Forrester celebrates the winner, courtesy of the evening times
Written by – Jamie Currie
MATCH SUMMARY
Another game, another 1-0 win, but yet again the finishing – or lack of – made the game a nail-biting one. Kenny Miller was first to miss, and it was, without doubt, the most glaring one. From three yards out, he managed to fire over after some great wing play by Michael O’Halloran. Lee Wallace and Michael O’Halloran would go close in the first period also. In the second period, Rangers ramped up the pressure – Miller again, fired over, James Tavernier tested Jamie Langfield with a well-struck free-kick before the St Mirren man pulled off an outstanding close-range save from Billy King. But in the 87th minute, sub Harry Forrester won all three points courtesy of a magnificent finish, and it was one that Langfield could only watch fly past him.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Michael O’Halloran
It was a very good home debut from the January signing – all that was missing was a goal.
POST-MATCH QUOTES
Mark Warburton spoke to Rangers TV in the aftermath of the victory.
“It’s a home game and we’ve got a good record here. We want to come here and try and dominate and we started off slowly today, we lacked a little bit of intensity and tempo which we spoke about at half time.
“But I thought the good thing is we kept on trying to do the right thing, trying to maintain shape and get forward and be patient.
“All credit to the team and Harry Forrester for a great finish. Whether it comes in the first minute or the 90th minute they all count.”
“I’ve gone in the box and it was a great square by Mikey and luckily it has hit the back of the net.
“I was thinking ‘just hit the target’ because since I’ve come here I’ve been in good positions and I’ve maybe been a bit eager to score and to get off the mark.
“But it’s come across and I just thought ‘hit the target and make the keeper work’ and when it hit the back of the net I was delighted.”
STAT OF THE MATCH
The win was Rangers’ 12th win from 13 home league fixtures.
KEY MOMENT
Harry Forrester’s 87th-minute strike.
ANALYSIS
- The referee, John McKendrick, was one of the worst I have seen this season. He denied Rangers two stonewall penalties and had a horrible game throughout.
- The midfield wasn’t at its fluent best: Holt, Halliday and Law were pretty poor on the day, but the midfield did improve with the introduction of Forrester and Shiels.
- Another clean sheet for the defensive unit.. Good display from them.
- James Tavernier was back to his best – he was a real driving force in the second half and it was him pressing the ball that forced the mistake for the goal.
- Michael O’Halloran was excellent. Strength, pace and an end product. He was a thorn in the St Mirren defence all day. Impressive.
TWEETS
https://twitter.com/Kirsten93_/status/703644418851606528
MATCH STATS
therangersreport.com 