11.03.2014 02:35 h

Football: Rangers look for title solace after Cup draw

James Forrest im Duell mit KIrk Broadfoot und Steven Davis
James Forrest im Duell mit KIrk Broadfoot und Steven Davis

Winger Fraser Aird hopes fallen giants Rangers can bury the memory of their shock Scottish Cup quarter-final draw with Albion Rovers by clinching the Scottish League One title against Airdrieonians on Wednesday.

Ally McCoist's side -- who are looking at their second successive promotion since being demoted from the Premiership to the Third Division for going into administration and eventually liquidation -- needed a controversial late equaliser to claim a 1-1 draw as the League Two minnows came close to causing a Scottish Cup shock at Ibrox.

The part-timers had stunned the 54-time Scottish champions as Ciaran Donnelly fired them into a 13th minute lead against the Glasgow giants, who are unbeaten in all competitions since August 3 last year.

Rangers piled on the pressure in the second half but were left frustrated by the resolute defending of a side that sit seventh in Scotland's bottom tier until the 78th minute when Bilel Mohsni knocked David Templeton's deep cross past Neil Parry to end their hopes of a giant-killing.

The teams will replay at New Douglas Park for the chance to take on Dundee United in the semi-final, but Aird reckons he can help his side get over the disappointment against Airdrie at Ibrox on Wednesday night.

Rangers can wrap up the title with eight games remaining if they defeat Gary Bollan's side, who sit eighth in the table, and Aird is keen to use the game to erase the memory of their cup disappointment.

"It is a massive game against Airdrie on Wednesday night so we can't dwell on the game against Albion Rovers," Aird said.

"It was a disappointing result, but, at the end of the day, we are still involved in the cup and we have another massive game to play away from home.

"Our focus now is on the game against Airdrie. Hopefully we can win the league.

"We know we will have to do better against Airdrie than we did against Albion Rovers. But the boys are more than capable of doing that.

"We have scored in every game this season and if we keep doing that I think we will be all right and will win our games.

"It would be nice to put on a good performance for the fans against Airdrie and give them something to shout about and win the league on a high note."

Fixtures (kick-off 1945GMT)