time and that suits Gers more than the Jambos. A chorus of boos bursts out from the home stands.

87 mins - Rangers are camped in Hearts’ half but they can’t test McDonald in the home goal. Time is running out here and the visitors aren’t helped by a toilet roll being thrown on from the away end as it just wastes a few more seconds.

85 mins - Nade comes off as Hearts make their final alteration of the afternoon, with David Obua taking to the field for the final few minutes. His first touch is a header from Driver’s corner but it flies past the post.

84 mins - Lafferty heads down for Boyd but he doesn’t let the ball bounce when he perhaps should and his volley soars high into the sky.

81 mins - Hearts are hanging on by a thread here and they try to take the sting out of the game, with Aguiar coming off and Deividas Cesnauskis replacing him.

79 mins - Gers are really turning the screw now and force a series of corners without making any of them count.

76 mins - There’s high drama as Wallace, who was booked five minutes ago, is sent off. He takes out Burke and doesn’t complain as he is sent packing.

72 mins - Darcheville’s day comes to an end as Nacho Novo takes his place alongside Boyd in attack.

71 mins - Hearts left-back Wallace collects a yellow card and Burke has a free kick to takje on the right. Boyd heads the ball when it comes in and although it seems he is being pulled back, a corner is given instead of a penalty but Gers can’t use it to their advantage.

64 mins - Hearts make their first change of the game, with scorer Kingston making way for Icelandic midfielder Eggert Jonsson.

60 mins - Darcheville wins a corner and with Adam off, Burke takes it. It goes deep to the back post, David Weir heads back in and Boyd goes for it but is stopped by the referee for a foul on the keeper.

58 mins - Good save from McGregor. Kingston charges forward and unleashes a vicious drive from 25 yards but the Ibrox number one is equal to the task.

56 mins - Rangers make their first change of the game and it’s a first appearance in over seven months for Chris Burke. He comes on for Adam as Smith looks for more creativity from his men.

51 mins - Bougherra loses the ball and eventually gives away a corner and although Kyle Lafferty bizarrely tries to clear it with his hand, he thankfully misses and the ball is hooked clear instead by a team-mate.

47 mins - Mendes tries an audacious swerving half-volley and although it goes over, it isn’t that far off the target.

46 mins - Hearts get the game restarted, with Gers looking to get on the scoresheet again and apply pressure on Old Firm rivals Celtic.

HT – Hearts 2-1 Rangers: It has been an entertaining half, with Hearts having the best of it and Rangers guilty of some poor defending at both goals they conceded. With that said, they did well to get back into the match and could yet get something from this fixture.

45 mins - Whittaker is next in the book for persistent fouling and this time the caution is probably merited.

43 mins - It’s a booking for Boyd and, quite frankly, it’s an awful decision. The striker has had both Berra and Zaliukas climbing all over him for the entire match yet he’s the one that gets carded for another foul on him by the former. What referee McDonald is thinking is beyond me.

42 mins - Gers apply pressure and it gets to Palazuelos, who brings done Mendes on the edge of the area. The Portuguese star hits it and MacDonald has to punch away to safety.

39 mins - Steven Whittaker lets in Kingston with a lapse of concentration but McGregor bails him out with a decent save from the Ghana midfielder.

38 mins - Berra takes the ball from Boyd and charges forward but his 35-yard drive is really ambitious and predictably wide of the mark.

34 mins - Mendes opens his body up and shoots from long range but while he strikes the ball cleanly, it is always travelling wide with pace.

30 mins - Driver shoots on the turn after Christian Nade mishits his effort but it’s a weak attempt and McGregor holds gratefully.

25 mins – GOAL! Rangers have a free kick on the right and after Charlie Adam takes it for a second time, Boyd appears there first to head his side back into the game. As it is, it’s an own goal from home stopper Christos Karipidis.

22 mins – GOAL! Another free kick comes in and again the Rangers back line fails to handle it. Christophe Berra heads back across goal and Kingston gets there first to score from close range.

21 mins - Madjid Bougherra picks up the first booking of the game from the impatient Dougie McDonald for persistent fouling.

19 mins – GOAL! It’s Hearts who go in front after a free kick is poorly defended by Gers. Marius Zaliukjas pokes in from a yard out after McGregor appears to spill Aguiar’s deep free kick.

15 mins - Walter Smith’s men are starting to settle and Barry Ferguson strikes the ball on the volley but is also off target from the edge of the box.

14 mins - Mendes rolls the set piece to Boyd but for once he doesn’t catch the ball properly and his drive spins high and wide.

13 mins - It’s a free kick for Gers in a dangerous position. Robbie Neilson handles Jean-Claude Darcheville’s free kick 20 yards out and this is a chance.

