ian1964 10,416 Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 .........with Celtic showdown one win away and a cup final they hope never to contest again. It's time for Rangers to take a break from slogging through the epilogue of League One and face two matches that could change the whole story of their season. On Sunday, Ally McCoist’s side travel to Easter Road to meet Raith Rovers in the final of the Ramsdens Cup, hoping to win a first knockout tournament under their manager. Six days later, they welcome Dundee United to Ibrox in the Scottish Cup last-four. The merits of overcoming United to reach the season showpiece at Celtic Park are undisputed. Should Rangers be able to raise their game against Jackie McNamara’s Premiership high-fliers – and they would have to do so substantially after grimly toiling to victory at Gayfield – it would be their greatest on-field victory since the financial carnage of 2012. What, though, of the Ramsdens Cup? Where does that rank in the overall scheme of things? After all, it’s a competition Rangers would hope never to be involved in again come their planned top-flight return. Any attempt to belittle the importance of the occasion is, however, met with strong resistance from within the squad. Take Cammy Bell, who performed heroics for Kilmarnock when they blanked out Celtic to attain League Cup glory in March 2012. The goalkeeper is adamant that success in Leith this weekend would mean every bit as much to him as that remarkable Hampden day. ‘Definitely,’ he insisted. ‘This is a cup final and it’s for the club I love, Rangers. It’s a massive day for me and all the boys. We’re really excited about it. ‘The manager spoke to us at the semi-final and told us we would never forget being part of a Rangers cup final. We want to go and win it. ‘Raith Rovers are a very good side, so it will be a tough match, but we’ll train hard all week and make sure we’re prepared.’ Whoever watched events in Arbroath on behalf of Raith would have returned an optimistic report to boss Grant Murray. It required an 87th-minute goal from Fraser Aird to maintain Rangers’ 100 per cent away record in the league after Jon Daly’s first-half header was cancelled out by Paul McManus – following a dire back-header from Seb Faure. ‘We do have to raise our game for the matches coming up,’ admitted Bell. ‘We’ll need to be on top of our game. Dundee United will be tough for us but it’s a challenge the boys need to stand up to.’ However, Arbroath goalscorer McManus questioned whether Rangers have what it takes to get the better of his former club Raith - never mind United. Had Alex Keddie not turn a golden injury-time opportunity over the bar from point-blank range, League One’s bottom side would have taken a point. ‘It’ll be close on Sunday,’ said McManus. ‘Raith are taking 3,000 fans and it will be a good experience for their players. But they won’t just be going to cherish the occasion – they’ll want to win the cup. The last couple of weeks, Rangers have been poor. That isn’t just down to them, other teams are putting up a fight. I think Rangers will struggle next week to be honest.’ McManus still harbours a grievance about Arbroath’s 3-2 defeat at Ibrox in January and was similarly miffed at a second narrow loss, sealed when Daly’s shot was diverted in by Aird. ‘The goal they got? Same old Rangers,’ he said. ‘When things aren’t going for them, they get a bit of luck. Not just off the linesmen and referees – it was a ricochet off one of their players and the ball goes in the back of the net. At the end, Rangers were hanging by a thread. ‘I was arguing with Lee McCulloch on the park because I felt he went down too easy. Tough times: Paul McManus expects Raith to test Rangers +5 Tough times: Paul McManus expects Raith to test Rangers ‘We played them off the park at Ibrox and got nothing. They got a late penalty through Jon Daly, who I felt went down easy then. ‘They won that game and decisions like that… we even saw it on Saturday with certain decisions down the side, when the flag never went up. We worked hard and never got anything out the game. It’s typical Rangers.’ Those jibes will not worry McCoist as much as the diagnosis on a hamstring strain that forced Daly’s late removal. Losing him for the forthcoming cup encounters would a huge blow. Ian Black and Nicky Law also missed out with ankle and back problems respectively, while David Templeton and Andy Little are also fighting for fitness. Greater long-term concern surrounds Lewis MacLeod. The Scotland under-21s midfielder will travel to England this week to discuss treatment options after a virus affected the muscles around his heart. While no timescale has been placed on his return, McCoist is optimistic the 19-year-old will make a full recovery. ‘Lewis’ spirits are high and he has the best people looking after him,’ said goalkeeper Bell. ‘He’ll come back, I’m sure he will. He’s a strong lad. He will be round about the lads on Sunday and hopefully he is back involved soon. We support each other no matter what is happening.’ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2593016/Rangers-face-season-defining-week-Celtic-showdown-one-win-away-cup-final-hope-never-contest-again.html#ixzz2xUsyODRf 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
the gunslinger 3,366 Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 I hope to contest it next year. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whosthedado 1,499 Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 I hope to contest it next year. I was thinking that when I read the OP As for the Arbroath guy talk about sour grapes! Taken your season ticket for Parkhead out your back pocket yet?! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calscot 0 Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 The Abroath guy sounds like he and his team need to "work hard" and play teams off the park in all their other games. I think it's probably more than luck that Rangers are an incredible 65 points ahead of them. Yeah, Arbroath are really the better side and just unlucky. I think it was Gary player who said of the same accusation, "Well, the harder I practice, the luckier I get." 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ser Barristan Selmy 222 Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 ‘The goal they got? Same old Rangers,’ he said. ‘When things aren’t going for them, they get a bit of luck. Not just off the linesmen and referees – it was a ricochet off one of their players and the ball goes in the back of the net. At the end, Rangers were hanging by a thread. He can't get away with that . We get just as many decisions that go against us, surely the favouritism myth has been put to bed now. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ser Barristan Selmy 222 Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 The Abroath guy sounds like he and his team need to "work hard" and play teams off the park in all their other games. I think it's probably more than luck that Rangers are an incredible 65 points ahead of them. Yeah, Arbroath are really the better side and just unlucky. I think it was Gary player who said of the same accusation, "Well, the harder I practice, the luckier I get." Incredible 65 points? Are Celtic an incredible 76 ahead of Hearts? Or 57 ahead of St Mirren? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
the gunslinger 3,366 Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 I will be honest I barely read past the notion we don't want to win the Ramsdens next year. Such inaccuracies put me off. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gribz 743 Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 So we get passed the first few rounds next season, and all of a sudden the semi finals contain Rangers, Hearts, Dundee and Dunfermline....and we wont want to win it? Having a laugh, of course we'd want it. We should be setting out for at least 2 trophies next season. If we get a good few cup draws like this season then no reason why we shouldn't be aiming for more. The Championship and Ramsdens should be the minimum like this season. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ser Barristan Selmy 222 Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 I hope to contest it next year. The article is saying we wouldn't want to be in it again once we get back up to the SPL, which is correct. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 0 Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Raith are taking 3000 fans, big wow 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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