The Light Blues are currently riding their longest winning run in the competition since they lifted the trophy in back-to-back seasons under Walter Smith in 2008 and 2009 where they defeated Queen of the South and Falkirk in the final respectively.
The victory capped off a strong week for the side, netting ten goals across three games to maintain their unbeaten run under Michael Beale in the Scottish Premiership while also booking a fifth successive trip to the national stadium.
Key to the victory was the opening goal from Connor Goldson just shy of the half-time interval, breaking the resistance of the defensively stubborn visitors and underlining the growing strength of the Gers from set-piece situations.
Indeed, the 30-year-old’s header yesterday was the 10th set-piece goal that Rangers have netted in Beale’s 18 games in charge so far, meaning the team have averaged a goal from a set-piece every other game since the Englishman was appointed manager.
Rangers have scored five times from corners (Hibernian, Motherwell, Partick Thistle, Kilmarnock and Raith Rovers), three times from indirect free-kick situations (Hearts, Livingston and Celtic) and twice from direct free-kicks following James Tavernier’s strike at the Tony Macaroni Arena last month and Borna Barisic’s deflected free-kick against Ross County earlier this year.
“Harry [Watling] works hard with the boys on set-plays and I thought it was a well-worked first goal,” Beale told RangersTV after last weekend’s home victory over Kilmarnock where the former Brighton man also broke the deadlock in the first half.
Goldson sent a pair of early warning signs to Raith Rovers with his aerial prowess in the first half before eventually finding the net, and the Gers central defender has been the chief beneficiary of the side’s improvement from set-pieces since Beale’s arrival, finding the net on three separate occasions while assisting Scott Arfield’s winner at Pittodrie in December and Malik Tillman’s strike from an intelligent free-kick routine against Hearts last month.
The Englishman netted eight goals in the title-winning campaign of 2020/21, six of which were headers, and he was keen to stress the importance of set-pieces for his side when speaking to RangersTV after the match: “It wasn't easy, they came and defended deep, I don't think they had many chances in the game, so we were comfortable defensively but offensively they had a lot of numbers in and around the box.
“It is important that we are a threat from set-pieces, especially in games where it is hard to break the opposition down. Personally, I wanted to score more goals this season so thankfully in the last week I have managed to get two.”
Arfield’s strike with three minutes remaining, coupled with Ryan Nolan’s own goal, provided comfort in the scoreline and it also ensured that the Light Blues maintained their impressive goalscoring streak. The Gers have now netted three or more goals in five out of their last six matches in all competitions, including three games on the spin at Ibrox.
“That is why Scott Arfield is such an important guy to have in the squad,” Beale told RangersTV after the match. “Because that is what he gives you, he ghosts in there and he missed a chance and then he went and scored, and I am delighted for him on a personal level.”
Beale is closing in on 20 matches in charge of Rangers – although that figure will arrive after the international break at home to Dundee United – and his side are currently averaging 2.4 goals per game under his stewardship.
Elsewhere, Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell completed 90 minutes as the management staff continue to carefully build the duo’s fitness following their respective arrivals in January.
Both of whom played their role in registering a first clean sheet in four games for the Light Blues, who were also boosted by the return of Ridvan Yilmaz in his first appearance since November following injury.
“We know at this football club you are expected to win so it has been a good week,” Goldson commented after the match. “It hasn't been easy, two teams at home and the trip to Easter Road, but we have managed to come out with three wins which is always important.”