Rangers squeaked past Queen of the South at Ibrox following an exciting Play Off Second Leg. They will now play Hibernian for the right to face Motherwell and gain promotion to the Premiership.
2-1 up on aggregate from the first leg, Rangers were heavily favoured coming into the contest, but Queens made them sweat when they took a 1-0 lead just before half time. With the away goal rule not in effect, this would have been enough for Extra Time and possibly penalties.
Rangers had come close on more than one occasion to taking the lead prior to Queens goal, but somehow had contrived to fail in converting their chances. On 35 minutes, Queens sprang a counter attack and Derek Lyle managed to head the ball past a despairing Cammy Bell to give the underdogs a surprising lead.
Queens were able to hold onto the lead as the half ended. The Rangers players were met with jeers and catcalls as they slouched off the pitch at the break. Despite the goal coming very much against the run of play, you had to wonder whether the players in Blue would have an answer to their predicament.
The answer was a muffled, rather than resounding, yes. But how nearly it was the opposite. With about an hour gone, Queens player Gavin Reilly found himself through on goal, with only Bell to beat. Horrifically for him though, his first touch was a despicably poor one and Bell gratefully collected it. A mere 2 minutes later, Rangers had the goal they needed.
In fairness to Rangers, the goal had been coming. Had Reilly been more fortuitous with his chance, it would have given Queens a genuinely shocking lead, as Rangers had been by fair the dominant side in the match. Despite missing some good chances, you always felt Rangers were capable of getting at least one, and get one they did courtesy of Lee Wallace.
Queens were most certainly gallant in defeat and deserve plaudits for pushing Rangers as they did. However, it is The Gers who will advance to face Hibs in the Semi Final.
Results this season suggest that Hibs would be favoured but, as history has taught us, a wise sage would never discount Hibs penchant for bottling big games As a browbeaten Hibee myself, I know all too well of Play Off pain when Hibs are the favoured side. The result with Hamilton last season still sticks in my craw.
If Rangers play like they did in the two legs with Queens, they should have more than enough to beat a Hibs side that fails to show up. Hibs will need to be at their best to get past the Glasgow Giants and earn a crunch game with The Well.
I hope, rather than expect, Hibs will be able to recall the great performances they’ve had against Rangers during the regular season and not be overawed by the occasion. I feel slightly more secure with Alan Stubbs behind the counter than I did when Terry Butcher was presiding over proceedings. But then again, that’s like saying I’d rather be at sea on a wooden raft instead of a Rich Tea biscuit.
One thing is for sure, the tie will be a tense and dramatic encounter. There is still plenty of promotion blood to be spilled this season. Both the match on Wednesday Night and Saturday Afternoon will be on BT Sport. Catch them if you get a chance!
Peace Out
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