Nine-man Rangers Fight Til Death To Win Cup

Union Jack display before kick-off

Rangers produced a resilient and committed display this afternoon as Kenny Miller’s headed goal was the difference between nine-man Rangers and St Mirren in the C0-Operative Insurance Cup Final.

The Gers enjoy their cup final success

With 65% possession for St Mirren, it was obvious they were superior in the first-half and there wasn’t much to get the fans off their seats. Neil Alexander, who was a stand-in for McGregor, produced a magnificent save on the goal-line from Steven Thomson as the St Mirren No.10 thought he had a certain goal. A few other shakey moments from the Rangers defence allowed the Buddies a few brief glimpses of goals but the teams went in 0-0 at half-time.

The game exploded into life in the second-half when Kevin Thomson was sent-off for a hard challenge on Steven Thomson which led to a flurry of pushing and shoving from both players. The game continued with Rangers being pegged back by the powerful presence of Mehmet and Higdon in attack. St Mirren found themselves two extra men ahead when Danny Wilson was sent-off for a tug on substitute Craig Dargo, the referee adjudging that Wilson was denying Dargo a goalscoring oppertunity.

The Buddies couldn’t make their numerical advantage count and with 6 minutes remaining, Rangers broke clear through Steven Naismith, who delayed before picking out Miller with a pinpoint cross and Miller glanced the ball into the far corner to release scenes of euphoria in the Rangers end of Hampden. It wasn’t a pretty Rangers performance, but the victory in the end keeps the Rangers dream alive of securing a domestic treble for the first time since 2003.