Points Shared at Gayfield for Scottish Championship Opener
Arbroath 1-1 Ayr United N. Todorov 89′ , J. Murphy 5′ Arbroath and Ayr opened the championship season with a competitive 1-1 draw at Gayfield. Despite the pre-match flag-raising celebrations for Arbroath, it was Ayr United who started the brighter of the two sides. Just five minutes in, Jamie Murphy opened the scoring with a fierce right-footed shot from the edge of the box. Arbroath started slowly, but eventually sparked into life on the half-hour mark. Craig Watson’s attempt sailed over David Mitchell’s goal, and moments later, Scott Stewart couldn’t convert a close-range header from a Ryan Dow corner. Reilly also tested the Ayr net, but his shot lacked power. A notable theme throughout the game was the intense physicality, with both teams engaging in numerous crunching tackles. Ayr United’s George Oakley was a constant presence and perhaps fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after an apparent forearm strike to the back of Craig Watson’s neck. Ryan Dow had a golden opportunity to equalise but failed to direct a teasing ball from Harry Cochrane on goal. Further good play saw Scott Stewart pick out Marshall, whose reverse pass to the onrushing Wilkie could only find the side netting. Despite Ayr’s early dominance, Scott Brown’s side had plenty of work left to do. Scott Brown made a tactical change at halftime, introducing Celtic loanee Kyle Ure for Dom Thomas. Another Ayr loanee, Jude Bonnar, had the first chance of the second half but couldn’t direct Curtis Main’s cross. Arbroath quickly responded with an opportunity of their own, as David Mitchell well saved Reilly’s close-range strike. The second half mirrored the end of the first, with Arbroath on top and Ayr struggling to regain control. Around the 65-minute mark, Brown again adjusted his tactics, bringing on defensive signing Shaun Want for Curtis Main, who, despite scoring twice against Arbroath in the League Cup, couldn’t add to his tally in this match. Arbroath’s persistence paid off in the 88th minute when super-sub Nikolay Todorov powered home a teasing cross from Craig Watson, sending the Gayfield faithful into raptures and levelling the score. With five minutes of added time, the home support urged their team on for a winner. While they couldn’t find a second goal, Arbroath’s joint managers David Gold and Craig Hamilton can take significant encouragement from their side’s competitive performance against one of last season’s top Championship teams. Scott Brown’s Ayr United started brightly but will undoubtedly be disappointed with their inability to add to their lead. Teams Arbroath: McAdams Wilkie O’Brien Muirhead Flynn Reilly (Pettifer 90+3’) Dow Stewart Watson Marshall (Callachan 72’) Cochrane (Todorov 85’) Bookings: Muirhead 42’ Stewart 60’ Ayr United: Mitchell McAllister Dick Oakley Main Thomas (Ure 46’) Murphy (Rus 70’) Bonnar (Walker 60’) McKenzie Watret (Hastie 70’) McMann Bookings: Bonnar 44’ Oakley (45+3’)
Rangers sign Tottenham Hotspur winger Mikey Moore on a season-long loan
Rangers have completed the signing of Tottenham Hotspur winger Mikey Moore on a season-loan subject to international clearance. The 17-year-old becomes Russell Martin’s 7th summer signing as the rebuild continues at the Light Blues. Moore has came through the youth ranks at the Lilywhites and was the youngest player to start for the club in a league match since 1993. The winger scored his first ever professional goal in the Europa League against Elfsborg, making him England’s youngest-ever goal scorer in a European competition. Speaking to the Rangers official club website, the England under-19s international spoke about how he and his family have always had a deep love for the Ibrox club: “I’m excited to get going. As soon as I heard Rangers were interested and wanted me to come, it was a massive opportunity for me. “I’m excited to be here and hopefully I can show the fans and everyone what I can do. “I think with the new boss and the way that we play, it’s a great place to be at the minute. It was a pretty easy decision for me to come here.” The Rangers boss also told the club website that despite Moore’s age, he believes he can make a big impact on the team: “We are thrilled to bring Mikey on loan for this season. “His profile as a brave, aggressive attacking player is one that we were keen to add to the squad, and he is certainly a player who, despite his age, can make an impact on the team from day one. “He is a player with huge potential, and it is testament to his quality that he has been entrusted by Spurs in both the Premier League and UEFA Europa League with such regularity over the last 18 months.
