Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / SCOTTISH PREMIER
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  World Cup 2010 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

Saturday, 1 September 2007, 15:48 GMT 16:48 UK

Rangers 4-0 Gretna

By Clive Lindsay

Kris Boyd celebrates Rangers' opening goal Andy Webster scored on his debut as a lacklustre Rangers overcame a Champions League hangover to sweep aside Gretna.

The SPL newcomers gave the leaders some nervous moments before Kris Boyd's 20-yard free-kick deflected past keeper Greg Fleming after 37 minutes.

Webster, plagued by injury since signing from Wigan last season, headed in off the crossbar after 63 minutes.

Carlos Cuellar headed the third and Gretna's Aurelien Collin deflected in Jean-Claude Darcheville's cross.

Rangers' deadline-beating signing, Steven Naismith, had started on the bench before making his debut with seven minutes remaining.

Webster, Boyd and Daniel Cousin came in for David Weir, Brahim Hemdani and Darcheville following the Champions League qualifying victory over Red Star Belgrade.

MY SPORT: DEBATE

Collin, Chris Innes, Paul Murray and Nicky Deverdics were drafted into the Gretna starting line-up.

They took the place of Danny Grainger, Eric Paartalu, David Graham and the suspended Craig Barr.

The visitors were under pressure early on and a Cousin header deflected wide.

But the expected onslaught failed to materialise from the side who will soon face Barcelona, Stuttgart and Lyon in their Champions League group.

Gretna gave Rangers a few nervous moments in defence, with Murray squandering a chance to volley from in front of goal.

Andy Webster celebrates his goal

But, when Collin hauled down Cousin 22 yards out after 37 minutes, Rangers were presented with the chance to break the deadlock.

Barry Ferguson rolled the free-kick short to Boyd, whose low effort from 22 yards was deflected into the back of the net.

Rangers still failed to increase the tempo after the break, although Ferguson did threaten with a diving header sent wide from 16 yards.

But, just as Gretna threatened to battle back into the game, DaMarcus Beasley's corner found Webster and Fleming could only push the former Hearts defender's header in off the bar.

Cuellar headed home from an identical spot following a Ferguson free-kick.

And Darcheville quickly added the fourth when he got to the by-line and his cross-cum-shot spun over the line off Collin.


Rangers: McGregor, Hutton, Webster, Cuellar, Papac, Whittaker, Ferguson, Thomson, Beasley (Naismith 83), Boyd (Novo 76), Cousin (Darcheville 68).
Subs Not Used: Carroll, McCulloch, Shinnie, Fleck.

Goals: Boyd 38, Webster 63, Cuellar 81, Collin 83 og.

Gretna: Fleming, Cowan, Collin, Innes, Skelton, Jenkins (McLaren 76), Murray, Osman (Paartalu 86), Deverdics (Buscher 68), Yantorno, McMenamin.
Subs Not Used: Mathieson, Grainger, Graham, Hogg.

Booked: Collin, Osman, Yantorno.

Att: 49,689

Ref: M Tumilty




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Smith not accepting Euro excuse (01 Sep 07 |  Rangers )
Irons wants to ditch nice image (01 Sep 07 |  Gretna )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
BBC Sport club pages
Scottish FA
Your say - Fans Forum
BBC Sport Scotland
Live SPL coverage
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  World Cup 2010 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©