Alex McLeish took charge of what will surely be his last SPL game in charge of Rangers today and watched as his team let a two goal lead slip to SPL new boys Falkirk.
Just when you thought Rangers’ season couldn’t get worse, this happens. Two goals up and Rangers at last looking like breaking their bad run of form and out of nowhere Falkirk storm back with two goals and earn themselves a point.
This draw means that Rangers have extended their unbeaten run to 9 in a row and it has also resulted in Rangers dropping down to 5TH PLACE and are now behind Kilmarnock as well Hibernian, Hearts and Celtic.
Another bad result next week away to Kilmarnock could see them drop down to the bottom six and FIVE POINTS behind Kilmarnock, a position which a two or three months ago was unthinkable but is now reality.
McLeish will take charge of the game against Inter on Tuesday and this is almost certain to be his last game in charge and unbeliveably the game could see the SPL strugglers become the first Scottish team to qualify from the Champions League group stages.
Rangers took the lead in 31st minute of the game against Falkirk and they had Bairns defender Craig Ireland to thank as he turned a Thomas Buffel shot into his own net. The lead was doubled early in the second half thanks to a Peter Lovenkrands penalty and Rangers seemed to be in control of the game.
BUT Falkirk who staged a superb comeback from 2-0 down against Hibs a couple of weeks ago again performed miracles. They pulled two goals back in two minutes in the 69th and 71st minutes, Gow and Moutinho the scorers.
Those two goals earned a point for the away team and leaves Rangers in a real mess and the best chance of European qualification coming in the Scottish Cup.
The team and the manager were booed off the pitch and quite rightly so. Some fans even staged a protest after the game and want McLeish out NOW.
Next up for Rangers, Inter Milan and I think I speak for a lot of people when I say I fear the worst for them.
Rangers: Waterreus, Hutton, Andrews, Kyrgiakos, Murray, Burke, Ricksen, Malcolm, Lovenkrands (McCormack 76), Thompson, Buffel (Jeffers 65). Subs Not Used: Klos, Pierre-Fanfan, Namouchi, Smith, N’Guessan.
Falkirk: Glennon, Lawrie, Ireland (McPherson 39), Rodrigues, Milne, Moutinho (O’Neil 76), Scally, Latapy, Santos, Duffy, Gow. Subs Not Used: Ferguson, McStay, McBreen, Mesaoudi, Allison.
Ref: I Fyfe
Manager Rating
Alex McLeish 1/10 – Time to go.
Opponent Rating
John Hughes 8/10 – Great fightback by his team.