THE Rangers players arrived at Shielfield Park tonight and promptly insisted on finishing their card game before leaving the bus – in truth they shouldn’t have bothered getting off at all.
In a tough battle on a bumpy pitch, Rangers struggled to show any composure as tiny Berwick – bottom of the Second Division – set out to repeat their astonishing feat of 1967.
And the 0-0 draw managed by the home side did not flatter them in the slightest as they upset their visitors with what was a tumultuous effort for the entirety of the match.
Paul Smith will now lead his men to Ibrox on the 21st of the month for a replay and one of the biggest days in the club’s history.
The Ibrox midfield clearly missed the class of Ronald de Boer throughout this game and is crying out for someone who is able to mix things when required.
Stephen Hughes tried his best and it was his eighth-minute shot that gave Berwick keeper Willie McCulloch his first action.
The match then settled into a scrappy affair with neither team able to put together any flowing moves.
But Berwick were doing what was required in the cold conditions – giving their opponents no time whatsoever as they got in amongst the Light Blues.
Even so, Norwegian striker Tore Andre Flo should really have opened the scoring after Neil McCann landed a free-kick right on his head in the 24th minute only for the ex-Chelsea man to head straight at McCulloch.
It was at this point that Berwick took it upon themselves to test the Rangers defence as Neil Bennett and Darren Smith caused problems down the left.
Gers defenders Maurice Ross and Scott Wilson looked unsettled and Wilson it was who gave away a free-kick on the edge of the box nine minutes from half time.
Former Celt Marc Anthony took it as the home fans increased the decibel level in anticipation of their side taking a shock lead.
But Anthony hit the wall with his right-footed shot and the rebound went wide with Klos untroubled.
Half time arrived with Paul Smith’s men continuing to enjoy their good spell and Rangers’ stars looked relieved to get in at the break and regroup.
McLeish had obviously made his feelings on his sides performance so far clear as the Ibrox side emerged looking far hungrier in the second 45.
And just three minutes in Tony Vidmar played a one-two with Michael Mols to get in behind the home defence, however his shot was straight at the legs of McCulloch.
Rangers pressed on but were finding it difficult to utilise the pace of McCann and Kancheskis, an interval replacement for the ineffective Caniggia.
A 57th minute McCann free-kick that was held by McCulloch further emphasised the inability of the Rangers forwards to manufacture a clear-cut opportunity.
But it has to be said that had a lot to do with the efficient way the Berwick defence went about their business.
Mols and Flo were tightly marked by Neill and Wood who gave them little space to breathe. Consequently the visitors suffered despite pinning the Second Division outfit back.
Klos was brought racing out of his goal when a clearance was launched out of the Berwick half and striker Craig Feroz, by now the only recognised striker in the home ranks, set off in pursuit.
The Rangers keeper got there first, but only just as McLeish no doubt removed his heart from his mouth.
From then on it was more of the same with the Ibrox men unable to play their way in behind their stubborn and unintimidated opponents.
In the last minute, Tony Vidmar pulled the ball back from the goal line and McCann fired a right-footed effort that was again smothered by McCulloch before the final whistle brought scenes of joy for Berwick supporters and players.
Teams: Berwick – McCulloch, Farrell, Bennett, Murie, Neill (c), Forrest, Wood, Anthony, McDonald (Bradley 84), Feroz (Huxford 89), Smith (Neil 80). Unused subs – McNicoll, Gilfillan (Gk).
Rangers – Klos, Amoruso (c), Caniggia (Kanchelskis 45), Flo (Arveladze 67), Mols (De Boer 81), McCann, Wilson, Latapy, Ross, Vidmar, Hughes. Unused subs – Malcolm, Christiansen (Gk).
Attendance: 4280.
Referee: Dougie McDonald.
Bookings: Berwick – Bennett (87); Rangers – Wilson (44).