Partick Thistle 1 Rangers 3: Extra-time goals from Daniel Candeias and Eduardo Herrera send Gers through to Betfred Cup semi-final
Storm clouds started to gather over Caixinha when Kris Doolan cancelled out Carlos Pena’s opener but his summer signings shone in extra-time
THEY’D had the wind knocked out of their sails in the final second of the game.
But Daniel Candeias helped Rangers blow away Partick Thistle in extra-time.
Eduardo Herrera then scored the third to send Rangers into the semi-finalThe storm clouds started to gather over boss Pedro Caixinha when Kris Doolan netted to cancel Carlos Pena’s opener just as the clock struck 90.
But Portuguese ace Candeias took just four minutes to smash Gers back in front then set up sub Eduardo Herrera five minutes after that.
SunSport columnist Jim Duffy had branded this the biggest game of Caixinha’s seven months in charge with Saturday’s Old Firm game next up.
It was a victory Gers deserved for all the pressure they put on Thistle.
They still didn’t convince and needed Jak Alnwick to save three times from Conor Sammon and saw Doolan scoop over moments before his equaliser.
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They got there in the end – but they’ll need to up their game if they’re to take anything off the Hoops when they visit Ibrox.
Victory might have come at a cost too. Skipper Lee Wallace was crocked here on Friday night.
With 14 minutes left of normal time last night stand-in captain Bruno Alves was forced off and needed treatment in the dugout.
His exit coincided with Gers inviting the Jags on – and three minutes later Wallace’s replacement at left-back Declan John also had to go off.
Losing both would leave Caixinha down to the bare bones at the back when the champions arrive.
Caixinha had claimed other sides are more aggressive when they face Gers.
Ryan Edwards had apologised to Ryan Jack for his over-the-top tackle in Friday’s clash.
But he took less than six minutes to show he wasn’t going to hold back as he steamed in on Fabio Cardoso and landed a talking to off ref Steven McLean.
Their draw and performance four days earlier gave the Jags belief and Blair Spittal saw a shot deflect wide.
Gers created more openings early on – but most were half chances at best.
From a Candeias corner James Tavernier tried an ambitious overhead kick which flew over.
Alfredo Morelos came close to scoring his ninth of the season when the ball was touched into his path by Pena.
The Colombian took a touch before rifling a shot at goal which Ryan Scully couldn’t hold onto.
The ball dropped to Josh Windass who looked set to score himself but he horribly fluffed his kick and the Jags cleared the danger.
Moments later Morelos smashed one over from a narrow angle then saw another drive well blocked by the excellent Danny Devine.
But as the break approached the Jags had two great chances to take the lead.
Both fell to Sammon – recalled with Miles Storey cup-tied – but both times he was denied by Alnwick.
Spittal robbed Pena then produced a brilliantly timed pass to pick out Sammon running the inside left channel.
Sammon still had a lot to do but he dipped the shoulder then turned Cardoso inside out before lashing in a shot which was well saved by Alnwick.
Ex-Newcastle goalie Alnwick was one of three Gers changes from Friday’s clash – and had been restored after keeping a clean sheet in the win over Dunfermline in the previous round.
When Christie Elliott picked out Edwards the Aussie nodded towards the on-loan Hearts frontman.
Sammon headed goalwards only for Alnwick to stick out a hand and claw away.
Archibald will have been happy with the way the first half ended – but will have been less content with the start of the second.
There was no doubt Thistle’s levels dropped – and they were lucky they didn’t fall behind on 53 minutes.
Candeias robbed Devine then fed Morelos who raced in on goal with only Scully to beat.
He got there before the goalie but saw the ball roll agonisingly wide.
Gers were getting greater success with full-backs John and Tavernier pushed further forwards – and the opener eventually came.
John burst down the left and saw his cross well blocked by Devine once more.
When Candeias floated in the corner Pena – on his first start - got in between Devine and Keown to flick goalwards and the ball looped in at the back post.
It was no more than Gers deserved and Archibald reacted by replacing Jordan Turnbull for Doolan and reverting to a back four.
It nearly paid off when Sammon found Doolan and the ball found itself way back to Sammon who saw Alnwick save once more.
But Gers should have been celebrating a second goal moments later after the Jags left themselves short at the back from one of their own corners.
Thistle didn’t look in any danger though – until Paul McGinn gave the ball away to Candeias.
He rounded Scully and looked set to roll the ball into the empty net but spooned horribly over.
The tiring Pena was hooked for Jason Holt on 70 minutes.
Alves was replaced by Ross McCrorie with 14 minutes left.
Without his presence Gers dropped deeper and there were signs of what was to come as Alnwick blocked from Devine and Doolan scooped over.
It looked like the chance might have gone but when Sammon beat Tavernier to Adam Barton’s cross Doolan made no mistake.
Caixinha took advantage of the fourth sub allowed in extra-time by replacing Morelos with Herrera.
Candeias quickly crashed Gers back in front then moments later picked out Herrera who flicked home.