Rangers move 2 points behind Celtic at the top

18th Jan2011

Rangers move 2 points behind Celtic at the top

by WeKnowSFA

Scrappy win but job done

A goal on the stroke of half-time was all that separated Rangers and Caley Thistle but the three points were crucial to Rangers in their pursuit of a third SPL title in a row. It was never likely to be a classic night on a surface that is showing extreme signs of wear and tear but championships are often borne out of digging in on nights like these.

Kenny Miller was missing from the Rangers squad and appears to be heading for Turkey, which meant midfielder Steven Davis had to step up to grab the only goal of the game. James Beattie looked off the pace as he has done for most of the season but the appearance of Nikica Jelavic will have heartened the home crowd.

Rangers appeared brighter with the striker on the park but a booking for diving will have slightly soured the striker’s night. Walter Smith was correct in his post-match viewpoint that Rangers were unlucky not to have added to their lead in the second half.

The Ibrox boss does have Alan McGregor to thank though with the keeper once again making a terrific stop to prevent Caley from taking the lead. Rangers were the dominant team but a failure to add to their lead led to some nervy moments near the end of the match. However, Walter Smith will take little but positives from the match. The same cannot be said for his counterpart boss.

Terry Butcher was extremely unhappy at the game being scheduled for tonight and the ex-Rangers captain was seething at the full-time whistle. The Caley manager had every right to be angry because the only goal of the game came after Adam Rooney appeared to be fouled by Andy Webster. Craig Thomson decided that it wasn’t a foul and Rangers swept up the park to grab the only strike of the game.

Butcher was also raging at the level of protection given to Vladimir Weiss, which he believed was not offered to his own players. Butcher then followed up the criticism of the SFA officials by attacking the SPL and rallied against the idea of a ten team SPL. You may not agree with his views on the match officials but the thought of a 10 team SPL does fill most fans with a sense of dread.

Refereeing controversy has been a major factor of Scottish football this season and it remains to be seen if Terry Butcher will now be hauled in front of the disciplinary panel for his comments about the refereeing performance. If there is any consistency from the SFA, Butcher will surely find himself with questions to answer.

Then again, the SFA may be better served by ensuring their referees were able to make the right calls in games.

That won’t bother Rangers and their fans though and the Ibrox side have the opportunity to top the league when they take on Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday at lunchtime. Hearts are going well at the moment but you always fancy Rangers to grab a win at Tynecastle. Rangers pulled out a late winner in Gorgie earlier this season and a similar outcome this Saturday will leave the away end at Tynecastle going mad.

Six points in two home games has set Rangers up to go top of the league this weekend, will they manage it?