Sport — Match of the DayMarvellous Marvin inspires Light Blues
Rangers 2 - Hearts 0
The inspirational words of a preacher man helped Rangers to victory at Ibrox. Out of Europe and fiercely criticised by their own for the sale of Carlos Cuellar, the Light Blues went into this game under severe pressure. But, just as the forecast rainstorms failed to materialise, so, too, the feared storms of protest were notable by their absence. Around 2000 fans did demonstrate their unhappiness with a silent show of dissent outside the main stands an hour before the game. Well, silent that is until a Rangers car drew up to deliver new £2.5-million signing Maurice Edu to the front door. Convenient Given the American had earlier been seen around the ground, the timing all seemed a bit convenient, but that didn’t stop him being loudly cheered. And the suspicion that some neat stage management was confirmed when former Rangers star Marvin Andrews was wheeled out on to the Ibrox pitch before the game. Against a backdrop of a banner proclaiming “We deserve better”, the defender and representative of the Zion Praise Centre urged loyalty. “Keep believing. Look to the future, we still have three trophies to win.” Aided, no doubt, by memories of his bone-rattling tackles and willingness to play despite serious injury, it was a message that hit home. By the time referee Stuart Dougal blew the whistle for kick-off, Rangers’ players and fans were all very much up for it. Approval They roared their approval at the introduction of Pedro Mendes, the £3.33 million Portuguese buy from Portsmouth, and got behind every early attack. Laryea Kingston cranked things up further by launching into a challenge with Kevin Thomson which left the Scotland man flat out on the ground. It earned the African a yellow card and with a hint of the madness that was to come with Saulius Mikoliunas. Amidst it all, Madjid Bougherra kept his composure. The £2.5 million arrival from Charlton cleared his lines when he had to and was the architect of Rangers’ all-important opening goal. High up the pitch supporting his attack, the Algerian showed good skill to keep the ball in on the bye-line after a Mendes free-kick was cleared by the Hearts defence. And, from a tight position, he did well to pick out his fellow new signing Kyle Lafferty, who, from 30 yards out, drilled a beauty into the corner of the net. If Rangers could have scripted their opener, Hearts couldn’t have made up what was happening to them in the second half. Astonishment New boss Csaba Lazlo sent on Mikoliunas as a substitute for Kingston and then watched on in astonishment as he got himself sent off for two bookable offences in just seven minutes. The Lithuanian, notorious for having dived to win a penalty against Scotland last year, had been on the pitch just seconds when he picked up his first caution for simulation following a Papac challenge. And barely had radio commentators finished discussing how the offence left him walking a tightrope he followed up with a mad lunge on Kenny Miller. Referee Dougal was quickly on the spot and there was only ever going to be one outcome. Mikoliunas was heading for the dressing-room even as the official raised the card. It was his third red card against the Ibrox club and one which must surely put a huge question mark over his future. Lazlo was more concerned with what was going on in front of him and quickly withdrew Jamie Mole for Deividas Cesnauskis. Rangers pushed on, though, and increased their advantage in stoppage time, Kris Boyd slamming home a penalty after Lee Wallace had brought Miller down in the penalty area. Man of the Match — Pedro Mendes. Justifiably gets the award for a fine debut display. With his long hair and Latin looks, he is unlikely to ever be mistaken for club skipper Barry Ferguson, but his vision and weight of passing are reminiscent of the Scotland star. For full match analysis, get a copy of the August 17 issue of The Sunday Post. |
© All copyright D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd., 2008 |
By Danny Stewart at Ibrox
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