RANGERS B played out a closely fought 2-2 draw with the first-team of League of Ireland side Bohemians at the Rangers Training Centre, presented by Park’s Motor Group, this afternoon.
The Gers were forced to come from behind twice in a high-level contest in Milngavie, with an own goal from Bohemians defender Bart Kukulowicz, coupled with a late spot-kick from Bailey Rice, ensuring the home side settled for a share of the spoils.
Indeed, it was a mix of youth and experience in the Gers side this afternoon, highlighted by the eight-year age gap between 24-year-old goalkeeper Kieran Wright and 16-year-old forward Josh Gentles.
It was a bright start from the Light Blues, although they fell behind inside 15 minutes when Danny Grant collected the ball inside the penalty area from a seemingly innocuous throw-in before dispatching a powerful finish beyond Wright.
There was encouragement from a Rangers perspective in the opening exchanges, notably through Darren McInally after the midfielder flashed a pair of efforts goalwards from 20 yards out.
The best opportunity of the first half did arrive to the home side with ten minutes remaining of the opening period. Cole McKinnon fired a delivery across the face of goal from the right-hand side of the penalty area, with James Graham leaping highest at the far post to draw a terrific save from the Bohemians goalkeeper at his near post.
The game ebbed and flowed as the second 45 minutes began, with McKinnon looking particularly lively in his running from midfield beyond the Bohemians backline.
And it was no surprise that the midfielder, celebrating his 21st birthday today, proved the architect of Rangers’ leveller shortly into the second half.
Indeed, it was his lung-bursting run down the inside right channel that allowed Adam Devine to lift his head and pick out the midfielder. With several bodies inside the penalty area, his low, dangerous cross was turned into his own net by Bohemians defender Kukulowicz.
Rangers then passed up a golden opportunity to complete the turnaround moments later when McKinnon once again broke free of the away side’s ranks and squared in search of Graham, but the midfielder’s pass was slightly overhit.
Rice then jinked inside into space 20 yards from goal to unleash an effort at goal, but the teenager’s effort on his weaker side trickled comfortably wide of the visitors’ goal.
Against the run of play, the League of Ireland side restored their advantage with 17 minutes remaining as substitute Dayle Rooney’s effort cruelly deflected off Leon King and squirmed under the body of Wright.
However, the Gers drew level with ten minutes remaining when the referee pointed to the spot after substitute Connor Allan was fouled inside the penalty area following a surging run. Bailey Rice, who has assumed penalty duties on several occasions for Gers B this season, stepped up from 12 yards and cooly dispatched beyond the Bohemians goalkeeper to set up a tasty conclusion to the contest.
Opportunity then beckoned for McKinnon with two minutes remaining when the birthday boy cushioned a sumptuous first-time volley towards goal that forced the Bohemians goalkeeper into a fine stop down to his right.
The final action of the afternoon belonged to Rangers, who couldn’t quite believe that the winner didn’t arrive when King ghosted in at the far post to meet Rice’s free-kick delivery, steering his left-footed volley into the grateful arms of the goalkeeper.
The full-time whistle then blew on a fascinating contest, with Gers B now turning their attention to Old Firm Glasgow Cup action next midweek as they make the short trip to Lennoxtown.
RANGERS B: Wright, Devine, King, Yfeko, Fraser, Rice, McKinnon, McInally (Nsio, 71), Graham (Stevens, 59), Ishaka (Allan, 79), Gentles (Eadie, 71)
Subs not used: Munn, Allen, McClure
BOHEMIANS: Dennison, Lilander, Kirk, Byrne, Cornwall, Flores, McDonnell, Grant, Miller, Connolly, Akintunde
Subs: Collins, Kukulowicz, McDaid, Rooney, Smith, Clarke, Gilmore, Reinkort, Osagie