Seb Drozd wrote himself into Scottish Cup historical past by sinking Rangers with a shocking winner at Ibrox the place Gers skipper James Tavernier had a last-gasp penalty saved by Calum Ferrie.
The well-known previous competitors was Philippe Clement’s facet’s final reasonable probability for a home trophy this season because the Gers sit 13 factors behind Premiership leaders Celtic, who beat them within the Premier Sports activities Cup remaining in December. The Mild Blues are by to the final 16 of the Europa League.
Callum Davidson’s Championship facet saved a below-par residence facet at bay within the fifth-round tie earlier than scoring the one aim within the 69th minute by substitute Drozd, the Englishman who signed final October from Millwall.
The house facet have been dramatically awarded a penalty within the fifth minute of added time when William Tizzard fouled Cyriel Dessers however Tavernier noticed his spot-kick saved by Ferrie.
One of many best shocks in Scottish soccer historical past will put Clement again below the highlight and the boos rang spherical Ibrox after a defeat which had been unthinkable earlier than the sport.
Davidson loved cup success with St Johnstone at Ibrox in 2021 on their option to successful the trophy however few would have wager on a second success with the Spiders.
Liam Kelly took over from Jack Butland in aim for Rangers and 22-year-old Portuguese defender Rafael Fernandes, on mortgage from French facet Lille, made his first begin as did 18-year-old midfielder Bailey Rice. Robin Propper and Nedim Bajrami returned.
Adam Devine, on mortgage from Rangers, missed out for the guests, changed by 19-year-old Zach Mauchin. Drozd dropped to the bench in favour of Kyle Hurst, signed on mortgage from Doncaster.
The Mild Blues made all of the early operating however their ending was principally sub-standard.
Ferrie misplaced a clearance to Mohamed Diomande after 4 minutes however the Gers midfielder’s poor try on the unguarded aim from 20 yards missed the goal, as did Ianis Hagi’s long-distance effort minutes later.
Ferrie saved from Diomande, twice, winger Vaclav Cerny and attacker Bajrami and by the half-hour mark the house followers have been starting to expire of endurance.
Simply earlier than the break Diomande managed to knock the ball large of the goal from eight yards following a nook and one more probability was squandered.
Dessers and Nicolas Raskin changed Bajrami and Rice for the beginning of the second half nevertheless it was Hamza Igamane who quickly blasted excessive over the bar to finish one other Gers assault.
On the different finish, Hurst was inches away from connecting with a cross from Ryan Duncan, who had been despatched clear down the left by Zak Rudden.
Ridvan Yilmaz and John Souttar got here on for Fernandes and Hagi after an hour, simply earlier than Ferrie pushed away a close-range header from Igamane following a Cerny nook.
Rangers have been in a rut and struggling to get out.
Queen’s Park’s Adam Montgomery and Sean Welsh have a good time with goalkeeper Calum Ferrie after he saves a James Tavernier penalty
Drozd had been on the pitch lower than three minutes as a alternative for Hurst when he latched on to a nook from Louis Longridge, left Brazilian defender Jefte for useless and drove by the legs of Kelly from 12 yards earlier than operating to take the acclaim of the ecstatic travelling followers.
Rangers saved pushing however the guests repelled every little thing thrown at them and by the top the house facet have been attacking with frustration relatively than any guile, with Dessers failing with an opportunity in added time when he hesitated earlier than having his shot saved by Ferrie.
Then got here the penalty drama however even then Ferrie couldn’t be overwhelmed, diving to his left to push Tavernier’s penalty away, and shortly afterwards got here the ultimate whistle which confirmed a well-known win.
