Season Review 20092010 Season Review 20092010

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What a season.Jerome Rothen did not prove to be a succe sful addition for RangersBack in August, the Tony Mowbray revolution was in full swing acro s the city and the media had them already League Champions before the season had even kicked off. Unsurprisingly, no new players added during the summer after winning the first league title in four years but French midfielder Jerome Rothen was signed on loan from PSG towards the end of August. Former captain Barry Ferguson moved down south to Birmingham, Charlie Adam joined Blackpool, Chris Burke joined Cardiff and Pedro Mendes headed back home to Lisbon in what was a busy summer in terms of departures rather than arrivals.McCulloch with stunning strike on opening dayAfter participation in the Emirates Cup and beating Manchester City in pre-season, the league champions kicked off the campaign with a 4-1 victory over Falkirk which saw Lee McCulloch scoring a wondergoal from 30 yards. Controversial referees would be an important phrase coming from our rivals this season and the conspiracy was in top gear when the Gers were awarded a last-minute penalty at Tynecastle which Kris Boyd converted to snatch Rangers a 2-1 win against Laszlos Hearts. The week after, Hamilton fell to the same scoreline as the first game of the season at Ibrox, a 4-1 victory for Rangers. Three wins from three in August, and the Gers were marauding to another title.Naismith denied huge penalty claim against SevillaHowever, September was not to be a great month for Rangers with three consecutive SPL draws against Motherwell, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen which left the light blues sitting 4 points behind Celtic at the end of the month. September also saw the start of the UEFA Champions League and the Gers got off to a great start with a 1-1 draw in Stuttgart with Madjid Bougherra scoring a second half equaliser. Matchday two was a night to forget for Rangers after Spanish side Sevilla battered the Ibrox side in Glasgow 4-1 with all the goals coming in the second half. That night left a bitter taste in the mouth after Steven Naismith was denied a stonewall penalty just before half-time which would have changed the game. On a minor positive note, the Gers progre sed to the next round of the League Cup with a 2-1 win over Queen of the South.Kenny Miller scoring in first Old Firm derby of the seasonOctober began with the best way of getting over a European nightmare, a home clash with Celtic. The champions came through, despite a number of injuries, to beat Mowbrays side 2-1 with Kenny Miller bagging an early double before McGeady got one back from the penalty spot. Cue The conspiracy after allegedly three penalties were turned down for the away side. Rangers got out of jail the following week as Sasa Papacs late winner was enough to see off St Johnstone in Perth.A night to forget for RangersMatchday three in the Champions League would provide one of the sorest moments as a Rangers supporter when Romanian minnows Unirea Urziceni came to Ibrox. Pedro Mendes opened the scoring after a few minutes, but Dan Petrescus side ultimately spanked Rangers with 4 goals in reply after a disgraceful performance from the Gers.A night Id rather forget in all honesty.The mood around Ibrox was not helped when Anthony Stokes equalised to give Hibs a 1-1 draw at Ibrox as John Hughes side continued their excellent start to the season. In midweek, the Gers progre sed to the next round of the League Cup after a 3-1 win at Dundee.McCulloch and Weir after disappointment in RomaniaThe first day of November was a washout for Rangers at Tannadice as the game against Dundee United was postponed at half-time due to a waterlogged pitch. It was looking good for Rangers in Bucharest when Lee McCulloch fired home what looked like the winning goal until Unirea produced a kick in the teeth for the Gers when Onofras equalised with two minutes remaining. Two wins in the SPL against Kilmarnock and St Mirren followed as the Gers got back on track, but a double-header against Stuttgart and Aberdeen provided two crushing defeats for Smiths men The Germans winning 2-0 at Ibrox, going on 8-0, and Aberdeen winning 1-0 at Pittodrie in their annual game where they actually are up for it.Beasley was at the heart of Rangers great form in DecemberDecember looked a gruelling month with 7 games but Rangers produced some stunning form during this month and looked like they were wiping the floor with everyone as their fluid 4-4-2 formation caught the opposition cold. After beating Falkirk and St