Football: Rangers rely on touch of English

Rangers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Airdrieonians. . . . . . . . . . . .0

TWO GAMES into the defence of their Scottish title, Rangers have discovered that a fifth successive flag will not be cheaply earned. After their disappointing 1-0 win over St Johnstone on Saturday, they had hoped to post notice last night that normal service had been resumed, but after taking an early lead they were all too easily knocked off their stride by their hard-working guests.

They never looked in danger of losing, but neither did they stamp their authority on proceedings, although they did contrive to miss a second-half penalty.

Rangers had taken an early lead with a goal of quite stunning simplicity. Alexei Mikhailichenko found his fellow Ukrainian, Oleg Kuznetsov, with a finely measured 30-yard pass and continued his run down the left to receive a return ball which was played to the near post for Dale Gordon to flick past John Martin.

The start was a good one, but if the home supporters saw that as a precursor of better things to come they were soon disabused of such notions by a hard-working Airdrie side and by their own side's inability to respond to the midfield promptings of Mikhailichenko and Stuart McCall.

A much-needed injection of pace saw the ball shuttled from Scott Nisbet to Ally McCoist, and then to Mark Hateley inside the Airdrie penalty area. However, Hateley's shot was well saved.

Even that failed to lift Rangers from their lethargy and although they enjoyed supremacy of possession they consistently failed to create openings in the danger area. Even when presented with an ideal opportunity for a second goal Hateley, who had been fouled by Gus Caesar, failed from the penalty spot, Martin saving his kick.

Three minutes later the big striker made amends and relieved the growing tension in the stands by rifling a Stuart McCall pass past Martin from 18 yards to seal the points.

Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, will not be fooled by the start his side have made to their campaign. Full points they might have gained, but the quality of performance has been sadly lacking.

Rangers: Goram; Nisbet, Robertson, Gough, Kuznetsov, Brown, Gordon (Durrant, 68), McCall, McCoist, Hateley, Mikhailichenko. Substitute not used: Rideout.

Airdrieonians: Martin; Honor, Stewart (Kirkwood, 75), Sandison, Caesar, Black (Reid, 86), Boyle, Balfour, Lawrence, Coyle, Jack.

Referee: D Syme (Rutherglen).