RANGERS’ final bow in front of their supporters before the real stuff starts at Livingston next Saturday may have ended in defeat – but boss Gio van Bronckhorst will be able to take plenty away from this run out against Tottenham Hotspur.
Antonio Colak’s first-half opener was cancelled out by two Harry Kane super strikes in the second half to ensure the Walter Tull trophy headed south to London tonight.
This was exactly the sort of test Gers were looking for ahead of the new season, and in particular, the front three for Spurs of Kane, Heung Min Son and Dejan Kulusevski was going to be a fantastic challenge for the defence.
But in attack going the other way, a three of Rabbi Matondo, Tom Lawrence and Ryan Kent behind Colak caused the Lilywhites plenty of issues and excited the enormous home crowd.
The first chance came the way of Spurs – after breaking in behind, Kulusevski was eventually able to get a shot on goal away from a tight angle, with McGregor doing well to save with his foot at the near post.
James Tavernier had a very decent curling effort from a central free-kick 25-yards from goal that had Hugo Lloris mildly concerned, while the goalkeeper also held on well to an effort from the skipper from similar distance slightly right of goal.
Then on 24 minutes, Gers hit the front with Antonio Colak getting his first goal of pre-season.
From the right, Rabbi Matondo did superbly to get a yard on Ryan Sessegnon to cross to the front post for Tavernier.
He flicked-on superbly for Colak at the back post, and the big Croatian did the rest, smashing the ball past Lloris.
Almost from the restart, Spurs should have been level with John Souttar left isolated against three charging Spurs attackers, and when the ball reached Pierre-Emile Hojjerg unmarked 15-yards from goal, he really should have netted but fired wide of Allan McGregor’s goal.
Gers threatened again through Tom Lawrence with a fine chipped effort that only just cleared the crossbar, while McGregor saved superbly from Kulusevski to again prevent the equaliser.
A combination of good pressure from Souttar and a great McGregor block then denied Kane to ensure Gers went into the break a goal to the good.
Into the second half, and McGregor was again lively to deny Sessegnon again at his front post but the pressure continued to build, and finally it told on 51 minutes, with Harry Kane finding a superb top-corner finish to level matters.
Kane then found a second for Spurs five minutes later with another super finish to make it 2-1 to the visitors.
Sub Scott Wright had a decent effort deflected into the side-netting as Gers looked to hit back, while fellow replacement James Sands headed an effort straight at backup goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
But it finished 2-1 to Spurs, with all eyes for Gers on Almondvale next week.
RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier, Lundstram, Goldson, Colak, Lawrence (Tillman, 69), Kent, Souttar (Sands, 69), Matondo (Wright, 69), Kamara, Barisic.
SUBS NOT USED: McLaughlin, McCrorie, Jack, Davis, Katic, Fashion Jr, Arfield, McCann, King, Devine.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR: Lloris, Royal, Dier, Romero, Sanchez, Sessengnon, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Son, Kane.
SUBS: Austin, Bissouma, Spence, de Andrade, Doherty, Forster, Gil, Lucas, Perisic, Rodon, Sarr, Tanganga, Lenglet.
REFEREE: John Beaton
ㅤ
PROGRAMME SUBSCRIPTION: Rangers fans can now purchase a matchday programme subscription for the 2022/23 season. Additonally, MyGers members who purchase a subscription will be allocated 20 MyGers points. You have until 31 July 2022 to purchase online here.
SEASON 22/23 AWAY KIT: Our new away kit, featuring a red diagonal print and the classic Rangers scroll crest in blue, is now available. Available in a number of size options in-store and online. More than Ready.
ㅤ
ㅤ