9.45pm

We lost 2-0 at Ibrox tonight.  The home side opened the scoring courtesy of a Barry Ferguson free-kick after 18 mins, and Lovenkrands sealed the victory when he added a second shortly after half-time.  Oh well, at least we weren't disgraced, and in fact it sounds as though we did quite well in the first half, with Lehmann having a couple of decent efforts on goal.  But not surprisingly, Rangers dominated for long periods and could probably have won the match rather more comfortably.

I don't think any of us were expecting anything other than a defeat tonight.  All we can do is put the match behind us and look forward to the much more important Scottish Cup Quarter Final at Stranraer on Saturday.

Team: Dubourdeau, Corrigan, Vaughan, Partridge, Hammell, Ramsay (Cowan 28), Adams, Lasley, Lehmann (Craig 75), Clarkson (Offiong 64), McFadden 
Subs: Woods, Fagan.

Yellow Cards: Vaughan, Lasley, Cowan, Craig.

James McFadden, Stevie Hammell and Stephen Pearson have all been named in the Scotland Under-21 squad for the games against Iceland and Lithuania at the end of the month.

11.50am

Terry Butcher is looking for a huge improvement from his side in their next two games, following the disasterous performance against Aberdeen a couple of weeks ago. Speaking in today's local press, the 'Well boss also warned his players to guard against complacency when they come up against Second Division side Stranraer in the Scottish Cup on Saturday:
"We didn’t do ourselves justice against Aberdeen in our last game and I think anyone who watched us for the first time would have got the wrong impression of what we are about. It’s important we bounce back quickly and still being involved in the Scottish Cup gives us a great diversion from SPL football. However, it’s going to be difficult as they’ll be the underdogs so we fully expect them to come at us right from the first whistle. The offer of a place in the semi-finals is a great incentive for both teams, although we’ll be under more pressure than Stranraer because we go into the game as favourites to go through. Our players will have to roll their sleeves up and work hard if we are to get anything from the game, but if we do then I’m confident we can cause them some real problems.

"Considering what the club has been through over the last year then I think it’s credit to the high standards we’ve set ourselves that we are on the verge of a possible place in the semi-finals,” said Terry. The money that a semi-final place would bring would be a boost, but I don’t feel under any more pressure than I usually do going into a game. As a manager you are under pressure all the time, although especially more with a game we are expected to win."

Scott Leitch has returned to training and could be available for the trip to Stair Park, although tonight's match at Ibrox has come too quickly for him. Stephen Pearson will also miss the Rangers game after landing a four-game ban following his sending off against Aberdeen, but will be eligible for the Stranraer game. Meanwhile, Derek Adams will return to the side tonight following his two-game suspension, and TB is delighted to have his vice-captain available again:
"Derek has been a big miss for us in the midfield over the last two games as he was playing really well before his suspension. After losing Scott (Leitch) to injury Derek has stepped in as captain and has been excellent in the holding midfield role, so it’s good to have him coming back at this time."

Butcher watched Sunday's Old Firm CIS Cup Final, and admitted he was more than impressed with the side he will face tonight:
"At half-time on Sunday I was seriously thinking about turning up to Ibrox on Thursday, especially after the way Rangers played in the first-half! However, we’ve already beaten them at Fir Park this season, so there’s no reason why we can’t produce a similar performance. A big word going into games like this is belief and the players must go out on Wednesday believing they can get a result. After our poor showing against Aberdeen it’s important we produce a positive performance, especially before going to Stranraer and I’m sure the players will give it all they can to get a result."

The Under-21s lost 2-0 at Firhill on Monday night.  Khaled Khemas pulled a thigh muscle in the game and could now be out for 4 weeks.

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