Rangers deliver Hamilton a horrible 7-1 defeat

Following last weeks disappointing loss to Hearts, Walter Smith's Rangers responded with a rousing 7-1 shocker over Hamilton Accies. Sarcasm aside, the match started well for Hamilton but went downhill fast. Two minutes after the start Chris Swailes' cross was re-directed in by James McArthur to give the Accies the lead. The carnage began at the eleventh minute as Kenny Miller picked up a loose ball at the edge of the box and sent the ball to the back of the net. The match stayed close with only Kris Boyd's goal at the twenty-eighth minute on ledger to bring it to a 2-1 scoreline at the break. However with the re-start, the match turned into a one-sided affair with Kris Boyd scoring from the spot seven minutes in as Martin Canning was shown undeserved red-card. While I'm opening up a can of worms, quality unbiased decisions are important in the game and referee Calum Murray quick red-card was completely uncalled for. Down a man now, the dogs needed to be called off as Rangers as Kris Boyd completed his hat-trick two minutes past the hour with Steven Davis feeding him a pass with an open goal. The goal-fest continued in the final ten minutes as the Rangers padded their stats against a beaten team with Kyle Lafferty, Nacho Novo and Steven Davis adding their name to a 7-1 devastation of Hamilton.

Rangers v Hamilton Accies match preview

Following the tough loss to Hearts and the realization that the January transfer winter will have a foreboding financial side to it, Rangers welcome the Hamilton Accies to Ibrox. The SPL's early season swagger is long goal and they hold a glimmer of a one point advantage over St Mirren in the final spot. Walter Smith's Gers have yet to lose a match at Ibrox this season and with Celtic holding a seven point advantage, title hopes are slowly disappearing.

The Rangers are nearly fully fit and will have Steven Davis, Kenny Miller and Saša Papac back although Steven Naismith and Brahim Hemdani are still out. Hamilton manager Billy Reid will not have the services of Mark Corcoran but Simon Mensing returns from the sin-bin.

The Rangers are drifting in a peculiar place, both seven points ahead of Hearts and seven points behind Celtic and it is easy to be distracted. They must press for victories and wait patiently for every Celtic slip-up.

Walter Smith said of the todays match:

"What we need is consistency. We have had two poor performances - St Mirren and Hearts away - but otherwise we have played to a decent level."

"I would hope we get a reaction from the players and we need to have one. We have a good record at home and we have been playing well there so hopefully that will continue.

"We found ourselves seven points in front last season and missed out because of the number of games we had out so we know that reaching a level of consistency is what we need.

"The only people who are talking about the gap are Celtic. They know they will need to keep playing at a certain level and in fairness to them they have been extremely consistent.

"But I am more concerned about my own team."

Rangers advance in League Cup

Rangers advanced to the semi-finals of the League Cup with an very easy 2-0 stroll against the Hamilton Accies at Ibrox. Embattled striker Kris Boyd continued his goal scoring spree as he netted the opening goal five minutes before the half-hour mark, off a Jean-Claude Darcheville pass. The Gers doubled the margin five minutes after the break when a Steven Davis cross was headed in by Kyle Lafferty.

Without a single effort on Allan McGregor, the Rangers collected a easy victory and advance to the next round.

The Rangers return to SPL action this Saturday against Inverness Caley Thistle.

Rangers face Hamilton Accies in League Cup

After defeating Hamilton in league action 3-1 this Saturday, the Accies have a chance for pay-back as they head to Ibrox in the Scottish League Cup later today.

Maurice Edu is expect to take the place of Kevin Thomson who is doubtful with an ankle problem whilst the skipper Barry Ferguson will be held back till the weekend. The Accies will be without Mark McLaughlin to injury, with Martin Canning and Simon Mensing who is in the sin-bin.

In facing the Gers at Ibrox, Accie boss Billy Reid noted:

"We'll look forward to going to Ibrox for the first occasion for many a year and meet the challenge head on."

I will report on the match as it concludes.

Hamilton give the Rangers a scare

After nearly three weeks off the Rangers needed a bit of time to dust off the cob-webs before getting down to business against Hamilton. Spotting the Accies the opening goal, the Rangers came back with three unanswered strikes for a convincing 3-1 triumph.



The start was anything but clinical as Hamilton's Brian Easton flicked-on Alex Neil's free-kick five minutes shy of the hour in what can be described as dismal marking on a set-piece. However four minutes shy of the hour the Gers were awarded a penalty kick as veteran Mark McLaughlin was adjudged to pulling down Kenny Miller. The call will be considered as subjective by many however embattled Kris Boyd stepped up to the spot and calmly leveled the match. Staying within an unbiased opinion, five minutes after the break Rangers benefited from another dubious call as Kris Boyd was clearly offside on a Steven Davis cross before he headed it to the back of the net. With ten minutes remaining Nacho Novo, who contrary to his teammate Mr. Boyd, is anxious to wear the colours of beautiful Scotland, pounced on an unforced error to bring the match to its final 3-1 scoreline.

The Rangers and the Accies meet up this Tuesday in the Scottish League Cup at Ibrox.

Rangers - Hamilton Accies match preview

The three-week break in action is finally over as the Rangers face the Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park later today. Oddly enough it is the first of two match between both clubs in three days as they return to Ibrox in the Scottish League Cup on Tuesday.

Walter Smith will have Steven Whittaker, Lee McCulloch and Chris Burke returning from injury with captain Barry Ferguson nearing ready but unavailable for this match.

Commenting on the skippers return, Walter Smith said:

"Barry Ferguson's been a big factor in our team, so we look forward to him coming back.

The Accies are fully-fit from last weekend and after a great start to the campaign have suffered four straight losses. Conversely the Rangers will be looking to make up for lost time and competition within the squad for positions is becoming a heavy motivating factor.

Kris Boyd is angling in the media to be paired with Kenny Miller, noting:

"We have shown already this season that we can work well together as we both have different attributes."

"If we get the chance against Hamilton, I am sure we can show that again."

"It's down to the gaffer at the end of the day, but I just want the chance to show him what I can do."

"I don't mind who I am playing with as long as I am on the pitch.

"Obviously, I have not been involved as much as I would have liked recently, but it's up to me to change that by showing the manager how hungry I am day in, day out in training and in games."

"It's frustrating when you are sitting on the bench, any footballer will say that, but I am always confident I can score and hopefully I can do that this weekend against Hamilton."

"He has to pick the team and, if I am not part of that, it means I have to work harder and take my chance when it comes along."

"The last couple of weeks have been tough, but my decision has been made with regards to Scotland and all I want to do is keep my head down and work hard so that I can get back into the Rangers team," Boyd added.

"Hopefully, we can go one better this season by bringing the league trophy back to Ibrox."

While the club naturally will be slightly "off" from inactivity they are definitely ready to go on the attack.

I will report on the match as it concludes.