(Strachan - 57)
In the corresponding fixture last year Rangers won 8-0 against a far more experienced Thistle side. By contrast, Thistle were in control for large portions of this game (and by far the better side in the second half) and could have easily won 4-0.
It was Rangers who edged the first half - in the 6th minute Wilson was dispossessed on the half-way line by Hamouchi whose cross from the right met the on-rushing Johnston who side-footed past the post. In the 33rd Hamouchi was the shooter latching onto a fine through ball from McCormack.
Thistle took command early in the 2nd half and their pressure was rewarded in the 57th minute when an Andy Gibson cross into the box gave Adam Strachan the chance to shoot - Rangers impressive young goalie Lee Robinson saved but the rebound was intelligently slotted home by Strachan.
Two minutes later Robinson made a point blank save of another Strachan shot and followed it up less than a minute later with a magnificent save of a powerful free header from ex-Celtic man Stephane Bonnes.
Several more excellent saves from Robinson and a clearance from the line by Brian Gilmour saved Rangers more blushes in a second half where they threatened rarely and only on the counter-attack.
THISTLE
Kenny Arthur
David Wilson
Eddie Forest
David Wilson (Joe Boyle 21)
Andy Ross
Paul Cassidy
Andy Gibson
Willie Howie
Stephane Bonnes
Adam Strachan
Tommy English
UNUSED SUBS:-
Steen Pinkowski
Ian Cameron
William Ferguson
Matthew Shields
RANGERS
Lee Robinson
Graeme Watson
Andrew Dick ( Charlie Adam 45 - Adam replaced by Darryl Boyd 88)
Fraser Coyle
Gary McKenzie
Alex Walker
Hamed Namouchi
Brian Gilmour
Ross McCormack
John Johnston (Robert Davidson 45)
Bajram Fetai
UNUSED SUBS:-
Callum Reidford
Gary Fraser