Rangers vs Alloa Athletic. Scottish Championship.
Ibrox StadiumAttendance50,349.
Saturday 23 April 2016 20:30, UK
Scott Gallacher played a starring role as plucky Alloa drew 1-1 at Ibrox where Rangers were presented with the Scottish Championship trophy to ignite an afternoon of partying.
The Alloa goalkeeper pulled off a string of good saves to deny the runaway champions, who suffered an early setback and even missed a penalty.
However, despite two dropped points at home, nothing could dampen the atmosphere around the ground which next season welcomes back the Scottish Premiership following four years out of the top flight.
Alloa took a surprise lead with their first attack in the eighth minute when Andy Halliday's lazy pass was intercepted by Michael Duffy who outsprinted a stretched Rangers defence before calmly finding the bottom right hand corner of the net from the edge of the box.
As Rangers immediately chased an equaliser, Gedion Zelalem had a 20-yard effort comfortably saved by Gallacher, while Nicky Clark hit the side-netting.
King also tested Gallacher twice during the opening half-an-hour as the hosts dominated possession.
Halliday blasted over for the champions and he then missed a penalty four minutes before half-time when he side-footed the ball wide of Gallacher's right post after Kyle McAusland had chopped down Barrie McKay.
The visitors finally conceded when Halliday's looping cross found its way to an unmarked James Tavernier at the far post and the English defender made no mistake from six yards, powerfully heading Rangers level with the final action of the first half.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with Halliday combining with King who was denied once again by Gallacher.
The Wasps 'keeper also blocked King just before the hour mark, with McKay firing over as Rangers failed to break down some stubborn defending by a team which kicked off at lunchtime 60 points behind their more illustrious opponents.
Gallacher saved his best till last as he scampered across goal to block Liam Burt from 10 yards, before Tavernier clipped the ball wide three minutes from time.
Despite enjoying 71 per cent possession and six times as many shots, Rangers had to be satisfied with a point against a team already relegated to League One.
But the mood around Ibrox remained jubilant with Rangers being presented the Championship trophy following the final whistle. Next stop the Scottish Cup final in May, followed by a return to the big time in August.
