This evening Rangers host St
Mirren for the first time in over three years – a comfortable 3-1 victory was
had in April 2012, during the truly dark days of admin in Rangers’ modern
history.
Mirren for the first time in over three years – a comfortable 3-1 victory was
had in April 2012, during the truly dark days of admin in Rangers’ modern
history.
The bitter irony is this will be
the first league meeting between the two not to have taken place in Scotland’s
top flight, and thanks to the fall of both sides sees them vying with Hibs to
get back to where, truthfully, all three belong.
the first league meeting between the two not to have taken place in Scotland’s
top flight, and thanks to the fall of both sides sees them vying with Hibs to
get back to where, truthfully, all three belong.
St Mirren, of course, have been
relegated from Scotland’s
top flight more than once, and there have long been subplots in encounters
between the two.
relegated from Scotland’s
top flight more than once, and there have long been subplots in encounters
between the two.
For example, on Saturday 12th
1989 August St Mirren midfielder Kenny McDowall took advantage of a goalkeeping
mishap by England’s
Chris Woods in the home defence to scramble home the messiest goal from one
yard and give the Buddies a shock victory on that opening day of said season.
1989 August St Mirren midfielder Kenny McDowall took advantage of a goalkeeping
mishap by England’s
Chris Woods in the home defence to scramble home the messiest goal from one
yard and give the Buddies a shock victory on that opening day of said season.
And of course, as we know, McDowall
not only went onto Celtic’s coaching staff, but transferred to Rangers’,
becoming back room staff then assistant, then, famously, reluctant head coach.
not only went onto Celtic’s coaching staff, but transferred to Rangers’,
becoming back room staff then assistant, then, famously, reluctant head coach.
Another is the recent events
which saw a ‘transfer agreement’ allow Murray Park
graduate Calum Gallagher switch from Ibrox to St Mirren Park just days before
the opening fixture of the season between the two.
which saw a ‘transfer agreement’ allow Murray Park
graduate Calum Gallagher switch from Ibrox to St Mirren Park just days before
the opening fixture of the season between the two.
Then we have Alan Gow, former
Rangers forward who never truly got a decent crack at Ibrox, and had something
of a nomadic career, but ended up in Paisley
and recently admitted the opening fixture he wanted was to visit Ibrox. With a
huge grin before the fixtures were announced he said:
Rangers forward who never truly got a decent crack at Ibrox, and had something
of a nomadic career, but ended up in Paisley
and recently admitted the opening fixture he wanted was to visit Ibrox. With a
huge grin before the fixtures were announced he said:
“I always enjoyed playing at Ibrox so I’d
probably like to begin against Rangers.”
probably like to begin against Rangers.”
And lastly (for now) we have St
Mirren’s manager Ian Murray being a former Rangers defender, sanctioning that
Gallagher transfer but being rather vocal in defending the Govan men and
transfer target Scott Allan over that particular saga.
Mirren’s manager Ian Murray being a former Rangers defender, sanctioning that
Gallagher transfer but being rather vocal in defending the Govan men and
transfer target Scott Allan over that particular saga.
So, there are certainly strands
of intrigue here.
of intrigue here.
Rangers go into their campaign to
win promotion on the back of a frankly excellent pre-season. Nine goals scored
over two competitive cup ties, and a decent workout v Burnley to add to the mix
all show plenty evidence Warburton’s men are well-equipped to handle what their
guests throw at them tonight.
win promotion on the back of a frankly excellent pre-season. Nine goals scored
over two competitive cup ties, and a decent workout v Burnley to add to the mix
all show plenty evidence Warburton’s men are well-equipped to handle what their
guests throw at them tonight.
Let us hope they more than handle
it.
it.
Not so sure I appreciate THEIR wind up tactics regarding the previous fixtures between the 2 clubs!!!
Going to be a interesting game. Not long to wait now. I'll go for 3-1 Rangers.
Mon the Bears.
Heard a Tim crack up the night when told the score 2 nite, I was in stitches! They keep telling us were no rangers, but he was certainly giving a f***.so much 4 no missing us .
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