Rangers 0-0 Falkirk: Bore draw as Bairns' excellent Scottish Premiership run continues
Falkirk pick up a point away to Rangers as Bairns’ excellent Scottish Premiership run continues, writes Lois Smillie.
The sound of booing rang around the stadium after a goalless draw at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon as Falkirk picked up a precious Scottish Premiership point.
The hosts had the first chance of the match as Connor Barron’s attempt was held by Scott Bain. Falkirk responded well through Calvin Miller, but the winger couldn’t reach the ball and it was sent out for a corner.
Thelo Aasgaard’s first attempt on 15 minutes came from range but went over, while his second was blocked by Bairns’ backline.
Towards the end of the first half, Rangers shouted for a penalty as Bojan Miovski went down in the box under pressure from Liam Henderson. The call was waved away by whistler Steven McLean as play continued.
Dylan Tait would be the first to enter the referee’s book after bringing down a driving Nedim Bajrami from behind.
In the final minutes of the half both Rangers and Falkirk had chances, with Bajrami narrowly missing for the hosts while Keelan Adams’ throw-in gave the team a chance to strike, but the flag was raised.
Falkirk hold their own against Rangers
In the second half, Rangers were the first to make changes as Oliver Antman and Max Aarons made way for Djeidi Gassama and Jayden Meghoma. Falkirk weren’t long on following suit as Alfredo Agyeman and Scott Arfield replaced Brian Graham and Calvin Miller.
John McGlynn’s side had a massive opportunity on the hour mark as Alfredo Agyeman closed down on Jack Butland, but nobody in a Falkirk jersey could get to the ball to take the chance.
There was another chance for Rangers to take the lead through ex-Sheffield Wednesday star Gassama, who forced a diving save from Bain to keep things level. Bajrami had the opportunity to score but he managed to divert the ball wide when it looked easier to score.
Ethan Williams took an attempt from just outside the area, bringing Butland off of his line to save. The Falkirk corner that followed was played long by Williams, but headed away by Rangers.
Falkirk’s final changes included a forced injury substitution with Adams being replaced by Sam Hart, and Ethan Ross and Ryan Edwards replacing Kyrell Wilson and Filip Lissah.
Five minutes of additional time were shown as Falkirk were awarded a free kick from 40 yards. Port Vale loanee Hart delivered it into the box as the visitors looked for that winning goal but they lacked the quality they’ve shown in recent weeks.
Neither team were able to find the back of the net before the full-time whistle, and the points were shared at Ibrox as the Bairns’ excellent Scottish Premiership run continued.
Falkirk now face in-form Motherwell on Wednesday night at the Falkirk Stadium.
Team information: Rangers 0-0 Falkirk
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Fernandez, Djiga, Aarons, Barron, Raskin, Aasgaard, Antman, Bajrami, Miovski.
Subs: Kelly, Diomonde, Cameron, Nsiala, Sterling, Gassama, Meghoma, Curtis, Danilo.
Falkirk: Bain, Adams, Henderson, Allan, Lissah, Spencer, Tait, Williams, Miller, Wilson, Graham.
Subs: Hogarth, McCann, Agyeman, Cartwright, Ross, Edwards, Arfield, Hart, Samuel-Ogunsuyi.
Referee: Steven McLean.
Attendance: 50,288.
FH POTM: Alfredo Agyeman.