Clyde 0-1 Rangers: Golden oldies frustrate Rangers

Clyde 0
Rangers 1
Novo (80)

THE Rangers supporters who revelled in a reminder of a more glorious recent past for their club last night would have left Cumbernauld nursing a sense of concern over what the immediate future holds for them.

With the start of their European campaign now just a week away, Walter Smith's team showed they still have significant amounts of rust to shake off before then. Nacho Novo's fortuitous goal 10 minutes from time, when he appeared to know little about the deflection he applied to Charlie Adam's shot which allowed it to find the corner of the net, earned Rangers victory from a match which they controlled without ever looking impressive.

But Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist believes there is no urgent need to recruit more new signings before tomorrow night's Uefa transfer deadline for the second qualifying round of the Champions League.

"We have been looking at a number of players and are always looking to strengthen," said McCoist. "If someone becomes available it would be nice and we are probably looking at defence and midfield. But if it doesn't happen before Thursday night, it won't be a disaster because I think we have the players here who can get us through this round in Europe."

The highlight of the occasion for all in attendance was the inclusion of Brian Laudrup, Jorg Albertz and Arthur Numan as guest players for Clyde, but there was little else to commend what was a typically low grade pre-season friendly.

The presence of the three former Rangers idols in the Clyde line-up had the desired effect on the attendance, as the stadium was filled to its 8,500 capacity.

If the appearances of Laudrup, Albertz and Numan lent the feel of a testimonial, it was of far greater significance than that to Rangers ahead of the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie against Kaunas at Ibrox next Wednesday.

Having utilised some of his first-team squad in a closed door friendly against Morton at Murray Park earlier in the day, Smith fielded a starting line-up which may be reasonably close to the one he deploys against the Lithuanian champions.

Kenny Miller, who was again jeered by a minority of Rangers supporters, partnered Jean-Claude Darcheville in attack, while Brahim Hemdani returned from injury to form a central midfield partnership with Kevin Thomson. Allan McGregor made his first appearance in goal since suffering an ankle injury against Celtic at Parkhead in April.

While they enjoyed the lion's share of possession, however, the Ibrox side struggled to find any fluency against John Brown's hard-working outfit.

Showing typical willingness to chase a ball into the corner, Miller delivered a fine cross from the right which Darcheville narrowly failed to connect with. The ball found its way to Lee McCulloch at the far post and his shot was smartly saved by Clyde goalkeeper David Hutton.

Miller should have claimed his first goal back in Rangers colours in their next attack, Thomson and Darcheville combining to play him in on the left. The Scotland striker cut inside his marker but then shanked his shot wildly over the top.

Laudrup, looking little different at 39 than he did when lighting up Scottish grounds a decade ago, earned warm applause with a delicious through ball which split the Rangers defence to set Billy Gibson free for a shot which was turned behind for a corner.

When Thomson fouled Numan all of 40 yards out, the Rangers supporters urged Albertz to shoot but the 'Hammer' declined with a smile, choosing instead to chip into the area.

Kirk Broadfoot headed Rangers' best chance of the first half over from close range before Hutton made a terrific one-handed save to deny Novo.

Numan had lasted just over half an hour before being replaced, but Albertz and Laudrup both returned after the interval before being substituted together two minutes into the second half to a standing ovation.

Clyde also swapped goalkeepers and Peter Cherrie made a stunning save to prevent McCulloch making the breakthrough for Rangers, touching onto the crossbar and over.

Smith made a triple substitution in the 60th minute. There were some ironic cheers as Miller was replaced by Kris Boyd, who had played an hour against Morton, while Charlie Adam and Andrius Velicka, who both scored in that Murray Park match, came on for Thomson and Darcheville.

Clyde: Hutton (Cherrie 46), McGregor, Ohensorge, Higgins, Numan (Trouten 34), Brown, Gibson, Kettlewell (Wilson 87), Clark (McGowan 65), Albertz (McSwegan 47), Laudrup (MacLennan 47). Subs not used: Connelly, Murch.

Rangers: McGregor, Whittaker (Dailly 76), Broadfoot, Weir, Papac; Novo, Hemdani (Emslie 74), Thomson (Adam 60), McCulloch; Darcheville (Velicka 60), Miller (Boyd 60). Subs not used: MacLachlan, Furman, G.Smith.