Relichtie
Quarter finals No. 5
March
6 1993
Arbroath 0-3 Rangers
The reward for their 4th round cup win at Methil was a quarter final at home to Rangers. Despite the possibility of a bigger "pay day" to take the match to Dens, Tannadice etc. and attract a larger crowd, the committee to their credit decided to reward their faithful fans, and stage the match in Arbroath. On the eve of the match, Friday Sportscene, Hazel Irvine and all, presented the show from the boardroom at Gayfield. To play Rangers at any time was a daunting task, but with Paul Tosh having been sent off in the previous match with East Fife, and having to miss the match an uphill struggle became that much harder.
Arbroath started the match, and to their credit decided to attack Rangers, but Tindal's chip shot failed to trouble Maxwell. The gulf between the east coast part timers, and the big spending Glasgow side was evident shortly after as Rangers began to turn the screw. After a series of fruitless attacks, Huistra flighted a cross to the waiting Hateley and he headed towards the net, but Charlie Adam headed it out for a corner. The opener wasn't long delayed though. John Brown released Robertson, and the full back got to the bye line and crossed for Hateley to bullet a header into the net. Arbroath bravely tried to hit back, but it was Rangers who were looking more dangerous. Robertson again fed Hateley, but Harkness bravely saved at the strikers feet. McCoist had the ball in the net in 29 mins., but he was pulled up for offside. Two minutes later though MacPherson played the ball wide to Huistra, who put Neil Murray through, ( whatever happened to him ? ), and the midfielder smashed a 25 yard shot into the top corner. Further chances fell to the visitors, but Arbroath managed to hold on.
The first action of the second half saw Arbroath force a corner to a huge cheer from the Bearded Army, ( where are they now ? ), but it came to nothing. Hateley then had a shot well saved by Harkness. The home side finally forced Maxwell to make a save when Farnan shot from 20 yards after good work by Sorbie and Tindal. Rangers got their third goal from the penalty spot, when Hateley turned inside Adam, and the defender brought him down. McCoist duly obliged. The Glasgow side were cruising, and despite the best efforts of the lichties, they found it impossible to make any headway. Rangers probably could have had more goals, but careless finishing, and some excellent saves from Harkness kept the tally at three. Arbroath had the last attempt, but Hamilton's flighted effort was easily mopped up.
Arbroath - Harkness, Tindal, Martin, Mitchell, Boyd, Farnan, Hamilton, Florence, MacDonald, Adam, Sorbie. subs Will and Buckley.
Rangers - Maxwell, Nisbet, Robertson, Murray, MacPherson, Brown, Mikhailitchenko, McCall, McCoist, Hateley, Huistra. subs Durrant and McSwegan.
Referee K.W. Clark, Paisley.
Attendance 6000.
Rangers went on to win the cup, which also completed the treble for the Ibrox side. It was an experience for the Arbroath players, but it was a pity we couldn't have gotten a goal.