BBC SPORT | Football | Scottish Cups (original) (raw)

Boyd fired Rangers in front at Ibrox

Holders Rangers eased into the last four of the Co-operative Insurance Cup with a convincing win over Hamilton.

Kris Boyd, who scored a double against Accies in Saturday's SPL victory, was the scourge of Billy Reid's side again.

He collected Jean-Claude Darcheville's pass after 25 minutes and fired past goalkeeper Tomas Cerny.

Rangers put the tie beyond doubt five minutes after the break when Kyle Lafferty headed past Cerny from a sumptuous Steve Davis cross.

Smith made three changes from Saturday's clash at New Douglas Park, with the injured Kevin Thomson, DaMarcus Beasley and Kenny Miller replaced by Maurice Edu, Darcheville and Lafferty.

Rangers captain Barry Ferguson, who had been sidelined for five months with an ankle injury, was named among the substitutes for Walter Smith's side.

Hamilton failed to create anything of note on a disappointing night for Billy Reid's side.

The visitors appealed for a penalty when Richard Offiong went to ground under pressure from Madjid Bougherra after 70 minutes, but referee Eddie Smith waved away their appeals.

Nacho Novo came close to scoring Rangers' third within seconds of coming off the bench, before Lafferty squandered the chance to add his second of the night.

Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor's only action of the game was to punch Stephen Ettien's free-kick to safety in the final minute as the Ibrox side eased into the last four.

Rangers manager Walter Smith: "It was an awkward one tonight. Hamilton came to restrict us from playing the way we wanted to and they succeeded in doing that.

"I felt the game would open in the second half but it didn't happen.

"We had to work hard and it was a good second goal from us. I'm pleased to be in the semi-final.

"Madjid Bougherra's pace has helped us in home games like that, pushing forward and he covers well too. He's been very consistent since he came here.

"We'll have to hold Barry Ferguson back a bit; he's desperate to play and it's good to have him as an option."

Hamilton manager Billy Reid: "My players are exhausted after running their legs off against a team who kept the ball for fun at times. We're a young team; a group of 21 and under - and it showed.

"But it's a great learning curve coming here and playing against players like Pedro Mendes. As soon as you get close to him he takes one touch and it was a football lesson for us as times.

"I don't have any complaints about the scoreline or the efforts of my players."

Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, Davis, Mendes, Edu, Lafferty, Darcheville (Novo 73), Boyd. Subs Not Used: Alexander, Ferguson, Miller, Whittaker.

Goals: Boyd 25, Lafferty 50.

Hamilton: Cerny, McClenahan, Swailes (Corcoran 75), Elebert, Easton, Graham, McArthur, Neil, McCarthy (Ettien 69), Gibson, Akins (Offiong 59). Subs Not Used: Murdoch, Casement.

Att: 32,083