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Rangers 2:1 Blackburn Rovers (Goals & Miller Interview Video) Sunday, 25 July 2010 11:55 Written by Bazza

Miller and Edu fired Rangers into a very convincing start at the Sydney Festival of Football in the early hours of this morning as they eased past Premiership Blackburn.

Rangers once more fielded a very strong starting eleven after hinting of the youngsters making more of an impact in the side.

Greig Wylde would be the most disappointed after injuries looked to have let him get a starting role in the side but Walter elected to try something a bit more extravagant in defence by shifting Bougherra out to Right back in a back four of Bougherra, Webster, Weir and Broadfoot.

McCulloch was deployed in the holding role allowing a midfield four of Naismith, Davis, Edu and Lafferty to support the lone striker of Miller, the makings of our European setup perhaps?

The system worked though as Rangers dominated the first half. David Weir, Miller and Lafferty all had chances before Edu finally handed the Gers the lead. Miller had been fouled and the resulting free kick from Davis saw Edu power a header home.

Miller had another couple of chances to extend the lead and he finally found the back of the net after good work from Naismith and Lafferty down the right saw Lafferty cross for Miller to fire home and give Rangers the commanding and deserved half time lead.

Blackburn were not going to be walked over though and came out a more determined side in the second half and McGregor had to be on his toes to save sharply from Hoilett, Roberts and Diouf, Webster also had to clear from under his own bar.

Rangers got back onto the front foo again though as good play, again, by Lafferty and Naismith put Edu through on goal and he was brought down to allow Miller the chance from the spot. Miller powered the spot kick right into the woodwork though and rangers had to sit on the 2-0 lead.

Blackburn were to make the final staged a bit more nervy than they could have been though when Dunn did what Miller couldn’t and drilled home a soft Blackburn spot kick.

Some of the young guns got a run out after 65 minutes with Perry, Wylde and Fleck coming on for Broadfoot, Edu and Miller respectively and Fleck could have rounded things off really well for the men in blue when he won the ball and had his shot well saved from the Blackburn keeper.

The result puts Rangers in good position in the tournament but more importantly gives the Gers a boost of confidence against a non-too shabby opposition.

RANGERS: McGregor; Bougherra (Perry 65), Webster, Weir, Broadfoot; McCulloch; Naismith, Davis, Edu (Wylde 65), Lafferty; Miller (Fleck 65).

SUBS: Shinnie, Whittaker, Adam.

BLACKBURN: Robinson, Salgado (Jacobsen 67), Givet, N'Zonzi (Hanley 60), Chimbonda, Jones, Hoilett, Dunn (Grella 78), Roberts (Ritgers 85), Diouf, Pedersen (Emerton 60).

SUBS: Nelsen, Brown, Morris, Linganzi, Bunn

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