Annan Athletic

  • 8-10-15
  • 8th in Scottish League One

Annan Athletic

SOCCER

    Rangers 2-0 Annan Athletic

    Joey Barton made his long-awaited Rangers debut as the Ibrox side claimed a 2-0 Betfred Cup win over Annan at Ibrox.Mark Warburton gave the former England midfielder the last half an hour of the Group F clash and got an insight into what he is capable of with his energy and tenacity.However, the highlight of an otherwise low-key opening home fixture was Barrie McKay's sensational long-range opener after 30 minutes. Martyn Waghorn killed off Jim Chapman's side with the second goal 15 minutes from time.As well as Barton's second-half run-out, the Ibrox faithful got a first glimpse of fellow summer signings Matt Gilks, Clint Hill and Lee Hodson, while Josh Windass and Niko Kranjcar also started following their debuts in Saturday's 2-0 win over Motherwell.However, Joe Dodoo's arrival from Leicester on a four-year deal earlier on Tuesday came too late for the striker to feature against the League Two minnows.Having got off to a slow start against Well, Gers were hoping to make more of an impact this time. Michael O'Halloran and Windass looked lively down the flanks, while Kranjcar's quality in midfield was obvious.But while Rangers had almost sole use of the ball it took them half an hour to find the breakthrough.It was worth the wait though as McKay produced a strike even sweeter than one he netted against Celtic last season as he fizzed the strike past Blair Currie.Cutting in from the left, the Scotland winger unleashed an unstoppable 25-yard drive which the Annan goalkeeper had no chance of keeping out.Currie had done better with two efforts from Hodson, though, first parrying the former Kilmarnock full-back's header from point-blank range before pushing away a long-range shot.A slick combination move involving McKay, Waghorn and Lee Wallace should have produced a second goal early in the second half but the Ibrox skipper prodded his shot wide, while Kranjcar was denied by Currie's finger-tip save.That was the Croatian's last involvement as Barton was introduced on the hour to a deafening cheer from the 31,500-strong crowd. He almost made himself an instant hero with just his second touch, whipping a 20-yard free-kick just wide of the target.Fellow substitute Kenny Miller was foiled by another Currie save soon after but Waghorn was not to be halted as he followed up his weekend Fir Park strike with another composed finish after Hodson rolled the ball in behind the Annan defence. ends
    • 8Y
    • PA Sport

    Annan Athletic

    SOCCER

    Annan Athletic

    SOCCER

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    2023-24 SPFL League One Ladder

    TeamGPWDLGDP
    Falkirk332760+6887
    Hamilton Academical331986+4065
    Alloa Athletic3315711+552
    Montrose3313812-147
    Cove Rangers3313713-446
    Kelty Hearts3312714-1043
    Queen of the South3310716-837
    Annan Athletic3381015-1434
    Stirling Albion339717-2134
    Edinburgh City333525-558

    2023-24 Team Leaders

    Scottish League One

    Rankings

    Scottish League One

    Goal Difference
    -14
    8th
    Goals Scored
    49
    6th
    Assists
    31
    6th
    Goals Conceded
    63
    9th