Rangers 3 v 0 St Mirren 25 04 09

Rangers progressed to the final of the Scottish Cup with a comfortable win over St Mirren.

Andrius Velicka gave the holders a second-minute lead with a close-range finish past goalkeeper Mark Howard.

Saints threatened an equaliser through Steven Thomson’s strike but keeper Neil Alexander saved well.

Kris Boyd’s 100th Rangers goal stretched the Ibrox club’s lead in the 66th minute and Kenny Miller’s volley four minutes later sealed victory.

Falkirk or Dunfermline await Rangers in the final, which takes place on 30 May.

Rangers went in front with their first serious advance at a sun-drenched Hampden as Steven Davis mounted an attack down the inside-right channel.

The Northern Ireland midfielder’s pass found Boyd, whose shot was deflected into the path of Velicka and the Lithuanian striker slid in to fire high into the net for his third goal in as many games.

Pedro Mendes came close to extending Rangers’ lead in the 11th minute when his swerving shot with the outside of the right foot was tipped wide by Howard.

Rangers v St Mirren 25 04 09

Venue: Hampden Park Date: Saturday 25 April Kick-off: 1215 BST
Coverage: Sky Digital, BBC Radio Scotland, Radio(Non UK), Rangers Live(Non UK), List of Satellites, Streams.

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Rangers captain Barry Ferguson misses the Scottish Cup semi-final after suffering a calf injury last week.

 

Defender Sasa Papac is suspended and Lee McCulloch, Kirk Broadfoot, Kyle Lafferty and Kevin Thomson are out.

St Mirren striker Billy Mehmet will be given a late fitness test as he struggles with a hamstring injury.

John Potter returns from a ban but Steven Robb, Stephen O’Donnell, Franco Miranda, Chris Smith and Tom Brighton all miss out for the clash at Hampden.

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Rangers (from): Alexander, Whittaker, Weir, Bougherra, Naismith, Davis, Edu, Mendes, Boyd, Velicka, Novo, McGregor, Miller, Aaron, Fleck, Wilson, S Smith, Dailly.

 

St Mirren (from): Howard, Ross, Camara, Cuthbert, Potter, Haining, McGinn, Thomson, Dorman, Murray, Dargo, Mason, Brady, Hamilton, Wyness, Barron, McAusland, Burns, Mathers, Mehmet.

Thomson to fight for place

 

Kevin Thomson believes the return of skipper Barry Ferguson has every Rangers midfielder looking over his shoulder.

Ferguson has recovered from five months out following ankle surgery and is set to return to the starting line-up after making two substitute appearances.

Summer signings Steve Davis and Pedro Mendes have settled in well in Ferguson’s absence while Thomson has also contributed, scoring the last-gasp leveller in Tuesday’s 3-3 draw with Dundee United.

But they must fight it out for a starting berth now that Ferguson has returned to full fitness.

“It’s a big club and there is always competition for places,” he said.

“It’s been well-documented that the skipper is back now and he is pushing for a game.

On their toes

“It’s not just myself, it’s up to every player to stay on their toes and to work hard and stay in the team.”

Thomson’s equaliser against Dundee United ensured Rangers stretched their unbeaten home run in the SPL to 13 months, although the 3-3 draw was not enough for the Gers to go level with Celtic at the top of the table.

“We have a great record here and we would like to keep that going,” said Thomson.

“If we are going to win the title, we have to win our home games so it certainly feels like two points dropped.

 

Dropped points

“It was the same when I was at Hibs, every team who comes up against the Old Firm wants to do their best.

“It’s always a cup final, especially at Ibrox in front of 50,000. If you don’t want to come here and perform, then you shouldn’t be playing football.

“They came and had a go and it’s up to us to up our game and make sure that we beat these teams.”