Brave Wasps lose their sting in 4-0 defeat to SPFL Championship leaders Rangers

The Ibrox side put on a fitting tribute before the game to mark Remembrance Day as well as the sacrifices of the Armed Forces in protecting the United Kingdom. And the occasion seemed to provide extra incentive for Mark Warburton’s side who were already looking to bounce back from defeat to title rivals Hibs the previous week. 

Danny Lennon was forced into a change to his starting line-up with on-loan Gers star Robbie Crawford being ineligible for the match, so Kyle McAusland returned to the first eleven. 

The manager also found a place on the bench for 17-year-old youth star Ryan Hoggan. 

Rangers were not hanging about and went on the offensive straight from kick off to push Alloa back. It was a flowing passing move that almost undone the Wasps defence inside five minutes when the rampaging James Tavernier played a neat 1-2 with Andy Halliday, with the return pass sending him racing in on Andy McNeil, but the red-hot full back could only steer the ball wide. 

The 43,242 fans inside the ground did not have long to wait for the opener and it was no surprise that it was the hosts who grabbed it. A deflected clearance came back to McNeil, but he seemed to be spooked by the presence of Gedion Zelalem and instead of picking the ball up, just tried to clear with his weaker left foot. The clearance went straight to Gers hitman Martyn Waghorn, who controlled well on the chest before rifling home an unstoppable volley past the scrambling Wasps’ keeper.

The Ibrox men soon doubled their advantage in spectacular style only two minutes later. Waghorn won his side a free kick 20 yards from goal and the in-form Tavernier took it upon himself to smash a ferocious shot into the top corner beyond McNeil for 2-0. 

The league leaders were rampant at this stage and it was wave after wave of attacks for the Wasps to defend. Jason Holt and Barrie McKay combined well to get away from the attentions of Michael Doyle and Kyle McAusland, to release Lee Wallace inside the box, but Jason Marr did well to block the shot with a last ditch challenge. Nathan Oduwa then began to threaten as he did in the previous encounter at the Indodrill Stadium. He got the better of Burton O’Brien to feed the ball to Waghorn in the penalty area, but once again Marr was there to deny Rangers a third goal. 

On-loan Arsenal kid Zelalem then sent Holt racing into the box again on 22 minutes, but this time it was Colin Hamilton who did well to snuff out the danger. 

The skilful Oduwa then tried to weave his way through the Wasps back line, but his mazy run was halted by a superb last ditch tackle from Hamilton. 

This spell of solid defending seemed to help settle the visitors down and as a result they began to play their way into the match. When they finally broke out on the counter attack on 31 minutes, it was almost to devastating effect. 

Connor McManus dispossessed Halliday in the midfield and sent Eddie Ferns racing towards the Rangers back line. He skipped away from Wallace before feeding Doyle in on goal, but Dominic Ball somehow got back to make a last ditch saving tackle as the Wasps’ star went to pull the trigger.

The hosts responded and should have gone three in front on 39 minutes. Waghorn did well to work his way to the byline on the right and his ball across goal gave McKay a guilt-edged chance with the goal gaping, but he could only steer wide. 

Alloa then carved out their two best chances of the match. First, a miscue by Rob Kiernan gifted possession to Chopra and sent the former Newcastle hitman racing in on Wes Foderingham before lifting a ferocious shot over him, only to see it come crashing back out off the crossbar. 

Alloa star Michael Chopra hits the bar at Ibrox

Moments later, Alloa were in on goal again when Holmes and Chopra combined to send Ferns racing clear into the Gers’ penalty area, but out of nowhere Wallace got back in to make a crucial saving block. 

The Wasps were to pay the ultimate price for the missed chances as the home side made it 3-0 right on the stroke of half time. A poor touch from Chopra gifted possession to McKay who slipped a lovely through pass towards Waghorn and he made no mistake to dink the advancing McNeil to end the game as a contest right before the interval.

The second half started just as the first had ended as the expectant home crowd demanded more goals from their rampant side, but the Wasps showed some good spirit to resist for long spells. 

A tricky run from Oduwa almost created a shooting opportunity for Waghorn, who was now on a hat-trick, but former Ger McAusland was there to deny him with a fine challenge. 

Waghorn had another opportunity for the match ball moments later when Zelalem found him inside the box with his back to goal, but Marr was strong to hold off the Gers hitman and snuff out the chance. 

Next up, it was Halliday’s turn to threaten as he danced his way past two players and into the box, but once again it was Marr who stopped him. 

Alloa earned their first real chance of the second half with the introduction of Michael Duffy in place of Chopra. The on-loan Celtic star latched onto a great long range pass by Hamilton to nick the ball past Kiernan only to be hauled down the big defender. McManus whipped the free kick into the box, but McAusland could only guide his header wide of the mark. 

Rangers should have added a fourth on 73 minutes when Zelalem got to the byline and picked out substitute Dean Shiels, but he was denied twice by a great double save from McNeil. 

Alloa’s afternoon went from bad to worse on 78 minutes when Eddie Ferns was sent off for a deliberate stamp on Jordan Thompson. 

The ten-man Wasps had to reshuffle and gave a league debut to the 17-year-old Hoggan. 

Rangers looked to seize on their advantage and McKay burst free on the left to pick out Waghorn in the middle. He beat the keeper with the finish, but Hamilton was there to clear off the line. 

Rangers finally broke down the last of the visitors’ brave resistance in the final minute of the match when the impressive Tavernier teed up Nicky Clark with a brilliant cross and he looped his header beyond McNeil for 4-0. 

Advertiser sport man of the match: Jason Marr 

Alloa Athletic: McNeil, Doyle, Reintam, Hamilton, Marr, O’Brien (Hoggan 80), McManus, Holmes (Hetherington 88), McAusland, Chopra (Duffy 62), Ferns (Sent off 78). Subs not used: Crawford, Williams, HIll, Paun.