Rangers 3
Ayr United 0
League (League One)

Match Report

In front of a raucous travelling support of 950 Ayr fans, United were defeated 3-0 in their first visit to Ibrox since 1996.

At half-time, Ayr found themselves 2-0 down after a dominant performance from the home side.

The second period was a different story though with Ayr throwing caution to the wind, passing the ball well and testing the Rangers rearguard.

Bilel Mohsni rifled home in the last five minutes however, adding gloss to the scoreline as Rangers continued their unbeaten run.

Ayr could walk away with their heads held high though after a fighting second half performance.

Following the midweek 1-0 defeat to Dunfermline, Mark Roberts made two changes to his starting 11 with Malcolm and Forrest starting in place of Crawford and Marenghi.

Shankland also returned to the squad after his month long loan at Albion Rovers.

The United boss played Michael Donald on the right side to neutralise the threat of Lee Wallace.

Rangers controlled proceedings early on and took the lead after 11 minutes when Ian Black’s free-kick was nodded into the corner by John Daly.

It then wasn’t long before the home side doubled their goal tally through Fraser Aird who swept a drive beyond David Hutton.

Ayr were forced to go long periods without the ball and Rangers continued to bang on the door, going close through Nicky Clark who saw a header bounce inches over the crossbar.

In the second period, Ayr were resurgent, winning two consecutive corners in the opening five minutes.

Malcolm played an unfamiliar role in the centre of midfield but chased and harried his opponents well.

17 year-old Alan Forrest was also a stand out for Ayr, performing well on the big stage.

Kevin Kyle provided a target for Ayr to aim at up field and he nodded closely by the post in the second period.

United had claims for a penalty after Michael Donald was barged in the box following a prolonged period of pressure from the visitors but Rangers counter attacked effectively with David Hutton forced to pull off a magnificent point blank save from a Lee McCulloch header.

The Ibrox side then notched their third of the match after a corner was lashed home by centre-back Bilel Mohsni.

In the latter stages of the game, substitute, Mark Shankland unleashed a corking drive but saw it agonisingly blocked on the line as Ayr looked to get on the scoresheet.

After the match, Mark Roberts said: “I felt we gave Rangers too much respect in the first half, and we had a few teething problems but we got to grips with it in the second period.

“I think the third goal was a bit harsh on us and we could have had a penalty when Donald was brought down in the box.

“I felt we deserved a goal with the way we played in the second half.

“Rangers are flying and are going to win a lot of games but it’s a learning curve for our players.

“Alan Forrest is still at school and he was absolutely outstanding throughout.

“The games against Rangers will not define our season, it’s the other ones that will make a difference.

“I can’t see Rangers going through the season unbeaten as they’ll have a blip along the way and I hope it’s against us.”

17 year old, Alan Forrest said: “I didn’t think I would start and was buzzing when the gaffer read my name out in the team talk.

“It was an easy game to play as they don’t press you too much, giving you time on the ball.

“Playing in front of 45,000 fans was a great experience but it didn’t bother me as I tried to blank it out.

“The first goal was stupid to concede and once they scored their second it was always going to be hard to come back.

“At half-time the message was to try and get a goal back early and it was frustrating not to be able to score.

“We had a penalty shout in the second half and I’ve definitely seen them given.

“I thought 3-0 was a harsh scoreline but we now need to take the positives and look to push on.”

Match report written by AUFC Online