Rangers’ late shift pays off
● Extra-time goals from Candeias and Herrera seal place in Betfred Cup semi-finals after Thistle fightback
Rangers booked their place in the semi-finals of the Betfred Cup but required extra time to see off Partick Thistle at Firhill.
Goals in the first period of the additional 30 minutes from Daniel Candeias and Eduardo Herrera won the tie for the visitors. For Candeias, it was atonement after he had missed a glorious chance to win the game in the regulation 90 minutes.
It was a far from vintage showing from the Ibrox side but manager Pedro Caixinha was pleased enough and took particular satisfaction in the performance of young substitute Ross Mccrorie, who made his first-team debut when he replaced the injured Bruno Alves after 76 minutes.
“I really liked the performance. We created chances to kill the game earlier,” Caixinha said. “Daniel had a chance but we had two injuries and four subs and the team shook a bit.
“Ross and Lee Hodson did well when they came on. In Ross, you have the future for this country at centre-half – I have no doubts about that.
“The best moment for us – in a difficult moment – was the first half of extra time when we killed the game. We looked a totally different team.
“We need to cool down sometimes but we showed quality at times. People talk about out fitness but my players ran and ran and ran and ran like the rabbits with the batteries!”
Rangers, having led through Carlos Pena’s 55th-minute headed opener, were forced into extra time by Kris Doolan’s last-minute equaliser for Thistle. But the two quick goals in the first half of extra time took the momentum away from the home side and secured Rangers’ place in the last four.
Caixinha must now wait to see the extent of the injuries suffered by Alves and new boy Declan John, who also went off in the second half. With Celtic to come on Saturday and captain Lee Wallace already ruled out with a groin problem, Rangers’ defensive options now suddenly look limited for the Ibrox clash.