Live Commentary: Rangers 1-1 Elgin City - as it happened

Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of today's Scottish Third Division encounter between Rangers and Elgin City at Ibrox.

To say Rangers are running away with the league this season would be like saying Ryan Giggs has a bit of a hairy chest. Ally McCoist's side are currently a whopping 17 points clear at the top of the table as they go into the second half of the campaign.

Meanwhile, today's opponents Elgin started the season strongly, but they travel to Ibrox on a four-game winless streak. Even more worringly is that their last three have all been defeats, conceding 12 goals in the process.

RANGERS STARTING XI: Alexander; Hegarty, Perry, Cribari, Wallace; Black, Hutton; Little, Macleod, Templeton; McCulloch
Subs: Currie, McKay, Sandaza, Shiels, Faure

So, the hosts make three changes to their side as Lee McCulloch, Lewis Macleod and Emilson Cribari all return to the starting lineup. The inclusion of McCulloch, who has shaken off an ankle problem, will be music to the ears of Gers fans - their captain has scored 22 goals so far this season.

We'll bring you the Elgin team news as soon as we have it.

While Rangers may have had cause to fear Elgin at the start of the campaign, there should be plenty of confidence going around the Ibrox camp ahead of this one today. The home side have beaten today's opponents three times already this season with two wins in the league and one in the Scottish Cup fourth round. Incredibly, Rangers have scored 14 goals in those contests, while Elgin have found the net on three occasions. The last meeting between the pair came on December 22 as the Gers cruised to a 6-2 triumph.

ELGIN STARTING XI: Malin, Beveridge, Cameron, Crighton, Duff, Niven, Harkins, O'Donoghue, Leslie, Nicolson, Moore

UPDATE: If you like your FA Cup shocks we have our first one of the weekend as Brighton have beaten Newcastle 2-0 at the Amex Stadium.

While Elgin have been in shaky form of late, Rangers have been simply unstoppable. They've won their 11 previous games in the league, scoring 34 goals in the process. Their last defeat came at Stirling on October 6.

There was, of course, something of a shambles when these two sides were due to meet at Borough Briggs at the end of November. It was revealed that too many tickets were sold for the match, causing it to be postponed. Rangers boss Ally McCoist said at the time that he felt sorry for the fans of both teams. The fixture was rearranged for December 22 - which Rangers comfortably won 6-2.

Overall, January looks to be a decent month for Rangers, fixtures-wise. While they host Elgin today, they have another two matches at Ibrox this month against Berwick and Montrose respectively. Meanwhile, their sole away match comes in the form of Peterhead on January 20.

If Elgin are to move back into second spot today they will need to win at Ibrox and hope that Peterhead lose at home to Montrose.

Interestingly, these two teams had only met three previous times before this season, all in the Scottish Cup. It should come as no surprise that Rangers won 6-1 on two occasions, while the third saw them run out 3-0 winners. That last encounter was in the heady days of 1977.

Ten minutes until kickoff at Ibrox and the stands are steadily filling up inside the famous old stadium.

Now's the time that I would usually give a prediction, but that seems almost redundant today. Rangers are the hot favourites to win this one considering their recent form. If Elgin can channel to spirit that they showed earlier in the season then who knows, but Ally McCoist's side should get the three points from this one. I'm going for a 3-0 home win.

We're still waiting for the team here at Ibrox...

Finally! Here come the teams to rapturous applause from the home fans.

There will be a minute's silence to remember the 66 people who lost their lives following the Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic in 1971.

Here we go then! It'll be Rangers to get us underway...

A bit of a frantic start to this one. Rangers are attacking with plenty of conviction, while Elgin are struggling to keep hold of the ball. Elgin goalkeeper Malin receives a backpass, but McCulloch is on him in a flash and almost nicks the ball away from him.

The visitors are still finding ti hard to have any possession at the moment. Rangers are looking very comfortably indeed.

CHANCE! Rangers have started superbly here and they almost grab the opener through Templeton. The winger bursts into the box, but he just can't get his shot away properly. Instead he pokes the ball weakly towards goal and Elgin clear.

A wonderful goal from Lewis Macleod! The 18-year-old midfielder shows great control in the area before flicking the ball past Malin in the Elgin goal. Great composure from the youngster.

That was Macleod's third goal of the season and his second against Elgin in the campaign. The midfielder netted during the recent 6-2 rout.

Suddenly a real moment of panic in the Rangers box. Alexander takes too long with a backpass and is almost closed down. However, he just about manages to boot the ball out of play. That came out of nothing.

Elgin trying to make inroads on the Rangers goal now, but Nicolson's floated cross is just too long for Niven and the ball goes out of play. Signs of life from the visitors now.

HANDBALL SHOUT! Rangers are claiming for a penalty as Black's fizzing effort hits Nicolson. I don't think that the Elgin man had too much of a clue about that one. It would have been harsh, to say the least.

BOOKING: Ooof! Duff goes into the book for Elgin following a meaty challenge on Templeton. That was a poor tackle indeed.

