Falkirk 3 - 2 Rangers: Fantastic Falkirk lift themselves off the canvas to humble Rangers

Falkirk: McGovern, Duffie, Dods, Wallace, Scobbie, Bennett, M Millar, Weatherston, Sibbald, El Alagui, J Fulton. Subs: Bowman, Alston, D Fulton, Graham, R Millar.

AN incredible five-goal thriller saw Falkirk snatch a famous win over holders Rangers in the Scottish Communities League Cup last night. Despite having earlier managed to let slip a two-goal lead, Steven Pressley’s side gained victory with an injury-time winner from former Celtic midfielder Mark Millar. All the goals were scored in a remarkable second half, but it was the final ten minutes which really saw the game ignite.

Late headers from Dorin Goian and Nikica Jelavic brought Rangers level after Moroccan striker Farid Al Alagui had given Falkirk a two-goal cushion with two headers of his own. With extra-time looming, and Rangers sensing they had come back from the brink, Falkirk seized a deserved victory courtesy of an injury-time free-kick winner from Millar. Rangers goalkeeper Neil Alexander could not keep out his 20-yard strike and Falkirk managed to hold out for the few seconds that were left. Rangers will reflect on what a difference four days make after succumbing to the kind of inspired performance they themselves posted on Sunday againstCeltic. Falkirk emerged after the interval like a team possessed.

McCoist made four changes to the side who eventually swept past Celtic on Sunday, with the most significant switch being Alexander’s inclusion at the expense of Allan McGregor in goal, who was on the bench. After the teams united at the start in a minute’s silence for Derek Grierson, who tasted success with both Falkirk and Rangers in the 1950s, it was a slow, cagey opening, distinguished only by two long-range efforts from the returning Lee McCulloch. Under a heavy downpour, the home team were far from under siege and had a handy outlet in Craig Sibbald, their 16 year old winger, who looked anything but overawed. Indeed, the home side came closest to opening the scoring in the first half following a corner after 35 minutes. The ball fell kindly for El Aguiri, who thumped it towards goals. Fortunately for Rangers Gregg Wylde was perfectly positioned to take the force of the effort in his midriff, with the rebound then sent over the bar by Rhys Bennett.

Grumbles and groans were heard from the away supporters as Rangers struggled to break down their in-form opponents. The volume of this discontent rose a few decibels four minutes before half-time as Millar broke from midfield and played in Dave Weatherston. He had to check back on himself as Rangers re-grouped and his chipped effort was not too far away from dipping beneath Alexander’s bar. The score remained goalless at half-time but that so nearly changed just six minutes after the interval when the impressive Millar tried his luck from 20 yards. The Falkirk fans had just finished taunting Alexander with “You’re Supposed to be a Sub” when the goalkeeper proved his worth to Rangers, scrambling to tip Millar’s effort, which had taken a considerable deflection off Carlos Bocanegra, wide of the post.

Jelavic’s introduction for the ineffective David Healy after 55 minutes was indicative of the rising anxiety in the visitors’ camp, and Falkirk soon proved why Rangers were right to be worried. Just three minutes later Kieran Duffie took advantage of a remarkable amount of space down the Rangers left to chip in a cross. Although Al Alagui was heavily out-numbered in the six-yard box he rose highest to head into the net. McCoist reacted immediately, sending on another high-quality reinforcement in Naismith, who replaced the disappointing Alejandro Bedoya. His first contribution was to hit a post with a drive afterJelavic’s lay-off, and then, minutes later, his headed flick wasbrilliantly tipped over the bar by McGovern. It felt like the oppositeto the Old Firm game. Rangers had got worse since half-time rather thanbetter, and the visiting fans let them know it.

The feel-good vibes generated by the weekend’s win over Celtic were now well and truly extinguished, and Falkirk ensured this was so with asecond after 73 minutes. Sasa Papac’s run into the box was halted and Falkirk quickly broke, through first Weatherston and then Sibbald. The teenager showed maturity beyond his years as he waited for the right moment to cross, and when he did Al Alagui again made the most of Rangers’ defensive frailty. The striker only had to beat Wylde in the air on this occasion and did so with ease. The Falkirk fans in the home end had again enjoyed a ring-side view. However, they endured a stressful finale after Goian pulled one back with a header, after a Whittaker cross. And then, with four minutes left on the clock, Jelavic brought Rangers level with another header, after Wylde had picked him out. That they were on the verge of taking Rangers to extra-time did not feel like anything to celebrate for the home supporters, and, incredibly, they didn’t have to settle for this meagre reward.

Naismith up-ended the Fakirk substitute Blair Alston just outside the box. Millar took the kick and Alexander fumbled the ball onto the post, before seeing it land behind the line. The Falkirk fans again erupted. And on this occasion Rangers had no time left to snatch the lead away from them again.