Tag Archives: clearance

Alfred N"Diaye joins Sunderland

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Sunderland complete first signing of window as N'Diaye joins for 3m from Bursaspor

By
Adam Shergold

PUBLISHED:

15:29 GMT, 9 January 2013

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UPDATED:

15:37 GMT, 9 January 2013

Sunderland have completed the signing of midfielder Alfred N'Diaye from Turkish side Bursaspor for 3m.

As revealed by Sportmail earlier this week, the 22-year-old has today signed a three-and-a-half year deal at the Stadium of Light after completing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

He is Martin O'Neill's first signing of the January transfer window.

New face: Alfred N'Diaye has joined Sunderland for 3m from Turkish side Bursaspor

New face: Alfred N'Diaye has joined Sunderland for 3m from Turkish side Bursaspor

N'Diaye started his career with Nancy
four years ago and moved to Turkey at the start of last season after
more than 60 appearances in the French top division.

O’Neill,
who is desperate for midfield cover for injured captain Lee Cattermole,
launched a bid for the ball-winning midfielder at the opening of the
transfer window.

Powerhouse: N'Diaye (left) passed a medical on Wearside today and could make his debut against West Ham this weekend

Powerhouse: N'Diaye (left) passed a medical on Wearside today and could make his debut against West Ham this weekend

He told his club's website: 'Alfred is a strong, powerful young player and as such can offer us more strength in depth.

'He will give us options and I'm delighted that we have been able to bring him to the club.'

N'Diaye could go straight into the squad for Saturday's home game with West Ham if he receives international clearance in time.

Steven Naismith won"t back down in Rangers row

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Standing firm: Naismith won't back down in Rangers row as striker battles former club

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UPDATED:

23:15 GMT, 12 December 2012

Steven Naismith has maintained he will not back down from his legal dispute with Rangers and instead insisted he owes the Ibrox club nothing.

The Everton star is one of a posse of former players defending themselves against legal action brought by Ibrox chief executive Charles Green after they quit the club on free transfers in the summer.

Green wants the new clubs of Naismith, Steven Whittaker, Jamie Ness, Sone Aluko and Kyle Lafferty to pay compensation for signing players who walked out after objecting to their contracts being switched from the Rangers oldco to the newco.

Won't back down: Steven Naismith is involved in a dispute with Rangers

Won't back down: Steven Naismith is involved in a dispute with Rangers

The Ibrox club will learn in January if they have the right to pursue compensation via the SFA. If that is unsuccessful, Green has threatened to pursue the cash via the courts.

Unable to have their international clearance certificates transferred to their new clubs in the meantime, Aluko, Lafferty and Ness are counter-suing the Ibrox club for ‘constructive dismissal’.

Naismith says he wants no part in suing Rangers but is determined to defend himself from legal threats.

And, despite accepting a 75-per-cent wage cut when the club entered administration, he insists he is not after a penny.

‘I think 90 per cent of people that talk about this don’t know half of what happened,’ said Naismith in Glasgow.

New start: Naismith left Rangers to join Everton in the summer

New start: Naismith left Rangers to join Everton in the summer

‘I took legal advice and made the decisions I made.

‘I’m not looking to go after the club for money for 90 days’ pay or anything like that — it’s not something I’ve thought about or been interested in.
‘There’s so much going on, so many different cases.

‘People think it’s one big thing and everyone’s name gets thrown in the pot.

‘People want to say things as they think they know everything. But the people closest to me know what happened — and what’s gone on, on my part anyway.

‘You’re never going to make everyone happy.’

No brainer: Naismith left Ibrox after Rangers were relegated

No brainer: Naismith left Ibrox after Rangers were relegated

Taking advice from lawyers, Naismith admitted the prospect of counter-suing Rangers was raised.

Already unable to walk through the door at Ibrox amid the bitterness, he opted instead to concentrate on his new career at Everton.

And, frustrated that fans rarely mention the financial sacrifices players made when they took substantial wage cuts to keep others in their jobs, Naismith insists he never intended to leave Rangers and would still have been there but for financial meltdown in February.

