Co-operative Insurance Cup highlights - St Mirren 0-1 Rangers
By Andy Campbell
Rangers claimed victory in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final, despite having two men sent off against St Mirren at Hampden.
The Buddies dominated the first half, Steven Thomson and David Barron coming close to breaking the deadlock.
Kevin Thomson was sent off for a dangerous tackle on his namesake Steven and Danny Wilson saw red for a professional foul on Craig Dargo.
But Kenny Miller headed a dramatic winner for Rangers in the 84th minute.
For St Mirren it was heartbreak as they failed to secure their first League Cup triumph, while Rangers claimed their 26th tournament win.
Saints made a positive start and Billy Mehmet robbed David Weir of possession and sent a deflected cross to the back post, forcing Sasa Papac to head out of play.
Steven Whittaker arrowed a low drive into the grasp of St Mirren goalkeeper Paul Gallacher before setting up Miller for a run and shot but the striker could not keep his effort down.
Alexander, who replaced regular first-choice goalkeeper Allan McGregor as per the previous rounds of the competition, wanted too much time with a backpass and was almost caught by Jack Ross but the ball rebounded out for a goal-kick.
But Alexander looked more assured moments later when he made a goal-line save to deny Steven Thomson after the midfielder had been found by Michael Higdon's cut-back.
Miller netted with a powerful header past goalkeeper Gallacher
From the resulting corner, the ball broke out to Barron, who was deployed in central defence in the absence of Chris Innes, and he clipped the top of the crossbar with a long-range pile-driver.
Pressure continued to come on the Rangers defence and Higdon fired into the side netting after latching on to Mehmet's flick-on.
Steven Davis had been an illness doubt for Rangers before kick-off and was withdrawn at half-time, Maurice Edu coming on in a reshaped line-up.
Saints came close when Ross headed a long ball down to Mehmet, who turned Weir before sending a tame shot into Alexander's arms.
Kevin Thomson saw red after being penalised for a late lunge on Steven Thomson during another St Mirren advance.
The flashpoint brought an edge to the game and referee Craig Thomson had a word with several players in an attempt to calm proceedings.
Rangers looked to take advantage of a growing number of set plays but neither Kris Boyd or Edu could find the target with headers.
A Nacho Novo free-kick caused chaos in the St Mirren box and Higdon made a crucial block to divert Miller's shot wide.
Steven Thomson crossed for Higdon but the striker could not get his foot around the ball enough to test the Rangers goal.
Dargo replaced Mehmet and made an immediate impact as he tried to reach a long ball and was pulled back by Danny Wilson. The defender was promptly sent off, with the referee adjudging that Wilson had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
But St Mirren struggled to make their numerical advantage count and were punished on a breakaway as substitute Steven Naismith crossed for Miller to head beyond Gallacher.
The shell-shocked Saints pushed for an equaliser but could not find a way through a resolute Rangers back-line.
90:00+3:02 The ball is delivered by Graham Carey, clearance by David Weir.
90:00+2:20 The ball is sent over by Graham Carey, Steven Naismith manages to make a clearance.
90:00+1:18 Unfair challenge on Lee McCulloch by Michael Higdon results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Neil Alexander.
90:00+0:05 Andy Dorman challenges Steven Whittaker unfairly and gives away a free kick. Neil Alexander takes the free kick.
88:51 Neil Alexander takes the direct free kick.
88:51 Substitution Steven Smith is brought on as a substitute for Nacho Novo.
88:51 Free kick awarded for a foul by Craig Dargo on David Weir.
88:23 The ball is crossed by Graham Carey, blocked by Nacho Novo.
88:10 Short corner taken by Graham Carey.
87:58 The ball is delivered by Jack Ross, blocked by Sasa Papac.
87:30 Steven Thomson takes a shot. David Weir gets a block in.
87:13 Graham Carey sends in a cross.
86:12 Lee Mair concedes a free kick for a foul on Kenny Miller. Kenny Miller restarts play with the free kick.
85:32 Stephen O'Donnell challenges Steven Naismith unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Neil Alexander.
84:38 Substitution Stephen O'Donnell replaces Garry Brady.
84:13 Booking Booking for Kenny Miller.
83:02 Assist on the goal came from Steven Naismith.
83:02 GOAL - Kenny Miller:St Mirren 0 - 1 Rangers Kenny Miller grabs a headed goal from deep inside the penalty box. St Mirren 0-1 Rangers.
82:58 Steven Naismith sends in a cross,
82:37 Graham Carey crosses the ball, Steven Naismith gets a block in.
