Raith Rovers 1-2 Rangers

Jul 27 2008 Scott McDermott At Stark's Park

WALTER SMITH had planned to field the same starting line-up against Kaunas in the Champions League as he put out against Raith.

But after another tepid pre-season display the Rangers boss might be tempted to put out the team that FINISHED at Stark's Park.

The Ibrox club's preparations for the crunch Euro qualifying tie on Wednesday yesterday went from bad to worse.

Key defender Carlos Cuellar lasted just 28 minutes before limping off, adding to Smith's injury list that includes Barry Ferguson, Lee McCulloch and Kevin Thomson.

It was the Spaniard's first pre-season game after a niggling calf strain. He signalled immediately to the Gers' bench to get him off after he stretched for a Mark Ferry cross.

Injuries aside, the Rangers backroom team must be concerned at how they're shaping up before facing Kaunas.

The Lithuanians should be swept away with minimum fuss but they'll be awkward opponents and are in mid-season.

Smith's side look rusty and lack midfield creativity - something he must fix before the August 31 transfer deadline.

Goals from Nacho Novo and Daniel Cousin sealed the win but Walter admitted he could take no real positives from the friendly.

He said: "The only positive is that the pre-season is over. We didn't play well and haven't found a level of consistency.

"You have to give credit to Raith who worked hard and played well. But we were well below par and that was disappointing."

Smith went with an attack-minded 4-3-3 against John McGlynn's side, with their tried-and-trusted back four of last term.

Brahim Hemdani, Steven Whittaker and Charlie Adam made up an ineffective midfield, with Kris Boyd, Kenny Miller and Jean-Claude Darcheville up front.

Gers' shape varied at times, with Miller periodically dropping back into left wingand making at 4-4-2.

But the Scotland striker didn't look comfortable and barely touched the ball in a hugely disappointing first half.

Darcheville and Boyd had the visitors' only clear-cut chances. The Frenchman blasted against Rovers keeper David McGurn when he drove through on goal while Boyd's snapshot crept inches wide.

Raith looked just as dangerous - Allan Walker's 25-yard thunderbolt forced Allan McGregor into a brilliant save in 28 minutes.

But moments later Cuellar pulled up and Raith took the lead within 60 seconds.

Walker's deep cross was met by Ian Davidson's header from six yards - and McGregor seemed to have the effort covered.

But he let the ball slip from his grasp and Kevin Smith - who tormented Rangers' back-line at times - slid in to open the scoring.

Kirk Broadfoot had moved into central defence in Cuellar's absence and the former St Mirren stopper came close to an equaliser just before the break when he powered a header against the bar from an Adam corner.

There were no changes at halftime and Rangers toiled to get back in the match.

On the hour, they were nearly 2-0 down when Mark Campbell's header looped just over from a Robert Sloan free-kick.

Gers' made a triple change in 62 minutes when Andrius Velicka, Novo and Dean Furman replaced Boyd, Darcheville and Hemdani.

The new faces combined to create the equaliser.

Velicka's flick found Miller who sent Novo racing in on McGurn. The former Raith frontman made no mistake with a left-foot finish.

Gers gave a debut to £3million signing Lafferty and Cousin also came on to grab the winner.

The Northern Ireland star skinned Craig Wilson for pace on the left and sub Craig Wedderburn would have score an own goal if McGurn hadn't parried it clear.

But Cousin was at the back post to squeeze in the rebound.

The big Gabon striker looked in the mood and set up Velicka for what should have been his first goal for the club late on - but he nodded wide from six yards when it looked easier to score.

  

RAITH: McGurn, Wilson, Cook, Campbell, Ellis (Sloan 55), Walker (Silvestro 65), Dunbar (Wardlaw 62), Davidson (Wedderburn 77), Weir, Smith (Graham 73), Ferry (Beveridge 83).

RANGERS: McGregor, Broadfoot, Cuellar (Dailly 29), Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Hemdani(Furman 62), Adam (Lafferty 77), Darcheville (Novo 62), Boyd (Velicka 62), Miller (Cousin 77). REF: Steve Conroy.