Gers End Oz Tour In Defeat

Rangers ended their tour of Australia in defeat after a 1-0 loss to AEK Athens in the Sydney Festival of Football.

Walter Smith decided to bring back Madjid Bougherra and Allan McGregor into the squad for Andy Webster and Neil Alexander. Smith has sore memories of the Greek side as they knocked Rangers out of the Champions League back in the 90s as part of a horrific start to the season losing to AEK, Celtic and Falkirk.

The SPL Champions started well in their new look 4-3-3 formation with the midfield partnership of McCulloch, Edu and Davis flourishing. AEK Athens had the first good chance of the game with Nikos Lyberopolous curling his free-kick wide of the post. Kyle Lafferty was replaced by John Fleck after 28 minutes and the youngster made a huge difference in Rangers’ favour. The Gers created a number of good chances with Kenny Miller missing the target from a Steven Whittaker cross. Whittaker and Miller worked well again, and Miller missed when it seemed easier to score than not. Bougherra was next to miss a really good chance when he somehow missed from 4 yards.

Even after the interval, Rangers seemed in control with McCulloch and Miller missing more decent chances for the Gers. Against the run of play, the Greeks took the lead when Australian Burns headed home from a Karabelas cross. Rangers seemed rattled when Djebbour missed an excellent chance soon after. But AEK held on and won the tournament comfortably, however, the Gers can be happy with their exploits down under.