Rangers grabbed their first win of the season with a confidence boosting 3-0 victory over Kenny Jackett's Swansea City in the Carling Cup. The game was as comfortable as the scoreline suggests with Swansea lucky to get nil in the end as they were totally dominated by the R's.

Olly rang the changes and made several changes to the side that slumped to defeat against Derby County at the weekend. Day remained in goal behind a back four of Bignot, Forbes, Shittu and Padula. Dan's inclusion had surprised everyone in the crowd as he had suddenly gone from unusable on Saturday to fit enough to start on Tuesday. Rowlands, Santos, Gallen and Cook made up the midfield with Cureton and Furlong in attack.

Most of the early running, and indeed most of the first half was dominated by Rangers. Gallen was pulling the strings in the middle of the park and looked very much at home in that role, I wonder whether it is something that Olly will want to go with against better opposition, unfortunately, I doubt it. Most of the R's efforts seemed to be from distance with Gallen in particular looking to test ropey keeper Willy Gueret. On more than one occasion he fumbled routine saves and it was easy to see why Rangers had chosen this tactic.

At the other end Shittu seemed to have picked up where he left off, winning every aerial challenge and tucking chubby amusement arcade Lee Trundle safely in his pocket. He was on the end of three very robust challenges though and was forced from the action after only twenty minutes. Hopefully this was just a precaution; he did seem to take a blow to the back early in the piece, which seemed to hinder his movement a little. I just hope, as I am sure everybody does, that the knee is in one piece. Beany came on in his place with Santos slotting into the back four.

With just over five minutes to go to the break Rangers took the lead. Swansea conceded a free kick on the left. Gino swung in a peach of a ball, pretty much the first time I have had to say that this season, and Curo popped up at the far post to slot home unchallenged. It was a lead that Rangers richly deserved and will no doubt have given them a boost just when it was needed.

After the break Rangers continued to dominate and soon enough Bircham was into the action for the first time since injuring his ankle at the RAF training camp in pre-season. He replaced Cureton with Gallen moving back into attack. Things didn't seem as fluent for a while which was due in part to Birch being rusty and Gallen having been excellent in the middle of the park.

With thirteen minutes left to play Rangers added their second through Martin Rowlands. Cookie slipped the ball in from the left and Beany stuck out a foot to send the ball goalward. For once Gueret actually managed a decent save, sending the ball against the post. He had no luck though as the ball fell into the path of Rowlands and he rifled a fierce left footed effort into the net.

Rangers were on easy street now and with a couple left to play Swansea found themselves down to ten men and facing a penalty. Kevin McLeod, now on for Furlong, blasted his way past Kevin Austin and was hauled down as he prepared to tuck the ball home. Referee Tanner had little option but to award the pen and show the red card to the hapless Swan. Gallen stepped up to take the penalty and only just managed to graze the bar as he sent a wild effort clattering into the Mickey Fillery Memorial Mesh.

He was clearly downhearted and spent the next few minutes staring at his boots before McLeod served up a chance for him to redeem himself. Macca rose well to flick on a long ball from the back and Gallen ran onto the pass before sending a delicate lob over the advancing Gueret to wrap the game up. He was clearly delighted and so were his team mates, it was no less than his performance on the night deserved.

This was a good showing from Rangers who defended well and seemed a little more fluent on the ball than of late. I am sure a lot of this was down to the opposition but a win breeds confidence and they will be pleased to have the winning taste back again. It was great to see the big man back again and although we may not see him again for a couple of games he will be delighted. It was also good to see Bircham back in action. Santos defended very well when he came on although his distribution is very hit and miss; sounds like the perfect Rangers centre half! Bean and Gallen combined very well in midfield with Beany the Terry McCann to Gallen's Arthur Daley! This looks a good option for us in there and I would like to see Olly go with it again.

On to a Friday night Sky clash with Gillingham now and we have to make sure we take something from this display into this game with us. It will be a tough match up against a side that have already won both home games this term and we all know that we so often fail to turn up when the cameras are there…

simon@qprnet.com