Tannochsidebear

Docherty on for last 6 mins replacing Jack.

Blackburns level has gone up significantly in the second half, they are pressing us back really high and really well, giving our fans in attendance some heart attacks but we are keeping calm and moving the ball out of defence very well, mostly! We are still managing to counter-attack them and look dangerous when we do so, but we havent been the better team in the second half, and have had far less possession than we would like or expect. Our levels have dropped massively from the first half, even before the subs came on, but we have been pretty poor since the changes were made.

More subs now..... Murphy coming on for Jones, 15 mins to go.

Yes, and none of the defenders covered themselves in glory for how they dealt with it either. A real team effort!

1-1 Sloppy defending allows an equaliser. Kamara gives the ball away at edge of our own box, nice 1-2 and while McGregor saves the first shot the rebound is a tap in.

Helander, Kamara, Morelos, Aribo on for Arfield, Defoe, Edmundson, Davis

Stunning save from the Blackburn keeper to deny a lovely Arfield shot from the edge of the box, tipped just round the post.

Stevie Smith

Good piece of defending by Edmundson there to prevent the equaliser. Second half has been quite stale so far, expect both teams subs to be coming on soon.

We are dominating possession and looking dangerous. Blackburn are fairly decent when they can get the ball into forward areas, and our defending has looked a touch rusty at times, perhaps understandably given the two CB's are probably our backups and this is also the first side who have tried to attack us in 5 games.

Goal!!!!!!!!! A fantastic cross from Jones right onto Defoe's napper and he doesnt miss the header from 6 yards. 1-0 Rangers.

A lovely flowing move that started deep inside our own box ends with a good save from a Defoe shot and after a bit of a stramash in the box Blackburn somehow get it cleared. Nearest we have come so far, and just after Blackburn had a good move that broke down with a poor final ball from their winger.

I dont think Edmundson and Katic have played together yet? Will be interesting to see how that partnership looks. I'm guessing Blackburn will bring a strong side (for them) and that this should be more competitive than the last 2 Sunday matches.

I dont see how else we can line up? What shape do you think that 6 will take? Jack Davis Ojo Arfield Jones Defoe Perhaps?

I notice only Helander on the bench so no Goldson today. I guess Helander will certainly play 30 mins at least. I wonder if Firth will get some gametime today?

That doesnt happen often R! I just picked up my phone when I sen it was 2.00 to see if the team news was in yet, and usually by the time I have done that you (or Ian sometimes) have already posted it! Thought you might be otherwise engaged!

Another strong side, another different midfield 3 and front 3 to have a look at. Hopefully we can continue the momentum with another decent performance, but more importantly, that everyone gets another good workout and nobody gets injured.

The best player I have ever seen play for us, he simply IS the Messiah, and will be for the rest of my Rangers supporting life I am quite sure.

A lot of players would still be sulking for not getting to hit the free kick and not bother celebrating or admitting that the other guy was right. Defoe's reaction is exactly what you want to see in a professional, and a team player first and foremost. I hadnt seen that before, but it sums him up quite well.

I was hoping the second leg was going to be moved to the Tuesday but it seems not. I'm definitely with @Rousseau on this one, crushed to a pulp in the first leg!

As usual a honest reaction interview from SG, and he nailed the first half for me, we were too safe, too square, too boring. Much improved in second half with more off the ball running into spaces, more forward passes into dangerous areas, more overlapping, a really good watch in second half for what was effectively a bounce game against an amateur side. Same again the next two Thursdays please!

I hope nobody has paid for flights to Lux. Cork now 2-0 up in 2nd leg.

Team news is out and 9 changes wes polster edmundson goldson Halliday aribo kamara Docherty hastie stewart Morelos

Yes I will accept all that, we were running on empty leading up to the break. But we were most certainly still in the title chase at that stage, and lost the title in the second half of the campaign with no Euro games to contend with.