rangers

Almost 5,000 away fans kept up an incredible barrage of noise even though we gave a sound performance and won 1-0 with an early goal from Michail Antonio. Boisterous Rangers fans could be seen in the streets and outside pubs in the Hillsborough area and city centre long before the game. And inside the ground the atmosphere became more like that of a cup-tie, with away fans filling the upper and lower West Stand and making them selfs heard. They were also allowed to stretch flags across seats in the empty north-west corner, plus a big one in the middle of the near-empty North Stand. Our fans, who were in the Kop and the South Stand, added their voices to the din and was almost cheering a goal inside two minutes, with Gary Madine missing the target with headers in front of the Kop. Antonio struck in the 12th minute and became the first man to score against Rangers in their first six friendlies.We defended soundly against whatever balls were played into their box in the first half Trialist centre half Kamil Zayatte looked strong and capable on the right side of captain Martin Taylor. There was respect and no antagonism between the rival sets of fans. A banner saying ‘drummer Lee Rigby - lest we forget’ was passed from the away end to Our fans who were at the bottom corner of the South Stand. The tribute to the murdered soldier was also applauded when it was paraded around the pitch at half time. After the break Antonio had been switched to the left, with Helan taken off and Chris Maguire coming on to the right flank. And applause for the players came from all areas of the ground after the final whistle.