Annan Athletic 0 Rangers 0: Problems on the road again

Sports writer

Sunday 16 September 2012

Rangers cannot shake off the novelty of their predicament.

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Richard Wilson

Every away trip has brought them into contact with teams who have been inspired by the occasion. It presents a conundrum for Ally McCoist and his players, because they have been unable to match the zeal of their opponents. The manager was in a stoic mood afterwards, but the failure to deal with the same problems is becoming a slight on his side.

There are always moments to bear when the surroundings are so modest. Fans were close enough to the pitch to make their opinions heard and after one defensive mix-up, Neil Alexander turned to the away supporters complaining behind his goal and grimly asked if any of them would like to come on and help. McCoist, too, had to be patient as one fan shouted how much he loved the Rangers manager during his post-match press conference.There is little point in being irked by the circumstances. This was a tight pitch, and an artificial surface, but the obligation was on Rangers to manage the situation better than they did. Annan Athletic were not particularly adept, but they were able to retain their defensive shape with ease because Rangers were too cumbersome in their build-up play. That can occur in any game, but this was the third away league match that Rangers have played this season, and their third draw."It was like most of our away games, I didn't think our passing was right," McCoist said. "We're having a problem starting games and matching the [opposition's] enthusiasm and pace. "We were marginally the better team in the second half, but still far from good. I'm far from happy, but I'm not pressing the panic button. This was a tough place to come."The surroundings were basic, and that seemed to set the tone of Rangers' display. They understood that their play had to be tailored to the occasion, but they mustered only an inadequate sense of purpose.Annan's defenders were courageous, and shots were blocked with a gritty resolve. They were never overwhelmed, though, since Rangers could not take command of the game. Lee McCulloch was prominent, heading over the bar then volleying another effort wide during the first half, but he was as much a cajoling presence. "We need you on the ball, wee man," he urged Dean Shiels at one stage.Rangers were anxious then, since they had lost one of their creative figures after just eight minutes when David Templeton went over on his ankle and was stretched off. He was taken to hospital after the game for a scan, although the heavy swelling was enough to concern the Rangers doctor. "I'm not medically qualified to say whether or not the injury was caused by the [artificial] pitch," said McCoist. "This looks like one of the better pitches of this type. But you can get injured on any type of surface."Annan were never able to feel comfortable, but the nature of the game was consoling. They even had two Jack Steele efforts, which the midfielder pulled wide, to dwell upon. Mostly, though, the accomplishment was in restricting the visitors, and that objective doesn't seem so humble when it is recalled that Annan only joined the Scottish League four years ago.Harry Cairney, the manager, was prepared to be unorthodox, and took the advice of his 11-year-old daughter, Lucy, to tell the players to enjoy themselves and not come back into the dressing room with regrets. "At some point Rangers will give someone a doing in an away match and I'm just glad it wasn't us," Cairney said.

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Annan Athletic 0 Rangers 0: Problems on the road again

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