81:51 Effort on goal by Nacho Novo from just inside the area clears the bar.
81:09 Effort on goal by Graham Carey from deep inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.
81:01 The ball is sent over by Jack Ross.
79:54 Michael Higdon gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Maurice Edu. Sasa Papac takes the free kick.
78:45 Substitution Kris Boyd leaves the field to be replaced by Steven Naismith.
78:26 Centre by Graham Carey.
78:05 The ball is delivered by Jack Ross, clearance by Maurice Edu.
75:59 The ball is crossed by Graham Carey.
75:11 Maurice Edu has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide right of the goal.
74:29 Graham Carey takes the inswinging corner, Neil Alexander makes a comfortable save.
74:16 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Andy Dorman from the left by-line, David Weir manages to make a clearance.
74:05 Andy Dorman takes a shot. David Weir gets a block in.
73:38 Andy Dorman takes a shot. Blocked by David Weir.
72:45 Booking The referee books Lee McCulloch for time wasting.
72:18 Kris Boyd fouled by Jack Ross, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Sasa Papac.
70:24 Shot on goal comes in from Graham Carey from the free kick, blocked by Nacho Novo.
70:24 Sent off Danny Wilson is shown a red card for professional foul.
70:03 Free kick awarded for a foul by Danny Wilson on Craig Dargo.
69:08 Substitution Craig Dargo replaces Billy Mehmet.
68:42 Andy Dorman gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kris Boyd. David Weir delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed
from right channel, Lee Mair makes a clearance.
68:06 Steven Thomson sends in a cross, Michael Higdon produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes
wide of the right-hand post.
67:40 Graham Carey produces a cross, Sasa Papac manages to make a clearance.
66:53 Free kick crossed by David Weir.
66:53 Booking Garry Brady receives a caution.
66:45 Unfair challenge on Kenny Miller by Garry Brady results in a free kick.
66:22 The ball is sent over by Steven Whittaker, clearance made by Lee Mair.
65:19 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Steven Thomson by Lee McCulloch. Graham Carey fires a strike on goal direct from
the free kick.
64:43 Corner from the right by-line taken by Nacho Novo, Close range headed effort by Danny Wilson clears the crossbar.
63:30 David Barron challenges Maurice Edu unfairly and gives away a free kick. Nacho Novo sends in a cross, Kenny Miller takes a
shot. Blocked by Michael Higdon.
62:48 A cross is delivered by Jack Ross.
62:10 Free kick awarded for a foul by Maurice Edu on Michael Higdon. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Graham Carey, Danny
Wilson manages to make a clearance.
61:15 Corner taken by Nacho Novo, clearance made by Michael Higdon.
61:04 Centre by Maurice Edu, Graham Carey gets a block in.
60:53 Steven Whittaker sends in a cross, clearance by John Potter.
59:44 Michael Higdon gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Lee McCulloch. Free kick taken by Maurice Edu.
59:08 Substitution Andy Dorman is brought on as a substitute for Hugh Murray.
58:02 John Potter challenges Kris Boyd unfairly and gives away a free kick. The ball is crossed by Sasa Papac, Headed effort from
inside the area by Danny Wilson misses to the right of the target.
56:37 A cross is delivered by Nacho Novo, Headed effort from inside the area by Kris Boyd misses to the left of the goal.
56:37 Booking Lee Mair goes into the book.
56:18 Kenny Miller fouled by Lee Mair, the ref awards a free kick.
54:48 Lee Mair gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Neil Alexander. Neil Alexander restarts play with the free kick.
52:50 Graham Carey crosses the ball in from the free kick, blocked by Kris Boyd.
52:50 Sent off Kevin Thomson shown a red card for violent conduct.
52:27 Kevin Thomson concedes a free kick for a foul on Steven Thomson.
51:42 Corner taken left-footed by Graham Carey to the near post, clearance by Danny Wilson.
51:32 The ball is delivered by Billy Mehmet, Lee McCulloch gets a block in.
50:54 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Hugh Murray by Kenny Miller. Free kick crossed by Graham Carey, clearance made
by David Weir.
49:55 The ball is sent over by Steven Whittaker, Sasa Papac produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the
right of the target.
49:03 Kenny Miller produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the target.
47:03 Kevin Thomson produces a left-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses right.
45:45 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nacho Novo by Lee Mair. Nacho Novo crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed
from right wing, Graham Carey manages to make a clearance.
45:01 The referee gets the second half underway.
Half Time
45:00+1:17 The referee calls an end to the first half.