10 mins - Gers are under the cosh a little here and it is Hearts who have started brightest. They win their first corner which comes in from Ruben Palazuelos but it lands on top of the net.

7 mins - After making one good tackle, Pedro Mendes is punished for being late with another. Thankfully the Hearts free kick from 35 yards comes to nothing.

4 mins - Some desperate defending from Rangers. Crosses from Bruno Aguiar and Laryea Kingston cause all sorts of trouble in the box but the Light Blues eventually scramble clear.

2 mins - Kirk Broadfoot takes advantage of a slack pass by Lee Wallace and crosses to Boyd but his header is no trouble for Jambos keeper Jamie MacDonald.

1 min - Andrew Driver tries his luck from 20 yards but his low shot is easily dealt with by Allan McGregor in the away goal.

0 mins - It’s Rangers to kick off and Kris Boyd and Jean-Claude Darcheville get the game underway, with the visitors shooting towards the Hearts fans.

HEARTS: MacDonald; Neilson, Zaliukas, Berra, Wallace; Kingston, Karipidis, Palazuelos, Driver; Aguiar; Nade.

SUBS: Kello, Makela, Obua, Cesnauskis, Mole, Thomson, Jonsson.

RANGERS: McGregor; Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Whittaker; Lafferty, Ferguson, Mendes, Adam; Darcheville, Boyd.

SUBS: Alexander, Edu, Novo, McCulloch, Burke, Aaron, Loy.

 REFEREE: Dougie McDonald.

Hearts v Rangers 28 / 11 / 08

Venue: Tynecastle Stadium Date: Saturday, 29 November Kick-off: 1230 GMT Coverage: BBC Radio Scotland & BBC Sport website. Highlights on website from 1800GMT on Sunday and on Monday’s Sportscene, BBC One Scotland @ 2235GMT               Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart is suspended, while Mike Tullberg and Saulius Mikoliunas remain injured. However, midfielders Laryea Kingston and Deividas Cesnauskis have returned to fitness and are in the squad. Rangers striker Kenny Miller is missing as he continues to recover from a calf injury and midfielder Steven Davis is out due to family reasons. However, defenders Sasa Papac and Madjid Bougherra return after missing the wins over St Mirren and Aberdeen.     Hearts: (from)        Rangers: (from) McGregor, Broadfoot, Weir, McCulloch, Whittaker, Ferguson, Mendes, Adam, Darcheville, Novo, Boyd, Beasley, Lafferty, Alexander, Aaron, Kinniburgh, Bougherra, Papac. This season: Rangers 2-0 Hearts Match Odds: Hearts 5.50 Draw 3.50 Rangers 1.66 CLUB FORM HEARTS Last five matches: L W W W W Top scorers: Michael Stewart – 3 RANGERS Last five league matches: D W D W W Top scorer: Kris Boyd – 11 Referee: Douglas McDonald

Squad trimming for Rangers

WALTER SMITH has hinted Rangers ARE in the market for a defender – but hasn’t ruled out Lee McCulloch and Andy Webster providing long-term cover at the back.

The Ibrox manager has found himself short of options in that department recently thanks to Madjid Bougherra’s calf injury.

With Webster on loan to Bristol City and not due back until January, McCulloch has been converted to a centre-half as a result and deployed there ahead of Christian Dailly.

The experiment has been a relative success and the Light Blues have won both matches in which the former Wigan man has deputised alongside David Weir.

Now his immediate future could be in the back line as Smith looks to avoid shelling out more cash when the transfer window opens five weeks tomorrow.

Gers chairman David Murray has said money will only be available to the manager to strengthen his squad in the case of an emergency.

And while Smith is keeping tabs on the availability of certain players, he is keen to see if any of the men he currently has at his disposal can do a job for him.

Indeed, if anything, his priority remains trimming his excessive squad and he has reiterated his desire to do that at the turn of the year.

Smith said: “When we look at the number of players we have overall, there are 28 people in the senior squad and that is a big staff.

“First and foremost, we must deal with that situation as we don’t need that many players and we have to address it.

“Understandably, some of the boys aren’t happy they’ve not been involved as regularly as they would wish.

“In all probability, our staff will be cut down more than anything else but that doesn’t stop us from looking at one or two positions we might need to fill as well.

“Obviously, we have to do that in conjunction with people who may leave in the January transfer window. It may be we just go with the squad we have at the moment.

“Defensively, Lee has come in and played in a position where he hasn’t really played before except in the reserves over the last month or so.

“He has done really well in that area and we are pleased with the progress he is making at the back.

