Ventura County Fusion 3-1 Rangers: Gers outclassed

Marius Zaliukas captained Hearts to their greatest moment in thrashing Hibs 5-1 in the 2012 Scottish Cup final, but he and Ian Black, below, are likely to play against the Jambos for Rangers.

Rangers made a stuttering start on the artificial 3G surface, with Jordan Vale putting the home side ahead four minutes from the break. The Ibrox side had several chances to equalise with Moshni, Boyd and McCulloch all going close but it was Fusion sub Ronnie Argueta who then took his chance, breaking the offside trap and rounding an exposed Bell to score Ventura’s second.

Moshni eventually did score with a header from an Aird corner to give Rangers a lifeline before Fusion’s Matt LaGrassa curled a stunning strike into the top corner to seal the home side’s 3-1 victory.

McCoist handed summer signings Darren McGregor and Marius Zaliukas starts with keeper Cammy Bell, Lewis Macleod, Nicky Law and Kenny Miller also in the starting line up. Kris Boyd, Sebastian Faure, Kyle Hutton and Nicky Clark all made appearances from the bench.

The result will not be the start Ally McCoist was looking for on their summer tour and even with the excuse of the artificial pitch causing the Scottish side all sorts of problems, the performance and loss to a fourth tier American side will leave McCoist with much to think about.