ONE down, two to go.
Rangers chalked off their 34th Championship fixture and passed another test against Dumbarton yesterday, and are now within touching distance of clinching second spot in the second tier.
With their promotion destiny in their own hands, manager Stuart McCall targeted a maximum nine points from their final hat-trick of fixtures this season to not only secure a play-off place but ensure they went into the end of season shoot-out in high spirits and fine form. A 3-1 win at the Rock ensured that goal was still achievable as they survived a scare and emerged deserved victors.
Rangers' record on the road in recent weeks, the victory over Hibernian aside, hasn't been the form of promotion candidates but, after shipping five points in six days away to Queen of the South and Livingston, there was a reason to celebrate on the bus journey home at last.
The 1-1 draw at the Energy Assets Arena in midweek was as disappointing as it was frustrating for McCall but the point earned could prove to be a priceless one come the culmination of the campaign. It was the one that took Rangers above Hibernian in the table and that advantage was extended yesterday as they moved four points clear of one of their promotion rivals. This was a must-win and McCall and his players delivered when it mattered. The pressure is now on Alan Stubbs' side as they travel to West Lothian on the back of a Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Falkirk.
"I'll be there on Wednesday with my Livingston scarf on," McCall joked. "We played them and know what a tough game it will be. Hibs will be disappointed with what happened at Hampden but they'll now focus on promotion and we've got to focus on ourselves - we've got two big games left and want to win both."
The end result was all that mattered for Rangers but the afternoon got off to an auspicious start when Mark Wilson finished well at the back post inside two minutes to give Ian Murray's side a surprise lead. It was the start the Sons dreamed of, but it gave Rangers plenty of time to mount a comeback. The response from the Light Blues was immediate, the final outcome never really in doubt.
"We got off to a great start and showed our intention with our full-back getting on the end of a cross to score with a great strike," Murray said. "But in a way we probably scored too early and it was always going to be difficult for us to hold on. I'm just disappointed for Mark and the lads that we couldn't hold on after half-time."
Rangers made the most of the benefit of having time on their side as the points were secured thanks to a fan favourite and an Ibrox kid who immediately endeared himself. Haris Vuckic made sure of the points with a trademark strike, cutting in from the flank and firing into the far corner, but it was Ryan Hardie who laid the foundations with his first two goals for the club.
With Kenny Miller out through a hamstring injury, McCall made a bold call to put Hardie in for his first start, especially with the likes of Kris Boyd and Dean Shiels available, but his faith was more than repaid.
His first goal owed as much to his pace and desire as his skill as he latched onto a Vuckic pass, eased away from Andy Graham and then converted at the second attempt after Danny Rogers, the Dumbarton keeper, got a touch on his initial effort.
If that was enough to make him the name on the lips of the Rangers support, his second will have them talking for some time as he showed technique and confidence to swivel and flick home a Lee Wallace cross and cap a fine performance. Hardie's efforts would get the acclaim they deserved five minutes from time as he was given a standing ovation and there will be more congratulations from his biggest fans to come.
"My family could not get here," Hardie said. "They tried to get tickets and couldn't - they even tried to get tickets for the home end. But they just could not get here.
"I texted them about 1.30pm to let them know I was starting but my mum and dad phoned to wish me luck. I come from Stranraer but I live here in digs but my family are down there."
By that time Hardie had taken the applause from the stands, the win was already secured for Rangers. The score line could have been more flattering as late chances were spurned but it was about the three they did take and the three points they earned that ensured this was a successful day all round.
Dumbarton: Rogers; Taggart, Graham, Findlay, Wilson; Agnew; Kirkpatrick, Fleming, Gilhaney (Linton), Easton (Megginson); Campbell
Subs not used: Ewings, Petrie, Lightbody, McCallum
Booked: Megginson, Graham
Goals: Wilson 2
Rangers: Bell; McGregor, McCulloch, Zaliukas, Wallace; Vuckic (Black), Law, Murdoch, Walsh; Hardie (Gallagher), Clark
Subs not used: Simonsen, Boyd, Shiels, Mohsni, Crawford
Booked:
Goals: Hardie 10,48; Vuckic 52
Man of the Match: Haris Vuckic
Ref: Craig Thomson
Att: 1776
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