It was back to Ibrox for the first time in six years as we faced Rangers in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup. Manager, Wullie Gibson made four changes to the side that started against Falkirk at the weekend.  Despite his red card against The Bairns, Paul McKay is free from suspension until the next league game, but he dropped to the bench along with Connor Murray and Kieran McKechnie.  Stuart Morrison also missed out with an ankle injury.  They were replaced Dave McKay, Harry Cochrane, Lee Connelly and Stephen Hendrie. 

Up against the team sitting second in the topflight, Queens were finding it difficult to get out their own half in the early stages and although the home side forced a couple of corners, Queens were fairly solid. Max Currie did well to save as Fashion Sakala challenged.   

However, it was a defensive error that led to Rangers’ opener after just nine minutes.  Dave McKay played a wayward back pass towards Ciaran McKenna, he was caught on the wrong side by Sakala, and as he played the ball across the box Glen Kamara took a touch to play it into the path of Robbie Ure who hit a right foot shot past Currie. 

With it all to play for Queens started to get forward more and with just over quarter of an hour gone, Lee Connelly equalised with a sublime finish.  Inside the box he lifted the ball over Alan McGregor into the top corner. 

Rangers fought back and Ridvan Yilmaz tried a shot from distance before McGregor made a save to stop Calvin McGrory’s free kick from hitting the back of the net.  As the home side broke Sakala got in between the retreating Cochrane and Hendrie but they managed to recover to clear for a corner. 

Then midway through the first half Rangers restored their advantage.  Yilmaz did well on the by-line after collecting a through ball from Sakala, his cut back was met by the on-rushing Scott Arfield who sent a powerful drive past Currie. 

Sakala was proving a handful and Euan East made a timely block to halt his chance before Leon King fired wide.  Queens still looked good on the attack and as Ruari Paton’s cross reached the opposite side of the box Hendrie at the back post tried to place it low past McGregor but turned it wide. 

Right on the stroke of half time Gavin Reilly gave the ball away in the middle of the park and as the mistake opened up a chance, Currie had to save from Arfield. 

HALF TIME:  Rangers 2    Queens 1 

Eight minutes into the second half the quick feet of Rabbi Matondo created a chance for the Ibrox side but his delivery into the box was missed by a few of his team-mates and the danger disappeared. 

Queens were playing it tight with short passes which made it difficult for them to get it into Rangers` half.  When they did get it forward Connelly tried a couple of times to find Paton out wide and also found Josh Todd who cut inside but his shot was off target. 

As Queens settled Connelly slipped in Reilly but his effort was out for a goal kick.  It was a good spell for the visitors and some great play by Paton and in particular Connelly reached McKenna on the right as he whipped the ball into the six-yard box, Todd was unmarked at the back post, but Adam Devine made a timely clearance for a corner. 

Minutes later the defender found himself at the other end of the park to deliver into the box, but McGrory stepped in to clear. 

Further goal scoring opportunities were limited with the keepers having little to do but with five minutes of the 90 remaining, Arfield scored his second of the evening to secure Rangers` place in the last eight.  Substitute Charlie McCann found the midfielder at the 18-yard line with a cheeky backheel pass and his low drive beat Currie at his right-hand post. 

So Queens are knocked out of the cup but can be proud of the performance they gave. 

FULL TIME:  Rangers 3  Queens 1