Power Rangers on Cloud Nine
Monday, August 20, 2007
RAMPANT Rangers thrashed Falkirk 7-2 at Ibrox on Saturday to make it three wins out of three in the Scottish Premier League and consoldiate their position at the top of the table.
Gabon international Daniel Cousin was the standout for Walter Smith's side, scoring a double and creating their fourth goal for substitute Kris Boyd.
Steven Whittaker, making his debut after moving from Hibernian, French forward Jean-Claude Darchville, with another brace, and Kirk Broadfoot completed the rout for Rangers.
But Falkirk can consider themselves unlucky to be on the receiving end of such a hammering and contributed massively to an intriguing match.
Spanish midfielder Arnau Riera had made it 2-1 just before half-time with a spectacular strike the first goal Rangers have conceded this season and substitute Graham Barrett briefly making it 3-2 in the 72nd minute.
Rangers were ahead after only a minute's play.
Captain Barry Ferguson's corner found Lee McCulloch, his shot crashed off the crossbar and the ball eventually fell to Cousin who rammed home from close range.
In the 34th minute the hosts doubled their advantage.
Ferguson slipped the ball wide to Whittaker and he rifled a powerful shot from 16 yards which beat Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul at his near post, via a deflection.
Falkirk, to their credit, continued to believe they could get back in the game and were rewarded in the 43rd minute.
Riera collected the ball 25 yards from goal and smashed a right foot shot into the top corner of the net beyond the despairing dive of goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
But in the 54th minute the home side restored their two- goal advantage.
Ferguson squared from the right and although Spanish forward Nacho Novo lost his balance as he tried to connect on the penalty spot, the ball continued on to Cousin who side-footed the ball into the opposite corner of the net.
Falkirk refused to throw in the towel and pulled it back to 3-2 in the 72nd minute when Irish striker Barrett, who had replaced Michael Higdon four minutes earlier, went through on goal and coolly chipped McGregor as he advanced off his line.
However, the three points were finally secured in the 74th minute when Cousin's cut back gave Boyd the easy task of blasting into the unguarded net from six yards.AFP
Gabon international Daniel Cousin was the standout for Walter Smith's side, scoring a double and creating their fourth goal for substitute Kris Boyd.
Steven Whittaker, making his debut after moving from Hibernian, French forward Jean-Claude Darchville, with another brace, and Kirk Broadfoot completed the rout for Rangers.
But Falkirk can consider themselves unlucky to be on the receiving end of such a hammering and contributed massively to an intriguing match.
Spanish midfielder Arnau Riera had made it 2-1 just before half-time with a spectacular strike the first goal Rangers have conceded this season and substitute Graham Barrett briefly making it 3-2 in the 72nd minute.
Rangers were ahead after only a minute's play.
Captain Barry Ferguson's corner found Lee McCulloch, his shot crashed off the crossbar and the ball eventually fell to Cousin who rammed home from close range.
In the 34th minute the hosts doubled their advantage.
Ferguson slipped the ball wide to Whittaker and he rifled a powerful shot from 16 yards which beat Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul at his near post, via a deflection.
Falkirk, to their credit, continued to believe they could get back in the game and were rewarded in the 43rd minute.
Riera collected the ball 25 yards from goal and smashed a right foot shot into the top corner of the net beyond the despairing dive of goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
But in the 54th minute the home side restored their two- goal advantage.
Ferguson squared from the right and although Spanish forward Nacho Novo lost his balance as he tried to connect on the penalty spot, the ball continued on to Cousin who side-footed the ball into the opposite corner of the net.
Falkirk refused to throw in the towel and pulled it back to 3-2 in the 72nd minute when Irish striker Barrett, who had replaced Michael Higdon four minutes earlier, went through on goal and coolly chipped McGregor as he advanced off his line.
However, the three points were finally secured in the 74th minute when Cousin's cut back gave Boyd the easy task of blasting into the unguarded net from six yards.AFP
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