RANGERS REINCARNATION AS a Third Division club got off to a shaky start as they needed a Lee McCulloch goal in extra time to edge past Brechin City 2-1 in the first round of the Challenge Cup at Glebe Park.
It was the first competitive match for the fallen Glasgow giants, who are more accustomed to the Champions League than the Challenge Cup, since the club was reformed as a new company following liquidation.
The Ibrox club, whose new owners Sevco Scotland were only granted a temporary licence by the Scottish Football Association to play the match late on Friday night, got off to the perfect start when Andrew Little gave them a fourth-minute lead.
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However, the expected goal-rush never materialised for Rangers against their Second Division opponents.
Brechin’s Andy Jackson poked home a 43rd minute equaliser to ruin the party atmosphere amongst the 3,000 travelling support, who temporarily swelled their host town’s 7,000 population.
International experience
After a goalless second half, it was veteran Lee McCulloch, one of only a few first team regulars from previous seasons to transfer his contract to the new side, who spared Rangers’ blushes. His 102nd minute winner to book their place in the next round.
Despite a mass exodus of first team stars in the summer manager Ally McCoist was able to field a starting line-up that included six internationals although the Ibrox club could only name four substitutes on the bench.
New captain, American international Carlos Bocanegra, took his place in defence alongside Romanian Dorin Goian and Lee Wallace and Kirk Broadfoot while former Hearts midfielder Ian Black and Lewis MacLeod made their debuts.
Gers fans were already making their presence loudly felt before Little sparked mass celebrations after he got in behind the Brechin defence and lifted the ball over the outrushing Michael Andrews.
Wallace stung the palms of Andrews with a fierce strike before Brechin drew level. Broadfoot misjudged the flight of Ewan Moyes’ floated pass and Jackson got in behind to nick the ball through the legs of Alexander.
Andrews tipped a curling free-kick from Black round the post and the keeper came to Brechin’s rescue again when he saved MacLeod’s shot with his legs.
In extra time Little had the ball in the net again when he stretched to put the ball past Andrews but his effort was chalked off for offside.
It was McCulloch who came to the rescue for Rangers in the 102nd minute when he connected with MacLeod’s corner to send home a deflected header.
@Nathan Mawhinney: son is suspended. Think you might be right, Spurs attacking football should suit Ajax to play on the break. As a long suffering Spurs fan I know never to have high expectations..just try to enjoy the football..
@Orla Smith: Tottenham ,Tottenham no one can stop em
We’re gonna do it again
We’re going to bring the big cup back to White Hart Lane
So ,come on you Spurs
Well done Ajax deserved win against the “tin lids”…these bridesmaids won’t score 2 in Amsterdam…therefore should be a great final between Ajax and Barcelona…me thinks…
@The Bloody Nine: I was being sarcastic, he’s an awful player height that’s it if he was under 6ft Finn harps wouldn’t have him, if the ball was covered in glue it would bounce off him, I would probably beat him for pace and I’m 51
See if I can get an answer here haven’t on any other hys with spurs fans. What exactly does deli alli do? Can’t tackle no pace doesn’t create doesn’t score goes missin for ages jees 10mins in before I heard his name tonight? Team sheet every game squad depth must be bad.
Poch has messed up his starting tactics multiple times now. Liverpool , Dortmund , Man United.off the top if my head.not a Spurs fan but he seems to get away with these blunders..anyone with a brain said a back 3 was illadvised.
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Is son injured? have a feeling Ajax might win this one
@Nathan Mawhinney: Suspended
@Nathan Mawhinney: suspended for the first leg
@Nathan Mawhinney: son is suspended. Think you might be right, Spurs attacking football should suit Ajax to play on the break. As a long suffering Spurs fan I know never to have high expectations..just try to enjoy the football..
@Nathan Mawhinney: apparently spurs have never lost a champions league final! :-)
Spurs medical team were very poor in treating Vertonghen, the ref showed more concern than they did. Time for independent HIAs to be introduced
Handy number for Ajax, they must have been delighted with the draw.
@Orla Smith: Tottenham ,Tottenham no one can stop em
We’re gonna do it again
We’re going to bring the big cup back to White Hart Lane
So ,come on you Spurs
Ahh the glory days of soccer .
@Orla Smith: This is going to be a great game of football.
@Quentin Moriarty: Hahahaha…
Jez spurs can’t get their foot on the ball. Very impressive start from AJAX.
Ajax play some great football! really slick moves. Very entertaining
Ajax have been a joy to watch insofar. Tottenham struggling to get any meaningful possession.
Van de beek had alot of time on the ball b4 lettin fly
@Vote4Pedro: You should have been a football pundit.
@Orla Smith: oh my, the intellectual racist has a sense of humour
I’m going 3-1 Ajax
Ajax could run away with this in the second half if Tottenham attack there counter attacking football is superb
Well done Ajax deserved win against the “tin lids”…these bridesmaids won’t score 2 in Amsterdam…therefore should be a great final between Ajax and Barcelona…me thinks…
If llorente was free spurs were robbed?
@Dougal67: didn’t he score the goal that put them through to the semis?
@The Bloody Nine: I was being sarcastic, he’s an awful player height that’s it if he was under 6ft Finn harps wouldn’t have him, if the ball was covered in glue it would bounce off him, I would probably beat him for pace and I’m 51
See if I can get an answer here haven’t on any other hys with spurs fans. What exactly does deli alli do? Can’t tackle no pace doesn’t create doesn’t score goes missin for ages jees 10mins in before I heard his name tonight? Team sheet every game squad depth must be bad.
Poch has messed up his starting tactics multiple times now. Liverpool , Dortmund , Man United.off the top if my head.not a Spurs fan but he seems to get away with these blunders..anyone with a brain said a back 3 was illadvised.
That Ajax side is going to be ripped apart in the summer
@Willy Motley: I think they will get ripped in the champions league final too.
@Freddie Rincon: explain why
Just hope there’s no brain farts by spurs defenders COYS