FALKIRK 1 RANGERS 3 FIFTY weeks ago Rangers arrived in Falkirk and ran up the white flag as they went down 1-0 to a John Hughes team that battered them in horrible conditions. That was then. This is now and the Rangers team under Walter Smith doesn't roll over as easily as the namby-pamby collection Paul Le Guen had assembled. In fact, only four of the Rangers starting line-up survived from that debacle and Allan McGregor, Alan Hutton, Sasa Papac and Barry Ferguson have been joined by a far more resilient lot. They didn't play brilliantly on Saturday but they had more than enough about them to beat a Falkirk side that might have had more joy if they had played the first hour like they performed in the last 30 minutes. Only when the Bairns had fallen two goals behind did they throw off the shackles and begin to get at Rangers. And when they did the visitors were shaken out of their comfort zone. The introduction of Pedro Moutinho for Russell Latapy, who had a day when the magic dried up, made all the difference to Falkirk and the Portuguese wide man gave Hutton more problems than some of the best players in the world have this season. Moutinho grabbed a goal within five minutes of his introduction to give Falkirk afoothold in a game that looked lost and between his 63rd-minute strike and injury time they looked more likely to equalise than concede a third. That they didn't was down to two superb stops from McGregor, who might just challenge Craig Gordon's monopoly on the national team jersey if he keeps this up. McGregor's stop from a fabulous overhead kick from Graham Barrett was nothing short of sensational, arching his back and stretching every sinew to tip on to the roof of the net a ball that had dropped over and behind him. That save was matched late on by an instinctive stop from a Hutton header that looked certain to end up in his own net. It was a day, in fact, when both keepers were kept on their toes as much by their own mates as by the opposition. With the score at 0-0, Falkirk's Tim Krul made an astonishing point-blank stop from his skipper Steven Thomson, whose knee looked certain to divert Jean-Claude Darcheville's cross behind the keeper. That Darcheville should be involved was no surprise as he was outstanding in the first half with his powerful running, the highlight of which was a surge to the edge of the box and a perfectly-weighted pass that Ferguson, who had bust a gut to get on the end of after a run from deep, should have finished. The captain shot wide and Falkirk went in at the break trailing by only one goal-- a 26th-minute free header given to Carlos Cuellar from DaMarcus Beasley's corner. Falkirk paid the price for poor marking and Hughes wasn't chuffed at the loss of the second goal either, although Lee McCulloch's delivery to Darcheville was excellent and the finish was clinical. At that stage, 10 minutes after the break, it looked done and dusted. Rangers were controlling the tempo and nobody was doing it better than Kevin Thomson. By his own admission Thomson took some time to find his feet at Ibrox but he has now settled and his energy, tackling and ability to snuff out danger at its point of origin was an integral part of this victory. The former Hibs player's stability and ability also helped Ferguson forge forward in the knowledge Thomson would plug any gaps should possession be lost. The only player who challenged Thomson as the most accomplished midfielder on show was the Bairns' Patrick Cregg, whose passing and tackling was also out of the top drawer. But it was the injection of Moutinho, with Hughes deciding to go for it at 2-0 that changed the game. Falkirk really did have the visitors worried after Moutinho had got on the end of a Darren Barr knock down from Dean Holden's free-kick - awarded after a challenge by Hutton on the Portuguese player that should have been a yellow card. Ref Charlie Richmond did book Beasley for diving but on the occasion he pulled out the yellow car, the American looked as if he had taken a dunt. But what can't be denied is the slightlybuilt winger does go down at the merest touch and he ought to cut it out. Falkirk were pushing for the equaliser in the dying stages when they were hit by a classic sucker punch. Aquick, long throw from McGregor released one sub, Steven Naismith, who ran from the halfway line on the left before sending over a low cross that found the other replacement, Kris Boyd, waiting for a tap-in. It looked easy but how come Boyd was the one who timed his run to perfection? Because he's the best in the business at it in Scotland - yet he still can't get a game. His cameo on Saturday was just 10 minutes, yet another goal was added to his collection. The striker must be incredibly frustrated but all he can do is keep scoring goals and he's never had a problem doing that. Falkirk played well. In fact, there were times they played too much football when a more direct approach might have rattled Rangers. It was all a little tame, though. A bit like the entire match, in fact. The new Falkirk Stadium is many things - two fine stands and an immaculate playing surface for a start - but it is not Brockville. Not by along shot. Had Falkirk got back into the game with half an hour to go at their old home the place would have been rocking on its creaky foundations. The sooner two new stands go up the better chance Falkirk will have of making the top six. Their players have the ability and they have the manager - of that there is little doubt. MAN OF THE MATCH Kevin Thomson (Rangers) MATCH STATS 65 POSSESSION 35% 4 SHOTS ON TARGET 4 2 SHOTS OFF TARGET 2 6 CORNERS 5 21 FOULS CONCEDED 13 2 OFFSIDES 3 FALKIRK MAN BY MAN Tim Krul: Outstanding save to prevent og but helpless for all three goals 7 Gerard Aafjes: No-nonsense defender got better of Cousin but not Darcheville 6 Darren Barr:Peformed admirably enough against two-pronged attack 6 Kenny Milne: Reliable as ever 6 Dean Holden: Long throw threat and his dangerous free-kick led to Falkirk's goal 6 Steven Thomson:Keeps things neat and simple but could be more creative 6 Patrick Cregg: Driving force for his side and developing into excellent midfielder 8 Russell Latapy: Ineffective but taken off due to contracting a neck injury 4 Scott Arfield: Could have made better attempt at back post for opener. Game largely passed youngster by 5 Graham Barrett: Robbed by miraculous McGregor save but put in power of work 6 Carl Finnigan:Poor touch and seemed out of sorts 5 Subs:Pedro Moutinho - gave Hutton a tough time and scored, 6. Michael Higdon - aerial presence but unable to deliver, 5. RANGERS MAN BY MAN Allan McGregor: Two saves after having little to do proved concentration spot on 8 Alan Hutton: Energetic display for an hour but Moutinho gave him problems 6 David Weir: Coped well with Falkirk strike force and a steadying influence at back 7 Carlos Cuellar: Scored opener but guilty of a couple of lapses. Has played better 6 Sasa Papac: Distribution not the best but solid defensively and rarely troubled 7 DaMarcus Beasley: Flitted in and out but great delivery for Cuellar goal 6 Barry Ferguson: Fine first half when he burst forward. Not as influential after break7 Kevin Thomson: Smashing match covering Ferguson's forays forward and snuffing out danger time and again 8 Lee McCulloch: Good solid show on left culminated in fine cross for second goal 7 Daniel Cousin: Not always involved and did his best work in the wider areas 6 Jean-Claude Darcheville: Deserved his goal for an all-action display 8 Subs: Steven Naismith - laid goal on Boyd's plate, 5. Kris Boyd - Only got 10 minutes but long enough to score again, 5. MAGIC MOMENT Allan McGregor's save from Graham Barrett was outstanding. | 
