Rangers 3 Falkirk 0
RANGERS booked their place in Monday’s League Cup third round draw with a convincing victory over Steven Pressley’s Falkirk at Ibrox.
After a disappointing display in Berwick this was more like it from Ally McCoist’s men who looked hungry from the first whistle and got the win thanks to a double from man-of-the-match Lee McCulloch and Andy Little’s eighth strike of the season.
The manager made three changes to his team with Ross Perry, Barrie McKay and the injured Francisco Sandaza replaced by Dean Shiels, Lee Wallace and debutant Sebastien Faure who looked comfortable as a holding midfielder alongside Ian Black.
On a beautiful night in Glasgow’s south side a crowd of 26,450 took in the action but it was the visitors who came close to breaking the deadlock after just seven minutes.
Jay Fulton’s teasing cross from the left was met by the lively David Weatherston but the winger’s right foot volley clattered off the post with Neil Alexander well beaten.
The Gers keeper then had to be alert to pluck the ball from his under his cross bar after Lyle Taylor skewed a powerful cross towards goal.
But Rangers gradually edged their way into the tie and on 12 minutes an intelligent pass from Shiels found McCulloch who took the ball in his stride but hit his shot wide of target.
On 17 minutes, however, he made no mistake.
Black’s accurate corner found Jig who rose above the Bairns defence to head home from six yards.
The goal was a blow for the visitors and the Light Blues came close to doubling their advantage before the half hour mark when McGovern tipped over an excellent long-range effort from Faure.
On 26 minutes Argyriou, on his home debut, then swung in a great cross from the right and Little’s header again had to be pushed over by the keeper.
It was one-way traffic at this stage and on 31 minutes it got worse for the Westfield side.
Shiels’ delightful pass from the centre circle found Little running beyond Falkirk’s backline and his right foot drive flew into the roof of the net.
After the break Falkirk again had an early chance with Taylor curling a 25 yard free kick just wide.
But a moment of madness at the back allowed Rangers to bag their third goal on 52 minutes.
Centre half Chris Smith, who won the SFA Youth Cup with the Light Blues in 2007, and McGovern collided when the keeper came off his line to go for a high ball.
He didn’t get anywhere near it and Smith’s poor header gave McCulloch the chance to guide the ball into the net.
It wasn’t an easy finish for the club’s number 6 who celebrated in front of a jubilant Copland Stand.
With an hour showing on Ibrox’s electronic scoreboards the tie was already over and Rangers were able to enjoy the latter stages of the game.
Rising star Barrie McKay was introduced in place of Shiels and McCoist will have been delighted with the contribution from the former Killie frontman on his return from injury.
The same can be said for Lee Wallace who cruised through the 90 minutes.
Robbie Crawford also got his first chance to impress the Ibrox faithful when he replaced Faure on 76 minutes with Kevin Kyle got a taste of the action.
Despite a couple of hiccups on their travels Rangers again impressed at home this evening and the return of Shiels and Wallace was clearly a massive boost for the squad with Elgin City next up on Sunday.
Monday’s League Cup third round draw will be held at New Douglas Park, kick off 2pm.
RANGERS: Alexander; Argyriou, Emilson, Bocanegra, Wallace; Faure (Crawford 76), Black; Macleod (Kyle 76), Shiels (McKay 62), Little; McCulloch
Subs Not Used: Gallagher, Hegarty,
FALKIRK: McGovern, Duffie, Kingsley, Flynn, Smith, J. Fulton, Alston, Murdoch, Taylor, Sibbald (Haworth 69), Weatherston (D. Fulton 85)
Subs Not Used: Bowman, McGeever, White
REF: Alan Muir
