Rangers2

Partick thistle0

PARTICK Thistle's cult following are renowned for their self-deprecating humour. ''There's only one team in Glasgow,'' they sang, partly in defiance, largely in jest, as their team were read the last rites at Ibrox.

That greater intrigue was

created by those absent from Rangers' show home confirmed the status of the occasion.

Alex McLeish, having secured

the services of Jean-Alain Boumsong and now Marvin Andrews, left in search of fresh and - given the debates stoked by the announcement of the aforementioned duo - likely controversial plunder.

Few clues with regards to his whereabouts were forthcoming from Andy Watson, the assistant placed in charge for the day, and the mysterious theme was explored further with the announcement that 49,279 had made their way to a stadium with more empty seats than a Stan Boardman comeback gig in Berlin.

The propaganda starts here as the club invite season-ticket holders to renew their loyalty (payable by credit card, cheque, or Provident vouchers) before the end of a costly enough campaign. The non-attendance of around 10,000 regulars was perhaps understandable with nothing at stake, even though Watson frothed at the very

suggestion. Partick Thistle had no such excuse and, in deciding not to turn up either, are resigned to their first division fate.

Predictably, off-field activities have overshadowed on-field exertions of the former champions yet given the expected mass exodus and major redevelopment, motivation is in plentiful supply for the survivors of this moribund campaign.

On Saturday, Allan McGregor was given a rare start in goal and Watson conceded that Stefan Klos is likely to start his summer holidays even before the schoolkids. Suffice to say a rigorous pre-match warm-up with Billy Thompson, Rangers' goalkeeping coach, was the most taxing aspect of McGregor's day.

Alan Hutton continued at right-back and was com- mended afterwards for his sense of adventure, which culminated in both goals. A dynamic and diligent defender, it should not be forgotten that Maurice Ross, a senior Scotland internationalist, made a similar impact at the start of his Rangers career before suffering seemingly irreparable damage to his self-belief and self-worth.

Alex Walker was granted a second cameo appearance in a week but, by the time of his introduction, Rangers had slowed down to Partick's plodding pace. All three will use the coming weeks to stake their claim at least for a smaller squad number (22, 32, and 40 respectively). Lee Robinson, Saturday's substitute goal- keeper, may have some work to do before ridding himself of the legendary No.64 jersey.

Michael Mols, one of at least a handful of certain departures, was given the honour of the captaincy in the absence of Craig Moore - of whom grave concerns are now being expressed - and Klos. ''I saw him wearing a kilt during the week and that was good enough for me,'' explained Watson, when his status as the longest senior servant was the telling factor. The added responsibility occasionally evoked memories of yesteryear.

The formation of a revamped Rangers is unclear, yet a curious outline has been sketched. Moore, Andrews, Boumsong, and Zurab Khizanishvili could well contest three pillar positions for next season.

The midfield is a minefield. Fernando Ricksen and Mikel Arteta have informed the club of their intentions and the great big hope, Stephen Hughes, has failed to progress as intended, partly due to a recurring knee problem. Gavin Rae scored again but is treated suspiciously by a support more accustomed to foreign flair, however overpriced.

Chris Burke's emergence has been one of the few genuine grounds for optimism and while his talent is undoubted, second-season syndrome is a disease of which his manager is well aware. To that end, at least two creative midfielders will presumably be high on a wish-list topped by the kind of striker who would have feasted

on Thistle's helplessness on Saturday.

Inviting deliveries skipped harmlessly from danger. Intricacy, while fruitful against Thistle, has ultimately been their undoing. It required 40 minutes of almost total territorial advantage before tangible reward was reaped. Burke hared down the right flank, and flung over a deep cross which was played back across goal for Steven Thompson to score. Like Rae, Thompson is not for the discerning customer but they have been purchased to help restore Rangers as a Premierleague power. Europe, for the time being, is merely a financial quick-fix.

Thistle, whose only interest in television revenue next

season will be the Scotsport first division highlights package, would have provided nothing in the way of entertainment had it not been for the merry band of Maryhill Magyars. ''We'll meet again'' was reserved for the encore, by which time Rangers were in fine tune on their slick turf.

A patient and purposeful passing rhythm reached crescendo when Hutton supplied Rae, leaving the former Dundee man with the simple task of pirouetting in the area before lashing the ball high into Jamie Langfield's net.

Celtic are the champions but Saturday's Rangers spokesman, Burke, was gracious in ultimate defeat. ''It is a little bit embarrassing but that's football,'' he said of the title concession. ''Celtic are a good team who have also done well in Europe.''