Ger’s top after first away win of the season

After a comprehensive ‘back to winning ways’ performance the weekend prior to last, with a two nil home defeat of Queen’s Park spearheaded by captain fantastic Lee McCulloch, the Ger’s followed up with an impressive first league away win of the season over Clyde.

Having struggled on the road so far this term, following the embarrassing defeat to Stirling Albion preceded by a string of uninspiring draws at Peterhead, Berwick Rangers and Annan Athletic, goals from Dean Shiels and stoic captain McCulloch insured a change in fortunes.

Banishing the unwanted away record against ten-man Clyde, Chris Hegarty believes the pressure that had built over the ensuing weeks and months has eased on the players.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Hegarty proclaimed; "There was a lot of pressure put on us by the media,"

"It's definitely a big positive for all the lads getting our first away win.When we don't perform, the lads get annoyed."

Leaving a defeated Clyde team in their wake, Ranger’s reap the rewards by standing tall at the top of the Scottish Third Division table, with a two point cushion exercised over second placed Elgin with a game in hand.

The 19 year old defender goes on; "We just had to go out there and put on a really good performance. I think we showed that."

"The full squad knows that we've got to get right into people's faces because that's what this league is all about.

"We're getting smashed all over the place and we need to do that to teams, be a wee bit more aggressive but try to play football as well and pass them off the park and keep the ball moving." said Hegarty.

The Northern Ireland Under-21 captain is looking ahead to Wednesday's Scottish Communities League Cup tie against Inverness CT, with the hope of retaining his place after a good performance.

"I knew I had to put in a good performance and try to keep myself there for Wednesday night,"

McCulloch: Defeat tough to take

With the international break now in force, and the national side preparing for a home nation clash under the World Cup qualification umbrella against Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, on Friday, this is a perfect opportunity for the Gers to take stock.

Rangers suffered their first league defeat of the season last time out – where they were unable to overturn a 1-0 away deficit to Scotland’s lowest ranked team at the beginning of play last weekend Stirling Albion – and thus missed out on the chance to take the initiative at the summit of the Scottish Third Division.

This, despite affording themselves a sizable amount of possession throughout, the Light Blues couldn’t turn that superiority into goals, to the dismay of manager Ally McCoist.

Captain Lee McCulloch, who has assisted his team with four league goals so far this term, is stoic, focused and diligent in his role as club captain, insisting he can lead from the front and pick things up, maintaining the seasons objectives can be achieved.

Speaking to the clubs official website he said: “It’s certainly the most disappointing result of my Rangers career. It’s tough to take.

“I thought we weren’t good enough in the first half. I played up front myself and I can’t remember having a chance. We defended very poorly at the goal too.

“In the second we were the much better team but we couldn’t put the ball in the net. We created a couple of half chances but that was it.

“The heads are way down and it’s not a nice dressing room we’ve got just now. The boys just need to get on with it and try to put the result to the back of their minds.”

The skipper continued: “I wish there was a game tomorrow for us to put things right in and it’s a long time now to our next match.

“We need to roll our sleeves up, stay positive and remember how bad a feeling that was coming off the pitch today.

“This is a reality check and we know we owe the fans after this. We’ve given them a few ups like the win over Motherwell but this is a big downer.

“If the fans can keep a happy medium like the players are trying to do, we will deliver for them.

“We’ve all got to keep encouraging these boys and not let the lads at 17, 18 and 19 go back in their shells again.

“It’s important for me, the other experienced players in the group and the fans to get behind them and help them.”

A rallying cry to his fellow teammates and fans alike, not to lose faith, instead, get behind the team and help them kick on.

Undoubtedly improvements need to be made ahead of the SFL Third Division home tie against current table toppers Queen’s Park on Saturday October 20.

Striker and top scorer Andy Little is tipped to return for the Gers after injury, in a game where improvement is key if Rangers are to achieve what’s required.