Source: Daily_Mail
Dunfermline 0 Rangers 4: Ally McCoist's rollercoaster week ends on a high
Steven Naismith scored twice as Rangers bounced back from their shock League Cup exit to Falkirk with a convincing win over Dunfermline in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.[LNB]Carlos Bocanegra and Maurice Edu also each grabbed a goal as the Scottish champions responded positively to the midweek defeat by the Irn-Bru First Division side.[LNB]Victory at East End Park allowed SPL leaders Rangers to pile further pressure on Celtic, and was also the perfect 49th birthday present for manager Ally McCoist.[LNB]Rangers made four changes to the side that crashed out of the cup, with goalkeeper Allan McGregor, Edu, Naismith and Nikica Jelavic all drafted in as McCoist named the team that defeated Celtic in last week's Old Firm derby.[LNB] At the double: Steven Naismith hit two second half strikes to get Rangers back to winning ways[LNB] [LNB]MATCH FACTSDunfermline: Gallacher,Jason Thomson, Dowie, Keddie, McCann, Graham, Mason,Burns,Cardle (Willis 65),Ryan Thomson (Kirk 57), Barrowman (Buchanan 79).[LNB]Subs Not Used: Smith,Potter,Boyle,Byrne.[LNB]Booked: Keddie.[LNB]Rangers: McGregor, Whittaker ,Goian, Bocanegra, Papac, Davis, Edu, Naismith,Wylde (Bedoya 73),Jelavic (Healy 84), Lafferty (Juanma Ortiz 46).[LNB]Subs Not Used: Alexander, Broadfoot, Perry, McCabe.[LNB]Goals: Bocanegra 9,Edu 17,Naismith 51,81.[LNB]Att: 7,577[LNB]Ref: Iain Brines (Scotland).[LNB]Young midfielder Rhys McCabe was named on the bench for the first time, while the Pars made just one change as Andy Barrowman started ahead of Andy Kirk.[LNB]Rangers had the chance to pile on some early pressure when Kyle Lafferty won a free-kick 25 yards out.[LNB]GreggWylde sent a swerving effort into the box and was only denied the opener by a decent save from goalkeeper Paul Gallacher, who reacted quickly to push the set-piece past his left-hand post.[LNB]Buthe was left picking the ball out of the back of the net with just eightminutes gone when Rangers took the lead from the resultant corner. Steven Davis picked out Bocanegra who connected well to nod past Gallacher and claim his first SPL goal for the club.[LNB]Rangersdoubled their advantage after 17 minutes when Edu collected a short pass from Jelavic and sent an impressive strike past the helpless Gallacher from 20 yards.[LNB]Rangerscontinued to push forward in search of more goals and Naismith was not too far away with a shot that fizzed narrowly wide.[LNB] Stunning strike: Maurice Edu put Rangers 2-0 up with a magnificent effort[LNB]Atthe other end, Dunfermline carved out their first real chance when GaryMason's cross was met by Ryan Thomson and his header was touched just over by McGregor at full stretch.[LNB]Therewas concern for Rangers when Dorin Goian went down injured during the build-up to that chance and left the pitch on a stretcher before returning to the action following treatment on the sidelines.[LNB]Rangers could have added to their lead when Jelavic set up Davis but his poor header fell wide of target, before Wylde tested Gallacher with an effort that the goalkeeper initially spilled before recovering to smother.[LNB]Dunfermline's hopes of a comeback in the second half were dealt a blow when Rangers found the back of the net again just six minutes after the restart.[LNB] Up and running: Carlos Bocanegra (right) celebrates with Kyle Lafferty after firing the visitors ahead[LNB]Naismithraced onto a pass from Davis and kept his cool to stroke past Gallacherfrom 12 yards, before Steven Whittaker went within inches of adding hisname to the scoresheet with a well-struck shot from long distance that dipped but went just over the crossbar.[LNB]Dunfermlinecould have pulled a goal back when David Graham found himself with onlyMcGregor to beat but the goalkeeper was up to the task with an impressive block.[LNB]It was proving to be a busy afternoon for Gallacher who was called into action to force a Jelavic free-kick over, before denying a ferocious effort from Whittaker.[LNB]But he was unable to prevent Naismith from claiming his second of the day with nine minutes remaining.[LNB]Daviswent on a great run before finding Jelavic, who whipped the ball acrossthe face of goal for Naismith to rifle home from close range.[LNB] Jelavic hands Rangers a boost by pledging loyalty to the clubFalkirk 3 Rangers 2: It's Millar time as last-gasp Mark shocks GersAlly oops! Rangers fail to heed McCoist's words of warning as Falkirk stun SPL giantsAll the latest Rangers news, features and opinion[LNB]
