The Thistle Archive

Gabriel McKay, 05-Jul-2021, Daily Record

A late goal from Cedric Itten was enough to ensure Rangers got their pre-season off to a winning start on a sedate evening at Firhill. Hosts Partick Thistle were playing in front of fans for the first time since early 2020 as they warmed up for the League Cup group stage. But it was the visitors who got the win as they built their fitness for their defence of the Premiership crown in a match that had a real pre-season feel. It was a somewhat unfamiliar Rangers line-up, with players absent after competing at Euro 2020 and the Copa America. Manager Steven Gerrard selected Robbie McCrorie in goal, with Jack Simpson and George Edmundson getting rare starts in defence. Winger Jordan Jones also came in after returning from a loan spell at Sunderland.

The early knockings were typical of a pre-season game, with not so much as a corner until 16 minutes into the match. Veteran Jermain Defoe had the first chance of the match as a slip from Ross Docherty in midfield gifted possession to Rangers. The striker was played through one-on-one with Jamie Sneddon but he went for the nutmeg and it hit the goalkeeper's legs rather than the back of the net. It was Thistle who came closest to opening the scoring, with McCrorie forced to tip over a Brian Graham header after a fine cross from from former Rangers man Richard Foster. Glen Middleton had the chance to break the deadlock shortly thereafter but he snatched badly at his shot and it dribbled wide. It wasn't anyone's side of a classic first half, referee Greg Aitken actually blew up a few seconds early to send the players back to the dressing room.

Gerrard rang the changes at half-time as he switched his entire XI, with the likes of Joe Aribo, James Tavernier and Steven Davis entering the fray for the second 45. It coincided with a spell of pressure for the visitors, with Tavernier seeing a shot deflected over after some good work by Calvin Bassey down the left. Young midfielder Stephen Kelly impressed after coming on, always looking to get on the ball, and he was unlucky to see a left-footed shot come back off the far post. The other post was rattled shortly after as Rangers missed the chance to go ahead from the spot. Aitken judged that Tavernier's free-kick had hit an arm and pointed to the spot, but Tavernier's effort came back off the base of the woodwork. Rangers couldn't be denied forever though and they grabbed a late winner through Cedric Itten. Ianis Hagi knocked the ball down and his Swiss team-mate was on hand to fire home from close range. It won't live long in the memory, other than for fans who got to return to the football for the first time in 18 months, but both side will feel it was a worthwhile exercise.

Partick Thistle assistant manager Neil Scally, via ptfc.co.uk

Our preparation's been quite good so far but that was more of a game for us with the tempo Rangers play at, and I thought we competed really well. From our point of view there's new boys coming into the team, and I think they're learning a wee bit about us and what we're looking to do as a group, so I thought it was very worthwhile. We've still got Zak to come back and Kyle to come back, so I think we've got the makings of a good nucleus.

advertisement

RETURN TO FIRHILL ROAD

.