Troubled season is now looking up for Rangers

GLEBE Rangers’ troubled season is looking up after moving off the foot of the table.

Glebe slumped to last place in the league last week but quickly dragged themselves off the floor with a spirited showing against Dergview at the weekend.

Rangers sealed a 2-2 draw at home against Dergview and that all-important point to get them off 14th place in the Belfast Telegraph Championship One.

But manager Gary Scott maintains he was never worried about their perilous position in the relegation zone and was always sure of a recovery.

And after the game he was only reflecting on two dropped points and not Glebe’s league standing.

“The entire season was encapsulated in that 90 minutes – we did everything to win the game and just need to learn to get over the finish line.

“Dergview were a decent side, and were a good gauge of where we are as a side.”

On Saturday Glebe went down at the Riada Stadium inside the first 15 minutes through a free-kick from Dergview’s Ryan Campbell.

Rangers quickly hit back with a thrilling move involving Adam McKirk, Lee Forgrave, Tommy Elder, Ian Parkhill and finished off with a cool finish from Nigel Turner.

Glebe maintained their positive momentum after the strike on 25 minutes to end a close first half.

After the interval Rangers dominated the game and created several chances.

Unfortunately they went down against the run of play with a nippy Dergview attack and an unlucky slip at the back on 65 minutes.

Glebe kept up their strong attacking play and unjustly had a penalty for handball turned down by the officials.

However Rangers did manage to get a penalty when Ian Parkhill was crunched by a strong challenge in the box.

Tommy Elder stepped up to take the spot kick but it was expertly saved by the Dergview goalie.

Elder soon got over his miss by getting on the end of a well-worked attack and drilling a fine finish into the net.

Rangers continued to create more opportunities but couldn’t muster that crucial third goal to clinch the three points.

Reflecting on the first penalty claim, Scott said: “Some you get, some you don’t, they are supposed to even themselves out over the season.”

But on the game he bemoaned the lack of clinical finishing in front of goal.

Scott said: “We’re just not converting chances, but we are determined to find a way to get good results.

“No matter how good we are or have been, it just matters how good we want to be and it is an honour and privilege to manage this great group of players.”

The draw will give Glebe a much-needed confidence boost for Saturday’s match away to fellow relegation strugglers Banbridge Town.

Banbridge now lie at the bottom of the table and the game is sure to be of huge significance for both teams’ chances of survival.

Last season Glebe Rangers maintained their league status by securing a precious result against Banbridge and Scott is expecting another fierce encounter.

He added: “It will be a tough game and it’s a tough venue.”