‘In a couple of years, people will look back and say they did that (wage cuts) for the good of the club,’ he said. ‘People might think there were other agendas or we were only doing it for certain reasons, but the players know what we were trying to do at the outset. That was to try to stop the club from getting liquidated.’

Enoch Balotelli signs for Salford City

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Balotelli signs for Salford City! … (Enoch that is, Mario's younger brother)

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UPDATED:

19:10 GMT, 16 November 2012

Enoch Balotelli, the younger brother of Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, has joined non-league Salford City on a free transfer.

The 20-year-old signed for the Northern Premier League First Division side after failing to impress during trials at Sunderland and Stoke City last season.

The striker said: ‘I am more than happy to join Salford. I just want to play football. I trained with them last night, I enjoyed it, so I signed.’

Oh, brother: Enoch (left) has signed up for Salford City

Oh, brother: Enoch (left) has signed up for Salford City

Superstar: Mario

Superstar: Mario

Salford confirmed the move on Friday on the club’s official website, with the deal hinging on international clearance.

A statement read: ‘Salford City FC are pleased to announce the signing of Enoch Barwuah, younger brother of Manchester City star Mario Balotelli. The signing is subject to Enoch gaining international clearance, which should hopefully come through in the next couple of weeks.’

Salford chairman Darren Quick told BBC North West Sport: 'He’s been training with us and he’s signed for us, subject to international clearance.

'It’s great for Salford. We hope he can play a few games for us and he can use it as a stepping stone to find a level more suited to him.

'I’ve not met him but I’m told he’s a really nice lad and a really good footballer.

'We play a decent standard of football but some lads don’t want to drop to that level.

'These things can work for both parties. We might get a few more through the gate, and maybe his brother might even come and watch us.'

Luis Boa Morte signs for Chesterfield

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League Two Chesterfield snap-up former Portugal star Boa Morte

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UPDATED:

18:36 GMT, 10 October 2012

Former Fulham, Arsenal and West Ham winger Luis Boa Morte has signed for Chesterfield.

The 35-year-old, who played 28 times for Portugal, has agreed to join the Spireites initially until January and, as long as international clearance is received in time, he may make his debut against Dagenham & Redbridge at the Proact Stadium this Saturday.

Boa Morte opened talks with Chesterfield following a chance meeting in London with former Fulham team-mate Mark Crossley, who is assistant to the Derbyshire club's caretaker-manager Tommy Wright.

Star name: Luis Boa Morte played for Fulham for four and a half years

Star name: Luis Boa Morte played for Fulham for four and a half years

He said: 'He asked me if I'd fancy coming up to Chesterfield and it went from there.
'The most important thing for me now is to play football and get going again. I'll be here until the end of January but that doesn't mean that I won't stay until the end of the season.'

Wright added: 'To have a player of Luis' quality coming to Chesterfield is a fantastic coup for us. It's great that a player of his ability wants to play football.

Starting out: Boa Morte got his first taste of English football with Arsenal

Starting out: Boa Morte got his first taste of English football with Arsenal

'The financial aspect of the deal was no worry – he just wanted to come and play.'

Boa Morte has made more than 300 appearances in English football over a 15-year period having arrived at Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon in June 1997 as one of Arsene Wenger's first signings.

Last time out: Boa Morte last English club was West Ham

Last time out: Boa Morte last English club was West Ham

He won the double with the Gunners in 1998 and after a brief spell with Southampton moved to Fulham before spending four-and-a-half years at West Ham before leaving by mutual consent in August 2011.

Boa Morte has been training recently with Fulham following brief spells with South African club Orlando Pirates and MLS outfit Toronto FC.

Miah Richards returns to offer England boss Roy Hodgson timely reminder

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England's forgotten defender Richards issues timely reminder to Hodgson on City return

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UPDATED:

21:39 GMT, 7 October 2012

The bright banana boots would have been viewed with disdain by Martin O’Neill but Micah Richards hardly needed the latest must-have accessory to stand out from the crowd at the Etihad.

Staunch traditionalist O’Neill would ban the multi-coloured footwear prevalent among Barclays Premier League players if he could, and must have winced at the variety of shades on show.

