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Rangers ease to 4-2 victory over Old Firm rivals in Glasgow Cup

Rangers FC 4

McPake 7, 42, 87, Kennedy 70

Celtic FC 2

McGrath 44, Robertson 87

Josh McPake starred as Rangers avenged last weeks 5-2 defeat with a comfortable win over Celtic.

McPake with a hat rick and a superlative free kick from Kai Kennedy eased the Gers to a victory in the Old Firm Derby.

A goal just before half time from Kiaran McGrath gave Celtic a lifeline as they went in 2-1 but Rangers became more comfortable in the second half and took control of the match, before a consolation penalty from Scott Robertson made the scoreline more respectable.

Celtic actually started on the front foot but they were unable to break down the structure of the Rangers defence. Rangers took the lead on the counter after a well weighted ball over the top was taken down well from McPake who took it round Liam Hughes and tapped it into the empty net.

That goal gave Rangers the nous to push on and try to get their second but apart from a couple of half chances they were unable to get many shots off. Their best chance came from Nathan Patterson but his long ranger was always rising. 

The light blues were the able to get their second of the game after McPake was able to capitalise on some poor play from Jack McDowall, and some very good pressing from Adedapo Medude, to finish well into the far corner.

Celtic were given a lifeline and it came with a bit of luck. After some pinball in the penalty area the ball fell to McGrath on the edge of the box who volleyed but it took a wicked deflection and wrong footed Budinauckas to go in at half time 2-1.

Rangers came out the second half the better of the two teams as they were looking to wrap the game up, but it was Celtic who had the first chance of the half when Barry Coffey was played through one on one with the keeper but his shot was just wide when he really should have scored.

They were made to regret that as minutes later Rangers doubled their advantage and it was Kennedy with a wonderful free kick as he got it up and over the wall right into the top corner giving Hughes no chance.

The game was well and truly wrapped up when McPake got his hat trick. It came after a wonderful switched ball from Matt Yates to McPake who touched the ball well and chipped it over the on-rushing keeper.

Celtic got their consolation after a rash challenge from Patterson on Dylan Forrest gave the referee no choice but to point to the spot. It was down to Scott Robertson who calmly slotted the ball beyond the keeper.

Overall Rangers were able to learn from their mistakes after last weeks game and they were able to effectively nullify the threat of Celtic's young starlet Karamoko Dembele, as he was by far the best player last week at Lennoxtown.



Rangers FC
Celtic FC
1. Lewis Budinauckas
2. Nathan Patterson
3. Zac Buttersworth
4. Ben Williamson
5. Daniel Finlayson
6. Kyle McClelland
7. Josh McPake
8. Murray Miller
9. Adedapo Mebude
10. Ciaran Dickson
11. Kai Kennedy
12. Jay Mack
14. Harris O'Connor
15. Ryan Muir
16. Euan Deveney
17. John Balde
18. Matt Yates
21. Jay Hogarth
1. Liam Hughes
2. Dylan Forrest
3. Andy Kerr
4. Jack McDowall
5. Liam Morrison
6. Paul Kennedy
7. Brody Paterson
8. Barry Coffey
9. Kiaran McGrath
10. Scott Robertson
11. Karamoko Dembele
12. Josh Jack
13. Joshua Bradley Hurst
14. Christopher McQueen
15. Ewan Otoo
16. Scott Cusick
17. Owen Moffat
18. Michael Sparkes
Star Player
Rangers FC
Celtic FC
Josh McPake Not only was it his hat trick that won he game for Rangers but generally he was the best player on the park. His pace, power and dribbling skill didn't give the Celtic backline a moments peace for the entire game.
Kiaran McGrath. He was able to give the away side a route into the game jus before half time with a lucky gol but he did well to make his own luck.
Magic Moment
Rangers FC
Celtic FC
Kai Kennedy It was a wonderful free kick and also that was the goal that was able to wrap the game up for Rangers.
Kiaran McGrath. His goal was lucky but he did well to make his own luck as the show as hit with such power that it was able to deflect in.
Club Views
Rangers FC
Celtic FC
This win was massive for Rangers as now they have a wonderful chance of qualifying but they rely on Celtic now beating Queens Park but Rangers have to defeat Partick Thistle to have any chance of qualifying fro the final.
Celtic will be gutted that they were beaten by their massive rivals but in the grander scheme of things the defeat doesn't effect Celtic's chances of qualifying.

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