Rangers beat Partick Thistle 3-1 in the Scottish League Cup on Tuesday night.
Carlos Pena of Rangers scores against Partick Thistle
Rangers advanced into the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup with a 3-1 extra-time win over Partick Thistle on Tuesday night.
The two Glasgow-based sides met in the league on Friday, playing out a 2-2 draw, and Rangers took he lead again in this encounter, with Carlos Pena heading home at the near post from Daniel Candeias’ corner.
However, Rangers’s defence again allowed Partick back into the encounter, just as they did on Friday night, as Kris Doolan scored a 90th minute equaliser to send the game to extra time.
Carlos Pena of Rangers celebrates after scoring against Partick Thistle
Rangers did re-group and go again in extra time, with winger Candeias putting the Gers back in front before Eduardo Herrera’s deft backheel sealed a 3-1 victory for Pedro Caixinha’s men ahead of the Old Firm derby this weekend.
Caixinha will be happy with the win despite the additional work for his players in extra time, and midfielder Pena certainly turned in a performance that could put him in contention to play against Celtic.
The Mexican international has made a slow start to the season since arriving from Chivas Guadalajara over the summer, struggling for fitness whilst being limited to 25-minute substitute appearances in the league.
Pena finally made his first start for Rangers against Partick, and marked it with a goal, sparking reactions from Gers fans on Twitter during and after the game.
Rangers fans admitted that they were impressed with Pena’s display, suggesting that whilst he is still getting up to speed, he was one of Rangers’ better players against Partick.
Others suggested that the link-up between Pena and Alfredo Morelos shows that Kenny Miller should be phased out of the team, with one fan even suggesting that he was ‘a cut above’ with Morelos the only player on his wavelength.
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