None glowed in the failing autumn light more than Richards’, but there was another reason why most eyes were drawn towards him in Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Sunderland.

Timely reminder: Forgotten England defender Micah Richards was impressive on his return for Manchester City

Timely reminder: Forgotten England defender Micah Richards was impressive on his return for Manchester City

Back from injury and paired with Joleon Lescott, in the absence of injured skipper Vincent Kompany, there was an authority about the 24-year-old’s defensive work and an often spectacular goal threat when he ventured forward.

A flying save by Simon Mignolet and a goal-line clearance from Danny Rose kept him off the score sheet, but nothing should keep him off England’s team sheet, according to City full back Pablo Zabaleta.

Others have been mentioned, even selected, since John Terry announced his international retirement. But, perhaps partly due to an injury-disrupted start to the season, Richards’ claims have been overlooked.

Zabaleta is adamant this must change. ‘Micah is a fantastic player who deserves to be in the national team,’ said the Argentina defender. ‘He is young and strong and there is no doubt he can give to England what he gives to Manchester City.

Head boy: Richards was solid at the heart of City's defence against Sunderland

Head boy: Richards was solid at the heart of City's defence against Sunderland

‘He can play at centre back or right back, but when you look at the fantastic game he had today, you can see what he has to offer in the centre. Terry is not in the England team anymore, so maybe that is a chance for Micah to get a place in the side.’

After injuring an ankle on Olympic duty with Team GB and fearing the Sunderland game had come ‘just too soon’, Richards was pleasantly surprised to be given the nod by Roberto Mancini hours before kick-off.

‘The boss asked me if I was OK to play because Vinny was injured and, of course, I said I was,’ said Richards. ‘I was excited to be back after so long out and it was a bonus helping us keep a first clean sheet of the season.’

Another fit-again England hopeful, Gareth Barry, endorsed Richards’ credentials and had a message of his own for national coach Roy Hodgson.

‘Micah was unbelievable,’ said Barry. ‘He hadn’t played for weeks and was pencilled in for a run-out with the Under 21s during the week. Then injuries meant he became an option and it was like he had never been away. He was fantastic.

‘If I can get a run of games going, I hope I may be in the next England squad. My injury came at the wrong time, with a new manager coming in, and it can be tough to force your way back in.

‘But I am not ready to retire and will keep working hard to get my place back.’

HOW ROY'S ENGLAND CENTRE BACKS RATED

PHIL JAGIELKA (Everton)
Had a difficult first half alongside Johnny Heitinga, but once Sylvain Distin replaced the Dutchman at half-time — reducing the threat of Arouna Kone and allowing Leighton Baines to push forward — Jagielka (pictured, below) was more composed. He also showed pace and determination to close down Kone when he looked certain to score towards the end.

Everton's Phil Jagielka in action at Wigan

JOLEON LESCOTT (Manchester City)
Hardly extended by a misfiring Sunderland, but sure-footed and used the ball well. As defensive partner Micah Richards said: ‘A lot of people don’t realise how good Joleon is. He’s top class and has shown it repeatedly.’

GARY CAHILL (Chelsea)
Another 90 minutes on the bench for the Chelsea centre half — so another week of perfect preparation for international duty, then.

AND WHAT ABOUT MICAH
Had feared the Sunderland game may be too soon after only recently recovering from the ankle injury picked up on Olympic duty for Team GB but produced an assured display.

Swansea 2 Reading 2: Swans come back to claim point

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Swansea 2 Reading 2: Swans storm back to deny Royals a precious victory

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UPDATED:

16:32 GMT, 6 October 2012

Reading are still without a Premier League win this season after throwing away a two-goal lead at Swansea.

The Royals went 1-0 up against the run of play in the 31st minute when goalkeeper Michel Vorm allowed Pavel Pogrebnyak's shot to slip beneath him and in.

Heading for a comeback: Michu scores Swansea's first goal

Heading for a comeback: Michu scores Swansea's first goal

MATCH FACTS

Swansea: Vorm,
Rangel, Chico, Williams, Davies, Dyer (Pablo 62), Britton, Michu (De Guzman 86), Ki, Routledge,
Graham (Moore 46).
Subs not used: Tremmel, Tate, Tiendalli, Shechter.

