Match Report

Annan Athletic are still pointless following their 2 goal defeat at Ibrox on Tuesday evening after playing the second of their Betfred Cup ties. A goal in each half from Barry McKay and Martyn Waghorn was enough to deservedly win the points for the home team in their first competitive match at Ibrox of the season.
Annan boss Jim Chapman’s squad was bolstered by the return of the suspended Steven Black and Rabin Omar plus the inclusion of Peter Watson, Rangers included in their squad all their recent signings Clint Hill, Josh Windas, Lee Hodson, Niko Kranjcar, Joey Barton, Harry Forester and Matt Gilks.
Annan were on the back foot for the vast majority of the game but boss Jim Chapman set his team out to defend and frustrate the Rangers attack who looked particularly menacing down the left flank where Barrie McKay and Lee Wallace provided a constant threat.
Annan keeper Blair Currie was in inspired form and dealing confidently with anything Rangers attack could throw at him. However in the 30th minute he had no answer in dealing with a tremendous 25 yard swerving thunderbolt from Rangers man of the match Barry McKay. It was a goal fitting to win any match and was well applauded by the large home support.
Rangers pressed forward in an effort to add to their lead but the compact Annan defence were proving difficult to penetrate. Lee Hodson was denied twice as the game approached half time with the Annan keeper at full stretch pushing both efforts past the post.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first but once again the Rangers attack was held at bay by Annan’s well marshalled defence but in the 70th minute Substitute Kenny Miller’s perfectly weighted ball into the path of Waghorn was finished clinically by the striker who’s low shot into the corner of the net gave Currie no chance.
Annan found it very difficult to muster any real threat to the Rangers defence, Max Wight looked lively up front and substitute Adam Asghar finished off a good Annan move in the 80th minute when his shot went past the post. It was however a match where Annan could take some credit against a strong premiership team and should give manager Jim Chapman and coach John Joyce confidence as they try to knock their team into shape for the season ahead.
Annan’s next match in the Betfred Cup is on Saturday when they entertain Motherwell at Galabank, Kick off 3-00pm.

Rangers – Matt Gilks, Clint Hill, Rob Kierna, Lee Wallace, Barrie McKay ( Harry Forrester 60 min), Josh Windass (Joey Barton 60 min), Andy Halliday, Lee Hodson, Niko Kranjcar ( Kenny Miller 60 min), Michale O’Halloran, Martyn Waghorn. Subs not used Wes Foderingham, James Tavernier, Danny Wilson, Jason Holt

Annan Athletic – Blair Currie, Steven Black, Jean Guy Lucas, Raffi Krissian, Steven SWinglehurst, Barry Cuddihy, Rabin Omar ( Przemyslaw Dachnowicz 78 min), William Robertson ( Adam Asghar 68 min), David McKenna, Max Wright, Tony Ribeiro ( Liam Part HT ). Substitutes not used Alex Mitchell, Scott Norman, Peter Watson, Connor Liddell.

Referee Euan Anderson.​Assistants Stuart Hodge and David Dunne

Crowd 31,628