PEDRO Mendes spared Rangers from yet another penalty shoot-out last night when he scored a goal fit to win any match four minutes from the end of extra-time in an absorbing Co-operative Insurance Cup third-round tie.
The Portuguese midfielder's sumptuous strike, bent with the outside of his right foot beyond Partick Thistle goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey after receiving a pass from DaMarcus Beasley, booked a place in today's quarter-final draw for the Ibrox men and left
their First Division opponents crestfallen as a display laced with guts and guile proved in vain.
They had recovered from the loss of a spectacular opening goal by Kris Boyd to level through Stephen McKeown before half-time and looked every bit as likely as the SPL leaders to conjure up a winner.
Rangers, who were triumphant in penalty shoot-outs against Dundee United, St Johnstone and Fiorentina in cup competitions last season, looked set for another trial of nerve from the spot until Mendes' moment of magic kept them on track to defend the trophy.
The very presence of Boyd in the visitors' starting line-up might have been enough to instil a sense of foreboding among the Thistle players and supporters, given the striker's pivotal role in turning last season's Scottish Cup quarter-final between the teams in favour of Rangers.
It came as little surprise, therefore, that the most prolific forward in the Scottish game should make the breakthrough last night in a tie full of energy and enterprising football.
For all his reputation as a supreme poacher of goals, Boyd is also capable of scoring in the most spectacular fashion and he conjured up a strike last night which rivalled his memorable effort against Dunfermline at East End Park in the same competition two years ago.
It came after 25 minutes as Rangers appeared to be taking a grip of the match following a bright start by the home team.
Boyd had passed up an easier chance after just eight minutes, driving a low shot weakly into the clutches of Thistle goalkeeper Tuffey after a through ball from Steven Davis.
It was the impressive Davis who provided him with the far more difficult opportunity which he duly converted in breathtaking fashion. The Northern Ireland international midfielder's floated crossfield pass picked out Boyd on the left of the Thistle penalty area. Boyd allowed the ball to drop over his shoulder before unleashing a ferocious left foot volley which left Tuffey grasping at thin air.
Rangers deserved their lead but far from damaging Thistle's morale, it merely sparked a compelling response from Ian McCall's men.
They almost equalised just two minutes later when McKeown turned smartly and hooked in a looping shot which was destined to drop under the crossbar until Neil Alexander leapt acrobatically to touch the ball over for a corner.
It was an impressive contribution from the goalkeeper as he looks to make the most of the unexpected opportunity to claim the position on a long term basis following Walter Smith's decision to drop Allan McGregor.
Alexander, however, was powerless to prevent Thistle cancelling out Rangers' lead in the 33rd minute. Simon Donnelly, providing experience and poise in the attacking third of the pitch, seized on an error by Kevin Thomson to set up another shooting chance for McKeown just inside the penalty area. This time, the midfielder's sweetly struck low shot beat the Rangers goalkeeper low to his right and nestled in the corner of the net.
Rangers should have regained the lead five minutes before half-time when Nacho Novo wastefully and wildly drove a shot over after being set up by Jean-Claude Darcheville.
There was a renewed sense of conviction about Thistle's play at the start of the second half and they managed to apply some sustained and often intelligent pressure on the Rangers defence. Kirk Broadfoot had to scramble the ball behind for a corner when a cross into the six yard box from the lively McKeown caused confusion in the visitors' ranks.
The cup holders gradually regained their composure and, with Davis continuing to prompt their best work from the middle of the pitch, managed to turn the tide.
As the prospect of extra time loomed larger, both teams made changes. Chris Turner replaced Mark Roberts for Thistle while Rangers introduced Beasley for the ineffective striker Darcheville.
It was Thistle who came closest to winning the tie in 90 minutes, however, with Alexander making a tremendous double save to deny David Rowson and then Turner in the closing stages. Novo fired a good chance over the top from Rangers in stoppage time but it would have been harsh on the home team if they had lost at that stage.
Partick Thistle: Tuffey, Storey, John Robertson, McKinlay, Twaddle, Rowson, McKeown (Chaplain 91), Maxwell, Roberts (Turner 71), Donnelly (Gray 98), Harkins. Subs not used: Hinchcliffe, Kinniburgh.
Rangers: Alexander, Broadfoot, Weir, Bougherra, Papac, Mendes, Davis, Thomson, Novo (Lafferty 111), Boyd, Darcheville (Beasley 72). Subs not used: McGregor, Edu, Dailly.
The full article contains 849 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