Booked: Michu.

Goals: Michu 71, Routledge 78.

Reading:
McCarthy, Shorey, Mariappa, Gorkss, Cummings, McAnuff, Karacan, Tabb (Robson-Kanu 89),
Kebe, Pogrebnyak (Le Fondre 80), Hunt (Roberts 73).
Subs not used: Stuart Taylor, Pearce,
McCleary, Guthrie.

Booked: Mariappa, Tabb, Hunt.

Goals: Pogrebnyak 31, Hunt 44.

Referee: Mike Dean.

Attendance: 20,336.

Click here for the latest Premier League results, fixtures and table

They then doubled their advantage a
minute before the break as Noel Hunt beat Vorm with a tidy volley, but
Swansea continued to dominate play in the second half and after Michu
converted a 71st-minute header, Wayne Routledge's fierce strike drew the
contest level in the 78th minute.

Overall, Reading were lucky to come
away with a point in the end, with the hosts being thwarted by a
succession of excellent saves from Royals stopper Alex McCarthy – who
twice sent efforts onto the post – and also having a strong-looking
penalty claim for handball dismissed towards the end.

It did take a goal-line clearance at
the death from Swansea captain Ashley Williams to keep out Jem Karacan's
header, though, and Reading will feel a fair degree of disappointment
at missing this opportunity to end a winless top-flight streak which now
extends to six games.

The Swans, meanwhile, have stopped their rot, having lost their previous three Premier League games going into the match.

The Welsh outfit had made a bright
start, creating several decent chances in the opening 20 minutes.
Williams – named this week as the new Wales skipper – nodded off target
three times while Danny Graham saw a header turned over the bar by
McCarthy, who also batted away a shot from Routledge.

Pure delight: Reading players celebrate Noel Hunt's goal

Pure delight: Reading players celebrate Noel Hunt's goal

Eye for goal: Hunt fires home to put Reading 2-0 ahead

Eye for goal: Hunt fires home to put Reading 2-0 ahead

Routledge then played a one-two with
Nathan Dyer and struck an effort that was blocked by Adrian Mariappa,
with replays suggesting a suspicion of handball. Reading had shown
little going forward, but just after the half-hour mark they snatched
the lead as Pogrebnyak latched on to a through-ball from Jobi McAnuff
and hit an effort at Vorm.

It should have been a routine save for the
Dutchman but instead, it somehow sneaked beyond him and into the net.

My ball: Jimmy Kebe battles with Swansea's Wayne Routledge at the Liberty Stadium

My ball: Jimmy Kebe battles with Swansea's Wayne Routledge at the Liberty Stadium

Swansea looked to make a swift
response and Ki Sung-yueng drilled into the arms of McCarthy from
distance, but in the 44th minute Reading struck again. A McAnuff shot
looped up off Angel Rangel and Hunt was on hand to lash the ball past
Vorm.

Swans boss Michael Laudrup reacted by
substituting Graham at the interval for Luke Moore, who was straight
into the thick of the action. First, he found himself through one-on-one
with McCarthy but was denied by the goalkeeper's foot. Moore then sent a
header goalwards which McCarthy did superbly to push against the post.

Sent tumbling: Swansea's Michu is tackled by Jay Tabb

Sent tumbling: Swansea's Michu is tackled by Jay Tabb

Blocking his path: Angel Rangel shields the ball from Reading's Nicky Shorey

Blocking his path: Angel Rangel shields the ball from Reading's Nicky Shorey

McCarthy repeated the trick soon
after by pushing Ki's deflected low shot onto his other upright, and
then got down well to save a Williams header.

He was finally beaten with 19 minutes
to go as Michu powered in a diving header from a deflected Routledge
cross. McCarthy pulled off yet another great stop to keep Moore out, but
Swansea were not to be denied and after Ki robbed Reading of
possession, a forward break was rounded off by Routledge's firm finish.