“Andy will also come back to us from Bristol City and that will alleviate our situation there too. We’ll see what happens when his loan agreement ends.”

Injury updates

WALTER SMITH is hopeful of having four injured players back in his Rangers side for this weekend’s trip to Hearts. 

Madjid Bougherra and Sasa Papac, who both missed the victories against St Mirren and Aberdeen, are in contention to return.

Kris Boyd, who limped off after scoring the clincher against the Dons on Saturday, should recover in time for the match at Tynecastle too.

The outlook is a little bleaker at present for Kenny Miller, who sat out the meeting with Jimmy Calderwood’s men and Scotland’s clash with Argentina last midweek.

The calf problem which prevented him from taking part in those fixtures continues to hinder him and it remains to be seen if he’ll be available in Edinburgh.

Boss Smith hopes that with the intensive treatment he receives at Murray Park over the next few days, his striker can come back into the fold.

Rangers have had to get by without a number of key performers lately, with Kevin Thomson and Steven Davis absent because of injury and compassionate grounds.

Having up to four more players in his squad again would come as a big boost to Smith as his side looks to make up ground in the SPL title race.

He said: “I think Sasa will be fit for the game and I’m quite certain that Kris Boyd, who came off injured on Saturday, will be okay.

“I’m also fairly hopeful that Madjid Bougherra, who has struggled with a calf strain over the last few weeks, will come in again too.

“Kenny Miller has taken a nasty knock to his calf and that’s one of those we’ll have to take care of.

“We hope he’ll be able to play for us this weekend but I’d say at the moment that he’s a little bit doubtful.”

Rangers 2 v 0 Aberdeen 22 / 11 / 08

FT: Rangers 2 Aberdeen 0 – Hugely important win for Walter Smith’s men. In the end Rangers could have scored more, especially in the second half when the dominated throughout. 

The most important thing was getting three points and goals from Darcheville and Boyd made it a good day for the Ibrox faithful.

Man of the Match: Pedro Mendes – Showed moments of his undoubted quality throughout the match.

91 min - Rangers toying with their opponents at the end with three points secure.

90 min - Beasley turns in the box and shot is deflected over. American has worked hard since coming on which will have pleased his gaffer.

88 min - Novo is released brilliantly by man-of-the-match Mendes but his right-foot effort from 20 yards is blocked.

87 min - Time is running out for the Dons who have not won at Ibrox for 17 years. 

84 min - Novo broought down 30 yards from goal by Diamond. Defender is booked. Adam stands over the free-kick and his powerful, curling effort is inches wide of target. Great effort.

82 min - Broadfoot booked for a late foul on Maguire.

80 min - Kerr misses a sitter for Dons. Adam tackles Aluko but the ball arrives to Kerr who is rushing through on goal. His left foot shot, however, goes horribly wide of McGregor’s goal.

78 min - Whittaker produces an overlapping run and is brought down before he reaches the Dons 18-yard box. Adam crosses and when it drops to laffert his shot is well saved by Langfield.

76 min – Rangers substitution - Nacho Novo on for Jean-Claude Darcheville.

74 min - Lafferty is left clutching his face after he appears to be hit in the face by Diamond’s elbow. Both ref and linesman miss the incident which is quite remarkable. I thought they were sponsored by Specsavers! 

70 min - Beasley as expected is introduced on the left wing with lafferty joining Darcheville in attack.

70 min – Double Aberdeen substitution - Chris Maguire and Richard Foster on for Lee Mair and Derek Young.

68 min – Rangers substitution - DaMarcus Beasley on for Kris Boyd.

67 min – GOAL! Rangers 2 Aberdeen 0 - Rangers go up the other end and win a corner. Adam delivers a low bouncing cross and when Lafferty leaves it at the near post Boyd, as usual, is there to nod it home from six yards.  Once again the club’s lethal predator strikes.

65 min - Aluko is Aberdeen’s main threat and he uses his pace and trickery to win his side a corner. Young crosses and a dipping Diamond header is cleared off the line by Mendes.

61 min - Ferguson looks to play in Kris Boyd but the striker looks to be hobbling. A change might be required soon.

60 min - Adam swings in the free-kick after Severin gets back to his feet and the ball falls to Davie Weir. He takes a touch in the box to steady himself but can’t get the power on his shot and it is cleared.

59 min - Lafferty clatters in to Severin midway in the Dons half but ref lets play continue. Abeedeen want the ball to go out but Rangers continue and Darcheville is fouled by Diamond. Bit of niggle in the game now.

56 min - Adam attempts to head a cross back to McGregor but it is slack and goes out for a Dons corner. Mulgrew swings the ball in and Diamond heads just wide. Let off for Gers.

