JUNIORS ACTION
The Ibrox side warmed up for the first Old Firm showdown of the season with a thumping win over Linfield in a testimonial for Jamie Mulgrew. The gulf in class between the sides was the length of the water between Larne and Stranraer as Rangers ran riot, with Miller helping himself to four goals. New boy Philippe Senderos strolled through his debut against admittedly modest part-time opposition as Joe Garner scored his first goal – but only after emerging in the second half after suf fering a head knock inside six minutes. Niko Kranjcar gave a mid f ield masterclass and scored the best goal of the game, with Rob Kiernan also helping himself to a strike in the first half as Rangers geared up for their biggest test of the season. They were minus a string of top- team stars, including Lee Wal lace, Joe Dodoo, Jordan Rossiter and Danny Wilson, but there were comebacks after injury for Josh Windass – whose performance was labelled as ‘Lampard- esque’ by Miller – and Martyn Waghorn. They have played themselves into contention for the game at Parkhead and although most of the Rangers line-up next Saturday will never have performed at the venue, Miller reckons they have the experience and ability to hush one of the noisiest arenas in the game.
He said: “I hope the players rise to the atmosphere. It is a hostile environment but an atmosphere I thrive off.
“It is an opportunity to silence 55,000 fans and turn them. That is what I am sure a lot of teams coming to Ibrox say, that they have to try to turn the fans on us.
“We have the opportunity to do that in what is a fantastic atmosphere to play in.
“It is a great fixture to be part of. When I left Rangers five years ago I maybe never thought I’d ever have the opportunity to play in another one of these in a domestic league game.
“It is the kind of match you have to relish. I am sure the lads who have signed came to play in these games in, hopefully, a successful team.
“It is hard to prepare people for the derby. You can try to pass on the experiences you’ve had and let them know about the atmosphere but until you sample it right before that first whistle is blown, it is hard to explain.
“We had a good build-up with the win in the Cup semi last season. It will stand us in good stead. The experienced players who have come in have played in some huge games all over the world and that should help as well.
“That Cup semi-final, albeit at Hampden and in a di f ferent atmosphere, gave some of our younger lads a feel for the fixture.”
Rangers opened the scoring at new-look Windsor Park in just 11 minutes when Miller was on hand to sweep home after a Windass header had been br i l l iant ly blocked by former Ibrox keeper Roy Carroll.
Four goals in seven minutes midway through the first half then underlined a return to the high- tempo, quick passing style that won Rangers and Warburton so many admirers last season.
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DalkeithDa ................... 2 Bo’nessBo .................... 2
HoldersHold Bo’ness won the penalty shoo shoot-out to claim their place in the seconds round of the East of Scot Scotland Cup.
Co Colin Strickland put them in front in the second minute but Tyro Tyron McLean level led for Dalk Dalkeith in the 21st minute and Dary Daryl Devlin fired them in front just beforeb the break.
FraserFr Keast grabbed the equaliserequa for Bo’ness to take the gamegam to a penalty shoot- out whichwhic they won 5-3. Martin Shand led the way as Stonehaven stayed clear at the top of the McBookie. com Superleague at Glenury Park.
Shand struck early for Hive, opening the scoring after eight minutes before making it two nine minutes after the restart.
With 15 minutes to go, Rob Armstrong banged in number three before Marc Connolly managed to pull one back only for the home side’s trial ist substitute to add a fourth.