Inverness 0 Rangers 3: Mendes magic provides the spark for Rangers

Published on Sunday 4 January 2009 20:34

RANGERS yesterday displayed the kind of new year resolution they will require to maintain a credible title challenge as they trimmed Celtic's lead at the top of the SPL to five points.

Their victory over Inverness was far less convincing than the final scoreline suggests, Walter Smith's team grateful to goalkeeper Allan McGregor for several fine saves at key moments of a match which seldom reached any heights.

One glorious exception to the overall mediocrity, however, was Pedro Mendes' fabulous opening goal for Rangers at the start of the second half. It laid the platform to secure three crucial points which were finally sealed in the closing stages when Kris Boyd struck twice to reach the 20-goal mark for the season.

After a highly promising first half, Inverness were consigned to a sixth consecutive defeat which leaves them at the bottom of the SPL and intensifies the pressure on manager Craig Brewster. Lack of a cutting edge is their biggest problem and one which will have to be addressed in the current transfer window if they are to avoid relegation at the end of the campaign.

It was a day which brought considerable relief to Smith after last week's Old Firm defeat. He made two changes to the side beaten by Celtic, with Madjid Bougherra returning to the back four at the expense of Steven Whittaker who was relegated to the substitutes' bench as Kirk Broadfoot was shuffled into the right-back position. Charlie Adam did not even have the compensation of a place among the replacements as he was replaced in the problematic left midfield slot by Nacho Novo.

The little Spaniard has been the subject of speculation linking him with a move away from Rangers this month, but appeared as eager as ever to make an impression when handed an increasingly rare starting appearance. It was from a corner won by Novo in the opening exchanges that the first opportunity of the afternoon fell to the visitors, Bougherra driving a shot wide of Ryan Esson's right-hand post.

Inverness, lining up with Don Cowie operating just behind lone striker Andrew Barrowman in a fluid 4-4-1-1 formation, responded swiftly and impressively to enjoy the best moments of a generally low-grade first half.

A poor first touch from Iain Vigurs robbed the young midfielder of a glorious chance to put the home side in front, Broadfoot able to slide in and make a crucial saving tackle inside the penalty area.

It was Vigurs, however, who was proving to be the most threatening player afield and he was unfortunate not to make the breakthrough in the 17th minute. He rose well to meet a fine cross from Roy McBain, only to see his close-range header brilliantly parried by McGregor. The ball rebounded kindly to Vigurs but his follow-up shot was blocked by Bougherra.

There was a growing sense of impatience and discontent among the travelling supporters as Inverness continued to make a mockery of their recent form and press confidently in search of an opener. Cowie, in whom Rangers have been credited with an interest, forced another decent save from McGregor with a 20-yard shot which had the 'keeper scrambling low to his right to divert to safety.

A volley straight at Esson from Steven Davis, following some neat build-up play from Mendes and Kenny Miller, sparked a brighter spell for Rangers amid the grim conditions made even bleaker by a first-half power cut at the stadium. Had the match not kicked off at 12.30pm, there may even have been a threat of abandonment.

Barry Ferguson, edging his way closer to optimum form by the week, lit up proceedings with a sumptuous through ball which set Miller free on the right, the striker's cross volleyed over by Boyd.

Rangers, however, finished the first half on the back foot and relieved to be on level terms. Vigurs flashed another 20-yard shot inches wide of McGregor's right-hand post, before Barrowman's flick allowed Cowie to take the ball around the Rangers 'keeper but at too acute an angle to direct his shot on target.

Jeered off by their own supporters when the half-time whistle sounded, Rangers regained their favour in the best and most spectacular way possible just 24 seconds after the restart.

With power restored and the floodlights on, Novo burst clear down the left and drove the ball low across the edge of the penalty area. It was collected by Davis who immediately laid it into the path of Mendes. The Portuguese international assessed his options before curling a magnificent right-foot shot beyond the helpless Esson's left hand into the top corner of the net.

It was a stunning blow for Inverness who must have been sensing the prospect of taking something from the match on the strength of their first-half efforts. Prompted by Cowie, they tried to deliver a quick riposte and Barrowman might have done better than head a cross from the midfielder over the top.

Rangers appeared anything but comfortable with their slender lead but the outcome of the match was effectively decided with ten minutes remaining when play swung from one penalty area to the other in dramatic fashion.

McGregor was forced to make another decent save when he beat out a powerful shot from Barrowman with Broadfoot stepping in to complete the clearance and begin a swift counter attack which led to Rangers' second goal. It was Davis who raced down the right before playing in Boyd who ignored offside claims from the home players and drove a low right-foot shot emphatically beyond Esson.

Boyd added some flattering gloss to the final scoreline for his team and further improved his own impressive goals tally for the season when he headed in a cross from substitute Chris Burke from close range.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Allan McGregor (Rangers)

The goalkeeper has struggled to regain his best form since his return to the side earlier this season, but was the most influential player in the Rangers side yesterday. He made crucial stops at significant moments of the match and, but for him, Rangers would have started the second half facing a deficit they may have struggled to make up.