52 min - Rangers in the ascendency and immediately have a chance to double their advantage. Mendes hangs the ball up the back post but Lafferty can’t get enough on his header under pressure from Considine.

51 min – GOAL! Rangers 1 Aberdeen 0 - Adam swings in a dangerous corner and it falls to Kris Boyd at the back post. He turns the ball goalward and Darcheville is there to toe poke it home from close range .

49 min - Sone Aluko sparks a counter attack and shows does well to beat Mendes with a burst of pace. His cross, however, is poor.

47 min - Great chance for Darcheville! Boyd stabs the ball through to his strike partner who turns on the edge of the area but his low shot with his left-foot is saved by the legs of Langfield.

46 min - No changes for either team at the restart. Temperature has dropped considerably at the start of the second-half.

HT: Rangers 0 Aberdeen 0 - A frustrating half for the Gers who have not yet hit top gear. More invention in the last third is needed although referee Craig Thomson should have awarded the home side a penalty. Still all to play for both teams.

45 min - Lee Mair almost turns the ball into his own net from a Adam free-kick but Langfield makes a terrific save and tips the ball over the bar.

44 min - Allan McGregor has to be sharp to deny Derek Young with a superb point blank save low to his left. Brilliant from the keeper.

41 min - A Barry Ferguson cross is deflected wide for a corner to Gers. Adam’s cross fails to beat the first man to the frustration of the home support.

39 min - Referee Thomson halts a positive Gers attack after Young takes a head knock from a high, but fair challenge, from Mendes. Game should never have been stopped.

35 min - Mulgrew again delivers a wicked free-kick from the left and McCulloch heads out for a corner. The resulting cross goes wide and the Dons win a free-kick when McDonald takes a dive after a tackle from Lafferty. Adam clears, justice done.

33 min - Davie Weir does well to head clear a dangerous Mulgrew cross with Lee Miller lurking behind him.

29 min - Boyd wins a header to send Darcheville on his down the left wing. His deflected cross is directed in to the path of Fergsuon but his diving header misses Langfield’s back post. Better play from Gers.

26 min - Decent counter attack from Gers. Mendes shows great vision to find Lafferty who had sprinter clear down the right flank. He cuts the ball inside to Boyd but his ambitious first time shot from 25 yards fails to trouble Langfield. Should have taken a touch.

22 min - After a good spell from the visitors Derek Young dinked the ball through to Aluko but the striker, who was clear through on goal, shot wide. The lineman, however, had put up his flag but it was good play from the Dons.

20 min - Good game so far. Aberdeen started the match well but Rangers have grown in confidence. Walter Smith will hope his team can turn their possession into goals before the interval.

17 min - Ferguson feeds the ball to Whittaker but the defender’s shot from 25 yards is blocked.

14 min - Adam, in his own half, plays a delightful long pass to Barry Ferguson who had burst forward with purpose. The ball is slightly too far in front of the captain and skids through to Dons’ keeper Jamie Langfield. 

13 min - Lafferty plays in Darcheville down the right wing. The Frenchman skins his marker before firing a low cross but an Aberdeen defender reads the situation before Boyd and clears.

10 min - The ref’s having a laugh. Charlie Adam drills the ball low into the box. Considine attempts to clear but the ball bounces off his boot on to his hand. A penalty should have been awarded but again the ref waves away any appeals. 

6 min - Lafferty attempts to cross the ball from the right and the ball clearly hits the hand of an Aberdeen player. Referee Craig Thomson fails to see it and lets play continue. Crazy decision.

3 min - Scott Severin causes havoc in the Gers defence with a Rory Delap style throw-in which Kirk Broadfoot heads out for a corner. Mulgrew again takes but McGregor is fouled as he punches the ball clear.

2 min - Aberdeen win first corner of the game and Boyd clears a Charlie Mulgrew cross with a powerful header. Good defensive work from the striker.

1 min - Early chance for Gers. Mendes flicks the ball over the Aberdeen defence in to the path of Boyd but his left-foot shot from a wide angle goes well over.

0min - Kris Boyd and Jean-Claude Darcheville get the action underway at Ibrox.

RANGERS: McGregor; Broadfoot, McCulloch, Weir, Whittaker; Lafferty, Mendes, Ferguson, Adam; Darcheville, Boyd

Subs: Alexander, Edu, Novo, Beasley, Dailly, Aaron, Kinniburgh

ABERDEEN: Langfield, Mulgrew, Diamond, Severin, Considine, McDonald, Young, Kerr, Mair, Aluko, Miller

Subs: Bateman, Foster, Hodgkiss, De Visscher, Maguire, Stewart, Paton

Referee: Craig Thomson