Rangers 1 Dunfermline 0
Wednesday, 14th Apr 1999SPL:
Giovanni van Bronckhorst (37) 1-0:
Dick Campbell brought Richard Huxford into the team at left back to look after the trouble called Andrei Kanchelskis and Andy Smith was made a substitute as Scott Thomson lined up on the right flank of midfield. The only other change from the starting team at Pittodrie was, back to fitness, Andy Tod replacing Jamie Squires.
Dunfermline were presented with a chance in the opening minute before Lourenzo Amoruso’s concentration was warmed up but David Graham failed to secure the dream start. Rangers then deposited themselves in the Dunfermline half for a spell McCann getting away from Marc Millar an effort that bounced nicely for him only to see his shot crash off the crossbar
Guivarc’h pathetically failed to sink two glorious chances as Graham had a header saved at the other end and Scott Thomson sent a 36 minute drive wide of the target. A minute later the stadium erupted the music started up and the Pars fans sat quiet. Yes Rangers scored. Huxford was caught standing too far off Kanchelskis and the Soviet ran through between him and Dolan to dispatch a neat ball to Van BRONCKHORST who slotted low past Butler’s near post.
Half time: Rangers 1 Dunfermline 0
Into the second period and the half was only 8 minutes old when its strong physical element continued with Amoruso felling David Graham Referee Willie Young deemed the offence to be a high kick and took no action against the Italian who had already collected a yellow card in the first half Andy Smith came on for Graham 12 minutes later as the young striker was clearly dazed.
Marc Millar caused a fright with a short pass back to Butler but Dunfermline were giving Rangers some worries. Driving goalward Scott Thomson was brought down by Rod Wallace and the Englishman received a yellow card. There was clearly a shoot on sight policy and the attempts from Dair, Dolan and Petrie were no danger to the inside of the nets. The Pars post was rattled by a Hendry header but Dunfermline pushed up with an admirable attacking game plan.
In the end defeat was conceded but the narrowest of defeats did little harm to the Dunfermline goal difference. In fact with Hearts losing by 2 to Celtic the evening had a small positive reflection. Dunfermline’s confidence was not dented by this performance and the remaining matches are all winnable on current form.
Dunfermline stars were Butler, Graham and Shields Stewart Petrie worked hard and took some hefty tackles The fact that Rangers were so ineffective probably suggests that there were other good but less noticeable performances from a midfield who prevented Rangers from turning on their hidden talents. Disappointingly the Pars failed to play much down the right wing where Tony Vidmar was certainly the Gers Achilles heel
Dick Campbell said after the match that he was very annoyed that having come to Ibrox and playing such an attacking game that four good chances had been created but none were taken.
The Pars team were applauded off the park by the 300+ visitors. No one expected Dunfermline to win at Ibrox but surely Dunfermline are not First Division bound Bring on the Killie.
SUBS NOT USED: Gabriel Amato, Scott Wilson, Derek McInnes, Mark Brown (GK)
SCORERS: van Bronckhorst (37)
YELLOW CARD: Amoruso, Wallace
DUNFERMLINE: Lee Butler: Marc Millar, Andy Tod, Greg Shields, Richard Huxford: Scott Thomson, Jason Dair, Jamie Dolan, Stewart Petrie; David Graham (Andy Smith 65), Owen Coyle
SUBS NOT USED: Jamie Squires, John Fraser, Craig Martin, Westwater (GK)
YELLOW CARD: Huxford (31)
REFEREE: W Young (Clarkston)
WEATHER:
ATTENDANCE 46220
NEXT MATCH: v Kilmarnock (home) Saturday 17th April 1999
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