Johnstone, the Gers headed back to Tannadice to replay their abandoned game and DaMarcus Beasley kicked the Gers off with a fine solo goal early on before Kenny Miller added two goals in the second half. In Jim Gannons last game as Well bo s, the Champions rattled the Fir Park side with a 6-1 victory at Ibrox, Beasley and Miller both on the scoresheet aswell.Miller scoring in 4-1 win at Easter RoadAfter Anthony Stokes put Hibs ahead in 12 seconds, Rangers produced a stunning fightback to beat Hibs 4-1 at Easter Road with Miller another two goals against his former club. His strike-partner grabbed the headlines in the following fixture when Kris Boyd beat Henrik Lar sons SPL record in a fantastic performance from Smiths side in a 7-1 win over Dundee United, just after Craig Levein had departed the Arabs to become Scotland bo s.McCulloch headers home equaliser at Celtic ParkThere is no better way to start off the new year with an Old Firm derby, but the Gers had luck on their side when Lee McCulloch bulleted home a header just after Scott McDonald had put the home side ahead in a game that, in all honesty, the Gers were lucky to leave with a point. Rangers would then have to face Hamilton three times in 9 days after a 3-3 Scottish Cup draw, but the Gers saw off the Accies in a 2-0 replay win combined with a 1-0 SPL win in between.Andrew Little was the hero against Hearts with stoppage time equaliserYoungster Andrew Little scored in stoppage time to give Rangers a 1-1 draw with Hearts after Scott Robinson had given the Edinburgh side the lead. The next two SPL games which would lead into February ended in Rangers victories as Falkirk and St Mirren were eased off by the Champions. Rangers also reached the first cup final of the season after a 2-0 win over St Johnstone at Hampden and were forced to another cup replay, this time against St Mirren after a 0-0 draw in Paisley but Kris Boyd got the winner late in the replay to send Rangers through.Edu with very late winner against CelticAs Rangers sat 7 points clear, the third Old Firm derby of the season was upon us and provided one of the sweetest moments for me as a Rangers fan. Scott Brown was sent off in the second half after a headbutt on Kyle Lafferty and the game looked destined for a 0-0 draw. But Maurice Edu had other ideas, after Madjid Bougherras volley was saved from Boruc setting up a ma sive goalmouth scramble before the US International struck home the winning goal in 93 minutes to spark amazing celebrations from the Rangers supporters.Rangers FC Scottish League Cup Winners 2010Now 10 points clear, the league looked in the bag for Rangers and the league champions secured three league wins on the spin against St Mirren, Kilmarnock and a 4-1 win at Hearts. However, the 21st March at Hampden Park will provide the best memories from this month when a spirited Rangers produced a miraculous victory over St Mirren in the League Cup Final with only 9 men. Kenny Millers late header secured the first trophy of the season after Kevin Thomson and Danny Wilson were sent off before. In the Scottish Cup, Rangers were knocked out by Dundee United at Tannadice before St Johnstone produced an unbelievable 4-1 victory over the champions at McDiarmid Park.Rangers were on course to win league before SPL splitRangers headed into April knowing maximum points would allow the championship to be secured on the first game of the split. After wins against Hamilton and Aberdeen, the Gers looked on their way to winning the title at home against Hearts but a 0-0 draw against Dundee United postponed the title party for another week. Rangers then defeated Hearts 2-0, before setting up a date with destiny against Hibernian at Easter Road. Kyle Laffertys first-half goal proved to be the title-winning goal as Rangers beat Hibernian 1-0 to secure the 53rd League Championship.May gave us three final games which saw the Gers take on Dundee E'Twaun Moore Jersey United, Celtic and Motherwell. Firstly, a second-string Rangers side saw off United at Tannadice 2-1 with Boyd and Novo scoring. In the final Old Firm game of the season, Celtic took the victory with a 2-1 win which saw the Gers denied a stonewall penalty and another dive for Mr McGeady but thats the conspiracy for you. On the final day, Rangers were 3-1 ahead against Motherwell before Jennings and Jutkiewicz gave Motherwell a point after another spirited fightback. Captain Davie Weir was then handed the league championship on home turf, but subdued celebrations highlighted the major problems Rangers will face in the summer as speculation continues over the future of the club.Heres to league title 54.