45:00+1:00 Graham Carey gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steven Whittaker. David Weir takes the direct free kick.
45:00+0:10 Steven Thomson produces a cross, Steven Whittaker manages to make a clearance.
45:00 Substitution Maurice Edu joins the action as a substitute, replacing Steven Davis.
44:36 Steven Whittaker sends in a cross, clearance made by Steven Thomson.
44:13 Steven Davis sends in a cross, Garry Brady gets a block in.
43:33 Close range effort by Michael Higdon goes wide of the left-hand upright.
42:44 Lee McCulloch produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the target.
40:40 David Barron takes a shot.
40:17 Inswinging corner taken by Graham Carey, clearance made by Lee McCulloch.
39:49 Michael Higdon crosses the ball, Steven Thomson takes a shot. Save by Neil Alexander.
36:07 Unfair challenge on Kris Boyd by Lee Mair results in a free kick. Steven Whittaker restarts play with the free kick.
33:37 Effort on goal by Kenny Miller from just inside the penalty box goes harmlessly over the target.
32:02 Corner taken by Graham Carey.
31:55 Jack Ross delivers the ball, Kevin Thomson gets a block in.
31:12 Unfair challenge on Jack Ross by Kris Boyd results in a free kick. Paul Gallacher takes the direct free kick.
29:59 Unfair challenge on Steven Whittaker by Michael Higdon results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Kevin Thomson.
29:08 Michael Higdon challenges Danny Wilson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Neil Alexander restarts play with the free kick.
28:36 Graham Carey crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing.
28:36 Booking Steven Whittaker shown a yellow card.
28:24 Foul by Steven Whittaker on Graham Carey, free kick awarded.
28:12 The ball is crossed by Graham Carey, clearance by Lee McCulloch.
28:05 The ball is sent over by Steven Thomson.
26:55 Kris Boyd gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Lee Mair. Direct free kick taken by Paul Gallacher.
25:42 A cross is delivered by Kris Boyd, Graham Carey makes a clearance.
22:58 Steven Whittaker takes a shot. Paul Gallacher makes a comfortable save.
22:02 The ball is swung over by David Barron, David Weir makes a clearance.
21:28 The ball is delivered by Graham Carey.
21:25 Steven Thomson crosses the ball.
20:34 Unfair challenge on Steven Whittaker by Billy Mehmet results in a free kick. Neil Alexander restarts play with the free kick.
18:39 David Weir takes the direct free kick.
18:39 Booking Hugh Murray receives a caution.
18:32 Unfair challenge on Lee McCulloch by Hugh Murray results in a free kick.
16:45 Jack Ross produces a cross.
16:09 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on John Potter by Kris Boyd. Paul Gallacher takes the direct free kick.
15:42 The ball is swung over by Graham Carey.
14:19 Graham Carey produces a cross, clearance by David Weir.
12:56 Unfair challenge on Kevin Thomson by Steven Thomson results in a free kick. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Steven
Davis from left channel, Lee Mair manages to make a clearance.
12:32 Lee Mair crosses the ball.
11:46 David Weir gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Michael Higdon. Free kick crossed right-footed by John Potter.
10:50 Michael Higdon takes a shot. Blocked by Danny Wilson.
8:58 Michael Higdon gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steven Whittaker. Neil Alexander restarts play with the free
kick.
8:28 Nacho Novo takes a shot. Blocked by David Barron.
8:11 Handball by Billy Mehmet. Danny Wilson takes the direct free kick.
7:51 Steven Whittaker sends in a cross, clearance by David Barron.
7:13 A cross is delivered by Graham Carey, Danny Wilson makes a clearance.
7:04 The ball is swung over by Steven Thomson, David Weir makes a clearance.
6:41 Graham Carey delivers the ball.
6:13 Graham Carey takes the outswinging corner, Kris Boyd manages to make a clearance.
5:16 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Graham Carey by Kevin Thomson. Graham Carey crosses the ball in from the free
kick, clearance by David Weir.
4:43 The ball is swung over by Michael Higdon, Danny Wilson gets a block in.
4:22 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Graham Carey, clearance by Lee McCulloch.
4:06 Billy Mehmet crosses the ball, clearance made by Sasa Papac.
2:41 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Graham Carey.
2:30 The ball is crossed by Graham Carey, clearance made by Sasa Papac.
2:22 The ball is crossed by Jack Ross, David Weir makes a clearance.
1:14 The ball is swung over by Sasa Papac, clearance by Lee Mair.
0:00 The referee gets the game underway.
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