Rangers 0 Stirling 0 match report: Gers limp to draw as title wait continues
The wintry conditions robbed this game of its significance. With Queen's Park's visit to Annan Athletic postponed due to the heavy snow, Rangers could not secure the Third Division title with a victory. For long enough, though, it did not seem as if the home side were even capable of securing the win anyway.
Ally McCoist's team are suffering from despondency. Recent performances can only be characterised as a slump, in form, in mood, and Rangers could not muster any meaningful chances in this game.
Ibrox groaned, but even the exasperation was half-hearted. An air of anti-climax hung heavily around the occasion, and little on the field caused a stir of emotion. The best the home fans could do was rail against their own, and before the end a banner was unfurled that read: Less Time Tweeting, More Time Training. It was a reaction to Kyle Hutton, the midfielder, having tweeted one lunch time about training having finished and heading home to watch DVDs.
"We are all share the frustration," said McCoist. "I know more than anybody what it's like to play here in terms of expectancy."
At a time when the team is performing without intent or purpose, Hutton's comment created a surge of disdain. Stirling Albion won't have feared a reaction, since they have taken four points from Rangers at home this season. They came to Ibrox to prove their worth, and in Jordan White, the striker, and Scott Davidson, the attacking midfielder, they had two impressive performers.
Rangers struggled to take control of this game. They were able to hoard possession, but not make any significant incursions upfield. The passing was ponderous, and that allowed Stirling to funnel back into position and defend their lines in an orderly fashion.
"I thought we maybe just shaded it, but we can't complain at getting a point at Rangers," said Greig McDonald, the Stirling manager. "The players have got ability and we're not the hammer throwers that people said we were."
Rangers (4-1-4-1): Alexander; Hegarty, McCulloch, Cribari, Wallace; Faure; McKay (Naismith, 62), Crawford, Hutton, Aird (Argyriou, 77); Hemmings (Mitchell, 90).
Stirling (4-2-3-1): Filler; McCunnie, Thom, Bishop, Forsyth; Ferry, McClune; Johnston (Cunningham, 90), Davidson (Weir, 64), Flood (Ashe, 77); White.
Referee: Craig Thomson.
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