MX23RW : Saturday, August 7 22:32:59| >> :600:96024:96024:
Jul 5, 2021 at 5pm UK
PartickPartick Thistle
0-1
RangersRangers
FT(HT: 0-0)
Itten (83')

Gary McAllister lauds "outstanding" Steven Davis in friendly win

Gary McAllister lauds
© Reuters
Cedric Itten scored and James Tavernier missed a penalty as the champions defeated Partick Thistle.

Gary McAllister singled out veteran midfielder Steven Davis as the pick of the 20 outfield players Rangers used in their 1-0 friendly win over Partick Thistle.

The Scottish champions began the match at Firhill with a team consisting mostly of fringe players and then made 10 changes for the second half – goalkeeper Robby McCrorie stayed on – with more star names involved.

A late Cedric Itten goal after skipper James Tavernier hit the post with a penalty gave the Gers victory in their first pre-season assignment.

Assistant manager McAllister highlighted the contribution of 36-year-old Northern Ireland international Davis.

He told Rangers' official YouTube channel: "The second half we played more senior players on the pitch and you could see the composure and the quality.

"Looking at Steven Davis again, outstanding, and I thought he was the pick of the game tonight.

"We spoke before the game and I said Thistle would give us a good test and it was.

"It was a great exercise tonight with 20 outfield players getting 45 minutes, which is getting minutes into their legs.

"Clean sheet. OK, we missed a penalty. But I liked the goal. Ianis (Hagi) was impressive with his back-post header, a good knock down to Cedric and a good goal."

McAllister was also impressed with 21-year-old midfielder Stephen Kelly, back from a loan spell at Ross County and on for the second half, saying "he did fantastically well".

Looking ahead to the friendly at Tranmere next weekend, the former Scotland midfielder said: "Stephen has progressed really well. He has had a couple of good loans and impressed with every team that he has gone to.

"I think he warranted that tonight in amongst some senior players and top international footballers. He was very competent."

McCrorie, 23, who was on loan at Livingston last season, also caught McAllister's eye.

"When you look at Robby now, he really has matured," he said. "I have noticed that around the training ground. He has become more of a man, taking more responsibility and ownership of his back four.

"He had a great save from the big lad (Brian) Graham to tip it over the bar and he had a really good night.

"We are hopeful of no injuries. There will be a few aches and pains but we will look forward to getting into the training ground and then travel down to Liverpool."

ID:454128: cacheID:454128:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4240:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Sheffield United's John Lundstram pictured in February 2021
Read Next:
John Lundstram signs for Rangers following Sheffield United exit
>

rhs 2.0
Olympic medal table header
CountryGold medalSilver MedalBronze MedalT
ChinaChina38311887
United StatesUnited States363933108
JapanJapan27121756
Olympics flagRussian Olympic Committee20262369
Great BritainGreat Britain20212263
Today's Olympic highlights header

Sunday's key events


ATHLETICS
· With the track and field action now finished, the final athletics event of the Games is the men's marathon, which includes three British representatives and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge (11pm)

CYCLING
· Laura Kenny goes for a sixth Olympic gold medal, and a second of the Tokyo Games, in the women's omnium (2am-4.25am)
· Jason Kenny also has another shot at gold on the final day of action, taking part in the men's keirin alongside compatriot Jack Carlin (2.24am-4am)

BASKETBALL
· After the men once again picked up Olympic gold, the USA women will attempt to replicate their success in the gold medal match against hosts Japan (3.30am)

VOLLEYBALL
· USA also have a chance for gold in the women's volleyball final against Brazil (5.30am)

BOXING
· Lauren Price bids to bring a successful Games to a golden close for Britain in the ring as she takes on Li Qian in the women's middleweight final (6.45am)

HANDBALL
· The women's gold medal match sees the Russian Olympic Committee take on France (7am)

WATER POLO
· The final gold medal of the Games is likely to be handed out in water polo, when Greece face Serbia in the men's gold medal match (8.30am)

CLOSING CEREMONY
· A unique and memorable Olympic Games officially comes to a close (12pm)

> Today's schedule in full
Todays Game Header Right
Community Shield
Championship
Olympic Games Men's Football
Scottish Premiership
Ligue 1
Primeira Liga
Coppa Italia
DFB-Pokal
League One
League Two
Scottish Championship
Scottish League One
Scottish League Two
Pre-Season Friendlies
Belgian Pro League
Swiss Super League
Russian Premier League
Ukrainian Premier League
Swedish Allsvenskan
Finnish Veikkausliiga
League of Ireland Premier
Ligue 2
Eerste Divisie
Brasileiro
Copa Diego Maradona
Uruguayan Primera Division
Liga MX
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Hearts22004226
2RangersRangers21013123
3Aberdeen11002023
4Hibernian11003213
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd210112-13
6Dundee10102201
7Ross County10100001
8St Johnstone10100001
9St Mirren201134-11
10Motherwell100123-10
11Celtic100112-10
12Livingston100103-30

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!