Kid Gloves – Rangers 5-0 Fraserburgh

By Lee ClarkRangers completed a hat-trick of dominant displays this week as they cruised into the next round of the Scottish Cup, seeing off a spirited Fraserburgh side 5-0 at Ibrox. Off the field, it had been a time shrouded in negativity for the light blues however Philippe Clement, making seven changes from Wednesday nights’ comfortable victory over Aberdeen, started strongly and although they huffed and puffed at times they eventually made light work of ‘The Broch’ who ran themselves into the ground in the opening 45 minutes and sit a modest ninth position in the Scottish Highland League.There had been much made of the crowd for today’s game and after Ibrox had seen around 10k empty seats for two league games in a row, with many Rangers fans speculating that the actual number attending the game (from the official attendance of 36276) would be one of the lowest in many years however, that thankfully never materialised as a crowd of around 28k-30k, including a very healthy contingent (of around 1800) from the North East roaring on the away team, enjoyed the action.Mason Munn became only the second ever 18 year old goalkeeper to play a competitive match for Rangers after he was named in the starting XI for the tie. One of four teenagers to feature today, he is an imposing figure standing around 6’ 4’’ however the young Northern Irishman couldn’t quite take the record that has stood since 1964 after Andy Bruce (also 18 at the time) made his debut against Hibernian, falling short by just 25 days. For Phil Clement it was the perfect way, and opportunity to prepare for Thursday night’s huge Europa League game at Old Trafford but, despite the aforementioned seven changes, this was far from a makeshift Rangers side with first team regulars Barron and McCausland being given a chance to shine alongside youngster Zak Lovelace with Bajrami and Diomande also in from the start.  Captain James Tavernier also made a welcome return to the starting XI following on from his midweek cameo, along with last season’s leading goal scorer Cyriel Dessers, replacing the outstanding Igamane up front who was given a well-deserved rest.Prior to the match Rangers boss Clement had been full of praise for the much maligned Dessers, talking positively of his attitude and application within the dressing room, something I don’t believe has ever been in question. What has been in question though is the big Nigerian’s wild inconsistency when it comes to composure in front of goal. Scoring a fantastic goal midweek against Aberdeen the Rangers number 9 continued to frustrate the home crowd as he somehow contrived to put it wide from only 3 yards out from a Ross McCausland cut back after great pass from Bajrami. It was an incredible miss and another to forget however he didn’t need to wait long to redeem himself as he nodded ‘Gers in front from a Tav corner on 27 minutes to make it 36 from 87 appearances. A fine return by anyone’s standards.Rangers were well on top at this stage, with Jefte and McCausland going close and a 25 yard screamer of a strike from Tavernier clipping the crossbar as Rangers looked to put the game out of sight before half-time. Suddenly it’s almost 1-1 after an error from Mason Munn, having barely touched the ball up to this point in the easiest debut he could’ve hoped for, seen his pass to Tavernier come up woefully short and Scott Barbour shot just wide. My initial reaction is that Barbour really should have done better as he nipped in and shot for goal from 12 yards however seeing it back Munn actually does well to recover and whilst he did get a little fortunate it was his minor touch, as the ball whistled through his legs that diverted the ball off target and inches wide. It was a massive let off for Munn and Rangers who were just given a little nudge of a reminder that this was still 11 v 11 and there was a job to do.Into the second half, it was more of the same as Rangers dominated possession but, struggled to break through a packed Fraserburgh defence that were getting deeper and narrower by the second. This was to their detriment though as on the 51st minute it was 2-0. Great work down the right hand side from Tavernier and Diomande found Bajrami in the box and it was his lovely weighted pass that allowed Clinton Nsiala to bullet into the bottom corner, via a deflection from the corner of the box. Nsiala has made a composed start to life in the Rangers first team and whilst he has looked raw at times, this goal will do his confidence no harm at all.The floodgates appeared to open at this stage as Bajrami claimed another assist, cutting back for Dessers to show excellent composure and clever feet in the 6 yard box to slot home after Tavernier missed his kick. 57 minutes gone and it was 3-0. This could be a long final 40 minutes for the weary visitors as gaffer Clement freshened things up introducing another debutant and prolific B Team goalscorer Findlay Curtis along with Bailey Rice and Ridvan. This looked very much a makeshift side now, with Tavernier going to centre half and Ridvan taking up the still unfamiliar right back position where he has recently deputised for the Gers Captain.Of the three substitutes it was to be debutant Curtis who would make the biggest impact as his two attempts at goal illustrated the confidence he has shown for the second string and it was his superb vision that led to Rangers fourth goal. Dropping into the left side the youngsters lovely slide rule pass released Dessers, who cut back for McCausland to fire home at the back post. It’ll go down as an assist for Dessers but, this one really was all about Curtis and whilst no one is getting carried away at this stage, it was great to see a young player come into the first team and play with the sort of freedom that has alluded some of the regulars for large parts of the season.  Definitely one to watch, this lad.Rangers seen out the final moments of the match in comfortable fashion with Rice and Curtis again going close but, there was time for Dessers to finally secure a hat trick in Rangers colours. It had looked like it wouldn’t happen for Cyriel after squandering a brilliant double chance only minutes before, firstly being denied by a last gasp tackle before seeing his diving header come back of the post. He was to have the last word however as in the last minute of the match he was once again played in behind by Curtis, to round the keeper and finish brilliantly at the tightest of angles and round off a satisfactory days work.After the match the manager was pleased with his teams’ professional performance, describing it as hungry and he was asked about the impact of his younger players, particularly Findlay Curtis: ‘Two really good passes from Findlay and he is one of the guys who is developing really well and someone who has trained with us a lot over the last couple of months. But there are others also. Zak (Lovelace) is just coming back from a long injury, Bailey Rice is doing really good things in training  but, there are also players such as Paul Nsio who wasn’t involved today but, is making really god progress so it’s about all of them. They need to keep working hard, to be hungry and to show the desire to become better and to push others and make next steps just like Clinton (Nsiala) is doing.’ Rangers now travel to face Manchester Utd at Old Trafford this coming Thursday before another tricky away tie at Dundee Utd a week today.