McGregor saves face

Stewart Fisher

24 Jul 2011

ALLY McCoist may or may not go on to pick up many trophies as Rangers manager but this morning he will just be thankful that he didn't collect an unwanted statistic.

The programme set the scene for the new man's first match in charge by reminding us that only one Rangers boss, John Greig, had kicked off his career with a defeat, but that is exactly the fate McCoist would have been condemned to were it not for a combination of inspired goalkeeping from Allan McGregor, some sloppy Hearts finishing, and a second-half rally which led to a composed headed equaliser from Steven Naismith. New Ibrox owner Craig Whyte had unfurled the club's 54th championship flag pre-match but Rangers will have to raise the standard if they are going to make it No 55 next May.

Whyte didn't have much to do with securing that flag, but showed little shyness as he released it to a backdrop of cheers and fireworks in the centre circle. Pehaps he would have been more indifferent had he known how things were about to unfold. A one-all draw against one of their closest challengers is no disgrace, but this wasn't exactly the new era Rangers fans will have envisaged.

"We were disappointing in the first half," McCoist said afterwards. "We changed it a little bit at half time and I was pleased with the reaction. We could have nicked it although you could have called that an injustice."

McCoist had kept new signing Lee Wallace on the bench against his old club, preferring to give Kirk Broadfoot his chance at centre half in the absence of the suspended David Weir. His lack of joy in the hunt for a striker meant Steven Naismith started alongside Nikica Jelavic. But although the Croat displayed his trademark chest control and acrobatic volleying skills from a Steven Whittaker cross early on, Rangers' first-half attempts to get the ball into the former Rapid Vienna man's feet were far too predictable.

Also wearily predictable was the sight of Andy Webster leaving the action after just eight minutes. Hearts and the Scotland manager Craig Levein are both desperate for Webster to get a run of games, but the way he ambled over to the sidelines with a groin injury – a recurring problem – suggested otherwise. He, Mehdi Taouil, and the excellent David Templeton, forced off after 50 minutes with double vision, will be assessed before Thursday's visit to Hungary to take on Paksi SE.

Hearts generally made light of all the upheaval. Eggert Jonsson slotted in at centre half, Ian Black – charged with possession of cocaine in pre-season –engaged himself in feisty combat with Lee McCulloch – and Templeton, named after Ibrox hero Davie Cooper, gave Rangers the runaround.

He certainly shaded the other left winger on the field. Juanma Ortiz, Rangers' summer signing from Almeria, saw plenty of ball but found Ryan McGowan more than a match. McCoist was content with his new signing but it was hardly a surprise when he was replaced by Gregg Wylde with 15 minutes to play.

One charge from McGowan, on the other hand, led indirectly to the opening goal. Danny Grainger – Wallace's replacement at Tynecastle – speared over a superb corner which Obua rose unchallenged to direct into the net.

Suddenly the Ibrox side were on the ropes. Templeton sprung between both centre halves and forced a fine save from McGregor, then fed Obua who could only fire wastefully into the sidenetting.

McCoist's first half-time team talk as manager was made amid desperate circumstances. And had immediate results. Rangers went to a five-man midfield, retook the initiative and soon Marian Kello was saving well from a Broadfoot header and a toe-poke from stand-in skipper Steven Davis.

Ortiz finally showed signs of life, playing in a low centre which Jelavic dummied before Naismith fired over. Another cross from the Spaniard led to a headed chance for Naismith before the Ibrox club's best spell of the game culminated in the equaliser.

McGowan blotted his copybook by getting caught upfield and Sasa Papac exploited the space. The Bosnian's first cross was blocked but his second was perfect for Naismith, whose header went in off a post.

Obua stung McGregor's palms at one end, then Papac almost stole the points after a one-two with Naismith. But Hearts got their rewards. "I once came here and won 3-0 but this was as good a performance as that," Jefferies said.

Taken from the Herald