The hosts cried out for a penalty
when Nicky Shorey appeared to block Pablo Hernandez's shot with his arm
in the box, but play went on and the late drama continued as Williams
jumped on the line to nod away Karacan's header after another
uncharacteristic Vorm error.

Heads up: Ashley Williams battles with Reading's Adrian Mariappa

Heads up: Ashley Williams battles with Reading's Adrian Mariappa

Tough tackling: Chico Flores battles with Reading's Pavel Pogrebnyak

Tough tackling: Chico Flores battles with Reading's Pavel Pogrebnyak

Watford sign five on loan from Udinese

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Watford add five loanees from Udinese to bring total to FOURTEEN

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UPDATED:

22:26 GMT, 31 August 2012

Watford manager Gianfranco Zola has moved to sign five players on loan from Udinese on deadline day with an option to sign them on a permanent basis.

Defenders Jean-Alain Fanchone, Neuton Piccoli and Lars Ekstrand as well as midfielder Cristian Battocchio and striker Fernando Forestieri have joined the npower Championship club.

The transfers are subject to international clearance and bring the total number of loanees at the club to a staggering 14.

Busy man: Gianfranco Zola has signed a host of players on loan from Italy

Busy man: Gianfranco Zola has signed a host of players on loan from Italy

Southampton sign Emmanuel Mayuka

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Saints snare Young Boy Mayuka as striker pens five-year deal at St Mary's

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UPDATED:

23:30 GMT, 28 August 2012

Southampton have bolstered their strikeforce with the signing of Zambia forward Emmanuel Mayuka from Young Boys Berne.

The 21-year-old has signed a five-year deal at St Mary's after passing a medical with the newly-promoted Barclays Premier League side on Tuesday.

Mayuka has already been granted a work permit and Saints are now awaiting entry clearance for the deal to be fully ratified, which is expected to happen before the end of this week.

Move: Emmanuel Mayuka has joined Premier League side Southampton

Move: Emmanuel Mayuka has joined Premier League side Southampton

Mayuka joined Maccabi Tel Aviv from his first club Kabwe Warriors four years ago before signing for Young Boys in 2010.

The hitman scored 32 times in two seasons at the Swiss club and has also impressed at international level, becoming the joint top-scorer in Zambia's successful 2012 African Nations Cup campaign.

Saints manager Nigel Adkins is looking forward to working with the pacy 5ft 9in attacker, who is the club's fifth signing of the summer.

'Emmanuel is a lightning-quick striker who I am sure will excite the fans,' Adkins told Southampton's website.

'He is only 21 years old but already has a great deal of experience, notably so at international level.

'He will bring something different to the group that we already have here at Southampton, and I look forward to seeing him pull on our shirt for the first time.'

Next: Gaston Ramirez (left) is also expected to join Southampton

Next: Gaston Ramirez (left) is also expected to join Southampton

Adkins, whose side beat Stevenage 4-1 in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday, is expected to add Gaston Ramirez to his squad before the transfer window shuts on Friday.

The Bologna forward has been strongly linked with an 11million transfer to the south-coast club, although Adkins was reluctant to speak about the player until all the formalities of the deal are completed.

He said: 'Until the pieces of paper are signed you can never say it's done but the chairman is working exceptionally hard behind scenes, backing us in what we do. We are very ambitious and there is serious cash to be outlaid if it's going to happen.'

Southampton lost their opening two games in the Barclays Premier League to Manchester City and Wigan.

They host Manchester United this weekend and then travel to Arsenal.

Maurice Edu agrees personal terms with Stoke

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Edu set for Stoke switch after Rangers midfielder agrees personal terms

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UPDATED:

10:03 GMT, 25 August 2012

Stoke have confirmed they have agreed personal terms with Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu.

The 26-year-old United States international will now undergo a medical before completing the transfer for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance.

If the deal goes through, Edu will link up with American compatriot Geoff Cameron, who recently arrived at the Britannia Stadium from Houston Dynamo.

