STARSHOT: Rangers v Falkirk - tight at the top

Leader John Baird was one of many who put in a positive display at Ibrox, but was he in the Starshot top three?

Pretty much every Bairn involved can have a claim on the coveted Starshot points but this week’s winners do not include leaders John Baird and Will Vaulks despite them terrorising Danny Wilson and neutralising Nicky Law’s midfield influence. Nor do they include defensive hero Peter Grant who, along with Paul Watson, Aaron Muirhead and Luke Leahy put bodies on the line and key tackles at key times. Nor even Danny Rogers who was largely untroubled but alert to tip a couple of awkward Rangers efforts away.

This week’s Starshot ratings...

*** Mark Kerr

Kept it simple and was a regular out-ball for the defence scrambling Rangers attacks away. And when Falkirk were in possession he was charging all over the park for the give-and-go. Falkirk’s intricate passing got them out many scrapes at Ibrox so it’s no surprise the midfield is prominent this week, and Kerr is the pivotal central role in that set-up

** Conor McGrandles

Played it patient and hung off in wehat appeared to be clever tactics from Peter Houston particularly in the first half but his delayed moves allowed him more time on the ball and more involvement generally. Expect the Unexpected is a frequent Falkirk saying, and McGreandles performed that with some confident turns in tight areas to create space and passes when none seemed on.

* Craig Sibbald

A new lease of life for last season’s hero now McGrandles is back. When the two combine they could be in an after-school football programme at Westfield... well they were at one stage. Played with freedom and confidence at Ibrox and gave James Tavernier a torrid time. More showings like this and a slow start to the season will be over-looked.

CURRENT STANDINGS

21 P.Grant, Baird; 19 Vaulks, Kerr; 17 Sibbald; 13 Rogers; 10 Miller; 9 Alston; 8 McHugh, Muirhead; 6 Taiwo; 5 Watson; 4 Smith, Leahy; 3 McCracken; 2 O’Hara, McGrandles.