Well fans enjoying Europe

For the second week in a row Rangers played good attacking football and created plenty of chances – especially in the the early stages of the second half -  yet had to nervously hang on for the last few minutes because they failed to kill off the opposition.

The Light Blues left the field at half-time nil-nil, when the truth is they were the only team on the park. The Rangers played a lot of clean passing football, but when the play ended up at Beasley or Boyd it invariably broke down. Simply put we had all the possession, but not as many clear chances as the dominance suggests.

The two noticeable attacks both came from Kenny Miller, who was simply outstanding. The first chance was one he created for himself. Receiving the ball on the edge of the box, back to goal. He dropped his shoulder one way and then moved the other way, in the way Michael Mols used to do to such effect. This allowed him the space for a low curler and it was only a great save from the Motherwell keeper Graeme Smith that kept the ball from entering inside the left hand post.

This was in the 32nd minute but he had another opportunity a few minutes later when Kris Boyd played a nice pass through to give him a one-on-one opportunity with Smith, but he managed to knock it past. It should have been scored, but to be fair he didn’t have much time and had to hit it fast before the Keeper was all over him.

The closest Motherwell got to a goal was when Neil Alexander, in goal for the dropped Alan McGregor, kicked a ball against the back of a Motherwell attacker which for a moment in the stands looked goal bound, but in reality was going twenty yards wide if Alexander didn’t re-collect.

From the second kick off, The Rangers, although having the same amount of possession, looked far more dangerous. Mendes and Miller linked up particularly well and both of them were involved with everything good Rangers did.

For the first goal,  it was Miller who played a good pass to Davis ensuring he was clean through. As a football fan you will know the feeling of a player through on the Goalkeeper and whether you really believe he will tuck it away or not. With Davis, I just knew he would score and he duly did, confidently side-footing the ball past Smith’s left side. It was fitting that an Ulsterman scored on the unofficial Ulster day.

Rangers kept plugging away and Miller should have had his first Ibrox goal. He attempted to play a one-two with Boyd inside the box that would have almost certainly ensured a Miller goal if he received it back, but to the dismay of the Stadium, Boyd decided to try a fancy flick behind him that came to nothing.

For the second, it was that man Miller again who, on the 76th minute, received the ball from Davis on the right and played an intelligent low cross over the six yard box, with Nacho Novo bundling it over the line.

It seemed we were on easy street, but for the second consecutive week, we stopped playing the attacking football that was pinning Motherwell back in their own half. Standing off the ball, we allowed the Steelmen to get back into the game. And get back into the game they did, hitting the post and then scoring in the 87th minute through David Clarkson. Motherwell are too good a team to just stand back and watch and we need to learn that the best form of defence is attack. A cliche for sure, but also the truth.

At the end there was always the feeling that the Well would nick that equaliser, but the football gods decided they didn’t deserve it and we got through unscathed. Another victory and another three points.

All’s well that ends ‘Well.

Talking Points -

Man of the Match – Undoubtedly Steve Davis had a great match, but I have to pick Kenny Miller. He still can’t shoot fish in a barrel but his creative play was excellent. It was as good a performance from a striker (without actually scoring) as I can remember. I was desperate to see him score, and he was unlucky a few times, but his build-up play was superb and if you were guaranteed that performance every week – even without any goals – you would still play him because others would still score from his creativity.

Kris Boyd – As good as Kenny Miller’s game was, Boyd’s was as bad. A truly, truly shocking performance. He spends most of the game on the ground, is always on the back foot and is woeful in any build-up play. There were lot’s of really clever play by Miller and Mendes that broke down because Boyd received the ball. I know there are Boyd fans out there, although no-one around me at Ibrox seems to be, but I just don’t think he is good enough. I will be astonished if he starts next week.

DaMarcus Beasley – Does nothing. He doesn’t beat a man and seems to hide. As I said last week, how he gets a game before Novo should be in the next ‘X Files’ film.

Walter Smith – I loved the way he made sure the hopeless (and that is me being generous) Eddie Smith came over so he could give him a few choice words. This was after a brutal challenge on Mendes where the Ref astonishingly played on instead of giving the free-kick, then instead of playing on as he first decided, waited 30 seconds to stop the game and then give a bounce-up. Do one or the other – but to do neither does not show competence.

Allan McGregor being dropped – I can only guess that Walter Smith wants to give him a kick up the erse. A fright will do him no harm. He is still our number one, but he has to cut out the silly mistakes. I have no worries about Alexander. As good a number two as you can get and inspires confidence. Had a few good saves today and will not let us down.

Steve Davis – As I said above, an excellent performance from the wee man. He is always involved; always looking for the ball and can create as well as tackle. His finish was also taken so well it looked easy. When a footballer makes the game look easy, you know he is good.

Rangers Fans – Quieter than last week, but still got behind the team when it was needed and did not panic when it was 0-0 so late into the game. Still Simply the Best.

Credit – Photo by Michelle Fouineur under Creative Commons Licence