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Rangers into Scottish Cup semis, remain on course for treble

13/04/2008

Rangers have secured themselves a place in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup after a 2-0 win over Partick Thistle.

Walter Smith's men remain on course for a clean-sweep of domestic trophies while they are also in the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup.

Both of Rangers' goals came in the first half with strikers Chris Burke and Nacho Novo linking up to create and score one each.

But Rangers did not have it all their own way and rode their luck, particularly in the second half.

The game could have been a lot different if Thistle full-back Marc Twaddle had converted his early chance.

After Alan McGregor had rushed out of his goal to deny David Rowson the ball fell to Twaddle but he could not find the target from 20 yards with the goal gaping.

Novo began the scoring midway through the half after good work by Burke on the right flank. He crossed and Novo had a simple tap in from close-range.

Ten minutes later Rangers doubled their lead. This time Novo turned provider and crossed a ball deep into the Thistle area. Kris Boyd headed the ball back across the box for Burke to head home.

In the second half Thistle stepped up their challenge to Rangers but could not take advantage of the chances they created.

Early in the second period Mark Roberts was tripped by David Weir to win a penalty but Simon Donnelly sent the spot kick high over the bar.

The Jags midfielder was then unlucky to see his shot come back off the frame of the goal with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Rangers had a chance to add some gloss to the scoreline late on when Alan Archibald brought down Burke in the box. But Daniel Cousin saw his penalty easily saved by Jonathan Tuffey.

Rangers will now play St Johnstone in the semi-final next week with the winner facing Queen of the South in the final.