Arthurs Column // 15th February 2023

Winning Cup games doesn't need to be pretty. It just needs to be all about the victory and being in the draw for the next round.

Rangers achieved that on Sunday with a 3-2 win against Partick Thistle. We now face Raith Rovers at home in the last eight.

Much of the focus from the weekend was on Michael Beale's decision to allow the Jags to equalise after Malik Tillman scored to make it 2-1.

Given the circumstances, it was the right thing to do.

Michael checked the facts with his backroom staff and made the decision. It was very sporting of him and showed good leadership.

As he explained afterwards, a big part of the decision was to protect Mailk.

He didn't want the player being involved in any controversy or unnecessary negative headlines for his part in it all. Mailk acted in complete innocence for that second goal.

I remember something similar with Arsenal against Sheffield United in 1999 in an FA Cup tie.

The Gunners scored through my friend, Marc Overmars, when he was on the end of a pass from Kanu to make it 2-1 to his side.

Kanu had no idea he was to play the ball back to a United player when he received it after it had to been kicked out of play to allow treatment.

Arsenal didn't allow United to equalise and there was uproar because of it.

Arsene Wenger, instead, a few minutes afte the full-time whistle offered his counterpart, Steve Bruce a replay and it was agreed to by the FA.

Arsenal won the replay 2-1.

Arsene was applauded for his sporting conduct and so should Michael.

However, we move on from it. The focus is now on Livingston and the League Cup Final.

It's fair to say we didn't play in the first half on Sunday but we did improve.

We need to start better this weekend away to Livingston. We can't be sloppy. We need to be right on from the first whistle.

It will need to be the same when we face Celtic. Every player will need to bring his A game to Hampden Park for 90 minutes.

Ryan Kent will be looked upon as a potential match winner and I do think he is looking like a player capable of hurting any opponent.

Ryan appears to have a spark back in his game and that is excellent news.

I'd like to see him put in a top performance this weekend to set him up nicely for the challenge in the Final.

Longer term, I've no idea if Ryan wants to stay at Rangers. I certainly hope he does.

It would be nice if a deal could be agreed with him as soon as possible but it's never easy to get a contract over the line.

Given he is out of contract in the summer, the player may want to assess his options and he has every right to do so.

We will just have to wait and see what the future brings. Hopefully there is a positive outcome.

But as long as he wears that Rangers jersey, I want to see him tear teams apart and help us win silverware.