Rangers advanced to the fifth round of the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup tonight with an 4-1 away victory over Dumbarton.
John Lundstram headed in John Souttar’s flick-on at the back post to put the Gers ahead after 35 minutes before Cyriel Dessers knocked in James Tavernier’s cross to double the visitors’ advantage before half-time.
The captain then stood up to make it 3-0 from the penalty spot with 12 minutes to play. The hosts then pulled one back two minutes before full-time through Matthew Shiels before substitute Scott Wright replied one minute later to reinstate Rangers’ 3-goal lead.
Philippe Clement’s Rangers will find out their fifth round fate tomorrow afternoon.
Stevie Farrell’s Sons side bow out after defeat but they can be proud of tonight’s valiant effort against top-tier opposition.
The Dumbarton manager was full of praise for his team. He said:
“I thought we gave a very good account of ourselves against a very good side.
“I’m probably disappointed in the goals that we lost…
“Ultimately I think we did very well. The moments in the game are the most important thing…
“When we play teams like Rangers those moments have got to go for us but in terms of overall I thought we gave a good account of ourselves.”
Rangers manager Philippe Clement was impressed by his team’s professional performance this evening despite tough playing conditions. He said:
“That they did what I asked, to be professional, to be switched on in every situation and to adapt to the situation.
“On that kind of pitch, we cannot play our normal football. There is not one team in the world who can play really good combination play in those circumstances so you need to adapt.
“We did that by scoring four goals and creating enough other chances. It is a pity you get the goal against but we were never in trouble and the whole game we were in control. That is important in the cup to go through.
“Like this week, we gave some extra playing minutes for some players who came back out of injury with Scott Wright, Tom Lawrence, Ryan Jack and with Borna Barisic. That is important for the next weeks and months.”
