Like so many other things in life, the anticipation proved to be far more rewarding than the experience itself. The gulf between the second best team in the land and the best team in Fife was just too great for our heroes to overcome. However, cheered on by nearly three and a half thousand dafties, resplendent in black and gold, the boys went about their business in a thoroughly professional manner. Effort, team spirit, hard work, commitment, none could be questioned. And that, for me, said more about the team than anything else.

It was apparent early on that we'd find it difficult to penetrate th Gers' defence - Walter Smith had made wholesale changes to the team but Carlos Cuellar and Ugo Ehiogu still presented a formidable obstacle for the Fife going forward. As it was, the best chance of the night fell to Ryan Blackadder just seconds after the Cheese Man had opened the scoring for Rangers (a screamer from about twenty yards; thought McCulloch might have made more of an effort..... hmmm); from the edge of the box, his shot looked to be on target but we were dismayed to see the ball crack off the crossbar.

It was to be one of the night's ironies - despite coming close to becoming a national hero, his effort missed. Sadly for 'Yellow Boots', after that he was exposed by the Gers for what he is... not very good. While the boys knocked their pans in for ninety minutes, Ryan looked positively knackered before the game was half an hour old.

But if Ryan's performance wasn't his best, it was cast into inconsequence against the efforts of the ref. Now, don't get me wrong, we were beaten tonight fair and square. Gave it our best shot but Rangers were simply too good for us. But we can take heart from the fact (and I mean, 'fact') that shitey refereeing decisions gifted our visitors two of their goals.

If Novo's opener had been a classic, their second was just 'arthurmontfordesque' in its stramashful qualities. From a corner, Rangers fired over into the heart of the box. Twenty guys squeezed into ten square yards will inevitably lead to some contact but when the ref stands by and watches the light blues trample over the Fifers, you know you're up against it. So rather than award the free kick, he waived 'play on' and eventually (when five of our lads were kicked on their arses), that goal machine, Kris Boyd, finally found space to turn the ball home. Utter bollox, but neither the Bears nor the ref were caring....

They wurnae exactly complaining either when the whistler came to their rescue before the interval. Gers' dynamic duo, Carrol and Ehiogu, took a dislike to Greig McDonald and upended him unceremoniously not ten yards from the ref. Sadly, black and gold don't appear on the list of acceptable colours tae play in if you want a spot-kick against the huns (name one....) so it was a shake of the head, a wave of the arms and.... the next time we heard the whistle it was to signal the end of the first half. I don't suppose we could really argue that we we worth going in just one goal behind, but a stonewaller being turned down still leaves a nasty taste....

Our misfortune, however, didn't get the boys down and they came back out after a customary inspiring half-time talk from the gaffer. We were still completely committed and looked steady at the back. It was a real bummer, then, when Cuellar popped another one away for Rangers ten minutes in.

The big dago (can I say that without appearing completely racist? Naw, didnae think so....) was left unmarked at a corner and had a clear header - they don't come much easier. But then, the fourth was pretty straightforward as well....

With the ref in their pockets, the inevitable Rangers penalty arrived just past the hour mark. So take yer pick - Jonathan Smart timed his tackle perfectly, connected with the ball adroitly and Charlie Adam took a dive. OR - Steven Tweed timed his tackle perfectly, connected with the ball adroitly and Thomas Buffell took a dive. Whatever the ref gave them the penalty for, it certainly wasn't as a result of the nothing but fair tackling by our central defence. But then, there you go....

However, our heroes kept their cool and never stopped working and trying to give Rangers a game. Despite the scoreline, our defence should be proud of their performance. Big Tweedie looked as good as he ever has - a seasoned and experienced campaigner who'll always give his best for the shirt. Beside him, young Smart continues to grow in stature, proving to be one of our prize assets. Now that he's appeared on the bigger stage, don't be too surprised if a few clubs come sniffing around in January. Let's tie him in to a nice new contract now - we could do worse than build a team around this young man!

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