Moving on: Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu is heading to Stoke

Moving on: Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu is heading to Stoke

Falkirk 0 Rangers 1

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Falkirk 0 Rangers 1: In-form Little grabs only goal to send McCoist's men through

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UPDATED:

21:07 GMT, 21 August 2012

Andy Little claimed his sixth goal of the season as Rangers progressed past holders Falkirk into the third round of the Ramsdens Cup.

The striker's impressive streak in front of goal continued as he grabbed the only goal of the game after netting his first hat-trick at the weekend.

The win allowed Rangers to take their revenge on the Bairns, who dumped Ally McCoist's men out of the Scottish Communities League Cup last season – with the two sides set to meet again in that competition at Ibrox next week.

Winner: Andrew Little (left) fires the ball home to open the scoring

Winner: Andrew Little (left) fires the ball home to open the scoring

MATCH FACTS

Falkirk: McGovern, Duffie, Flynn, Smith, Kingsley, Alston, Murdoch,
Jay Fulton, Weatherston (Haworth 75), Sibbald (White 83), Taylor.

Subs Not Used: Bowman, Dick, Dale Fulton.

Booked: Sibbald,Haworth.

Rangers: Alexander, Broadfoot, Emilson Cribari, Bocanegra,
Hegarty (Crawford 84), McKay (Naismith 70), McCulloch, Black,
Macleod, Little, Sandaza (Kyle 70).

Subs Not Used: Gallacher, Wiktorski.

Goals: Little 45.

Att: 6,747

Ref: Calum Murray (Scotland).

Rangers made three changes from the team which fought from behind to secure an emphatic 5-1 win over East Stirling in the Irn-Bru Third Division at the weekend.

Lee Wallace and Dean Shiels both missed out with dead legs, while Dorin Goian was also absent from the team after agreeing a one-year loan deal with Serie B outfit Spezia Calcio.

Brazilian Emilson Cribari and youngster Chris Hegarty both earned their first starts and Barrie McKay was also drafted into the starting line-up.

Rangers confirmed the signing of French defender Sebastien Faure earlier on Tuesday, subject to international clearance, meaning he was unavailable for the cup tie.

Little almost opened the scoring early on when he raced onto a Kirk Broadfoot ball only to see his close-range shot blocked by goalkeeper Michael McGovern.

The away fans then claimed for handball against Chris Smith, as Little again tried to force his way through on goal, but there was no penalty award from referee Calum Murray.

Falkirk had a decent chance of their own when David Weatherston squared across the face of goal for the onrushing Lyle Taylor but he just failed to connect at full stretch in front of goal.

Hero: Little wheels away to celebrate after opening the scoring for Rangers

Hero: Little wheels away to celebrate after opening the scoring for Rangers

There was another penalty shout – this time for the home side – when Taylor went to ground in the box under pressure from Hegarty but, again, Murray was unimpressed by the pleas.

At the other end, Rangers were threatening when Ian Black curled a free-kick into the box and Francisco Sandaza rose above everyone else in the packed goalmouth only to nod wide.

The breakthrough came on the stroke of half-time when Little collected from Sandaza before driving low past McGovern from a tight angle and into the bottom corner.

Battle: Francisco Sandaza (left) challenges for the ball with Chris Smith

Battle: Francisco Sandaza (left) challenges for the ball with Chris Smith

Falkirk set about trying to haul themselves back into the tie after the break and Stephen Kingsley picked out Kieran Duffie at the back post but he fired straight into the hands of Neil Alexander.

There was a brief stop in play when assistant referee John Gilmour appeared to suffer a knock but he was able to continue and the match action resumed.

The first booking of the match came with just over 20 minutes to go when Craig Sibbald was cautioned for a challenge on Black.

Watching brief: Rangers boss Ally McCoist led his side to another win

Watching brief: Rangers boss Ally McCoist led his side to another win

Rangers then made a double switch when Kevin Kyle and Kal Naismith were thrown into the action for McKay and Sandaza.

The visitors tried to end any hopes of a late Falkirk fightback and a shot from Lewis McLeod was hooked off the line by Blair Alston, after another penalty claim by Broadfoot.

Rangers held on to claim a narrow victory and ensure their name will be in the draw for the next round.