Source: Team_Talk
Last-gasp Weir strike sinks City
With Champions League action looming next month, fears had been raised about Rangers' hopes of competing with the cream of Europe following their capitulation to Arsenal, with boss Walter Smith admitting Sunday's clash had been a sharp learning curve for his players.[LNB]But goals from Nacho Novo, Kenny Miller and Weir ensured the Scottish champions came out on top, with Stephen Ireland and Martin Petrov on the scoresheet for a team who have spent in the region of £90million this summer.[LNB]John Fleck was back in the Rangers squad after being dropped for the Emirates Cup but had to settle for a place among the substitutes.[LNB]The 17-year-old - who had a bust-up with assistant manager Ally McCoist before being sent to Northern Ireland with the reserves - was joined on the bench by Kris Boyd, with striking duties going to Miller instead.[LNB]Neil Alexander was back between the sticks after Allan McGregor was given the gloves for the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend, which had been his first start since his role in the now infamous "Boozegate" affair.[LNB]In contrast to Manchester City's apparently limitless budget, money remains tight at Rangers with no sign as yet of any new arrivals, while their visitors started with three new recruits in the shape of Gareth Barry, Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure at Ibrox.[LNB]Alexander was first to be tested, holding a stinging shot from distance from Ireland in the opening minutes of the match.[LNB]However, it was Rangers who should have opened the scoring when Steven Davis slipped a neat pass to Novo only for the striker to drive across goal and wide of target.[LNB]The Spaniard was given the opportunity to make amends and, with 20 minutes gone, the Scottish champions were ahead.[LNB]Miller began the move before Lee McCulloch teed up the shot for Novo, who scuffed his initial attempt. The ball fell for Sasa Papac who knocked back into the path of Novo and, this time, he rifled high into the net from six yards.[LNB]City were back on level terms just eight minutes later. Adebayor delivered a cross into the box for Ireland and his shot, albeit far from powerful, managed to scrape past the outstretched hand of Alexander into the far corner of the net.[LNB]Adebayor then had the opportunity to double the Barclays Premier League side's advantage but dragged his shot wide of the upright as both teams headed into the interval on level terms.[LNB]Rangers had the best of the chances after the restart, with Pedro Mendes flighting a long ball into the path of Steven Whittaker as he raced into the box from the right flank only to be robbed of possession by Wayne Bridge before he could unleash the shot.[LNB]Novo then delivered a great ball across the face of goal for Miller but he somehow managed to blast well over the crossbar from a few yards out.[LNB]The same two players combined again moments later but this time Miller stumbled in the box under pressure from Bridge and, despite the pleas for a penalty from the home crowd, referee Craig Thomson signalled for play to continue and the chance was lost.[LNB]Seconds later, City surged into the lead with 53 minutes on the clock. Robinho pinged a ball into the box from the middle of the park which was collected by substitute Petrov, who lashed past the helpless Alexander.[LNB]Undeterred, Rangers hauled themselves level again within two minutes with a superb goal, Miller latching onto a Davis ball before cheekily lobbing goalkeeper Shay Given.[LNB]That proved to be Miller's last act and he was withdrawn on the hour-mark along with Novo, as Kyle Lafferty and Boyd were thrown into the action.[LNB]City made a change of their own when former Celtic player Craig Bellamy was introduced to jeers from the crowd, before Fleck received a mixed reaction when he replaced Mendes.[LNB]The home side snatched victory in the final minute when skipper Weir fired home following a poor clearance from Tal Ben-Haim, with Rangers undoubtedly now more optimistic about the defence of their crown, which begins against Falkirk on August 15.[LNB][LNB]