Credit to the referee there. A few of the players from both sides were involved in some pushing and shoving, but it was all diffused quickly.

Rangers are still banging on the Elgin door with real persistence. This time it's Little who tries to have a crack at goal, but Niven is there to avert the danger with a timely interception.

Half chance for Elgin now as Crighton is allowed a free header in the area. Fortunately for the hosts it's a weak effort and Alexander gathers easily.

Little shows great determination to bomb it down the right side, but his cross is a poor one and Elgin have a goal kick. What might have worried Ally McCoist there was the lack of teammates that Little had to aim for in the middle.

Rangers are huffing and puffing here, but Elgin are hanging on. They'll be very pleased if they go in at half time just one goal down.

CHANCE! Macleod is showing some real magic when he's on the ball this afternoon. This time he jinks his way down the right before delivering a powerful cross right into the dangerzone. All it needs is a teammate to get a touch, but Elgin goalkeeper Malin collects the ball well.

A bit too clever for Templeton's own good there. The winger drifts in to the edge of the box, only for his cheeky scooped pass to go through to Malin.

Neat work from Elgin there to carve out an opportunity. A decent passing move ends with the ball being played out to Nicolson. The cross isn't a bad one, but Rangers get rid of the danger.

That's harsh on the visitors. Paul Harkins is shown a straight red card for his challenge on David Templeton. It was certainly a reckless tackle from behind, but surely a yellow would have sufficed? Anyway, Elgin are down to 10 men and have it all to do.

YELLOW CARD: Play has continued for a good couple of minutes since tat sending off, but Mark Nicolson goes into the book for dissent.

YELLOW CARD: The cards are coming thick and fast now as Emílson Cribari is shown a yellow for a poor challenge.

The referee blows the half-time whistle and Rangers lead Elgin City 1-0 at Ibrox thanks to Lewis Macleod's ninth-minute strike. Elgin players surround the referee as he walks off the pitch as they remonstrate with him over Paul Harkins's red card towards the end of the half.

The hosts are full deserving of their one-goal lead, but some wastefulness in front of goal means that Elgin are still in this one.

The standout players in that half were Gers duo David Templeton and Lewis Macleod. They showed plenty of creative spark in all areas of the attacking third and are sure to cause Elgin plenty of problems in the second period.

So, what can Elgin do to get themselves back into this one? Well, they occasionally threatened the Gers goal this afternoon, but they'll certainly need to show some ambition and push more men forward.

We're just waiting for the players to emerge from the tunnel for this second half...

Here we go the, Elgin will get us going for the second half...

Rangers force the first corner of the second period, but they play it short and it comes to nothing. A real waste there for the hosts as they had plenty of bodies in the middle.

Ally McCoist is prowling the touchline. You just know he'd love to be out there.

CHANCE! Hegarty's weak left-footed effort from the edge of the area is easily blocked before the ball falls to Little, who's first-time shot flies narrowly wide. Rangers have started this second half as they played for the entirety of the first - on the front foot.

CHANCE! Hegarty's weak left-footed effort from the edge of the area is easily blocked before the ball falls to Little, who's first-time shot flies narrowly wide. Rangers have started this second half as they played for the entirety of the first - on the front foot.

A real melee in the Elgin area ends with Templeton flashing his volley over from 18 yards.

Rangers have another corner and it's Macleod who swings it in, but Malin does well to rise above a number of bodies and claim the ball.

Both sides are struggling to keep hold of the ball at the moment. Templeton is the latest to give possession away and the Ibrox crowd groans in annoyance.

WHOOSH! Hegarty hasn't been afraid to get forward in this second half, but this time his shot at goal sails high and wide.

SUBSTITUTION: Goalscorer Lewis Macleod is the man who is coming off for Rangers with Barrie McKay his replacement.

McKay has already terrorised the Elgin defence a couple of times in the few minutes that he's been on the pitch. This time he brezzes past a couple of opposition players, but his cross is cut out.

Nearly an opening for Rangers there as Little chases down a through ball, only for Malin to react quickly and collect.

CHANCE! Superb from McKay. The substitute powers into the box and powers a shot at the Elgin goal. However, Malin is there to save with his feet before the ball is hoofed away. You get the feeling that it's only a matter of time before the home side double their advantage.

Rangers want a corner as Little is challenged at the near post, trying to direct the ball towards goal. The referee points to a goal kick.

Black tries a speculative effort from all of 30 yards, but the ball sails into the stand behind the goal. There's a sense of 'when' not 'if' the second goal is coming here, but that could be Rangers' undoing. Elgin are still in this and could fancy nicking one late on providing that they soak up this pressure.

SAVE! How has that stayed out? Little's header looks destined for the back of the net, but Malin somehow claws it away from goal.

SUBSTITUTION: Rangers make their second change now as Dean Shiels replaces Kyle Hutton.

CHANCE! The corners keep coming for Rangers and this time it's Cribari who gets his head to the ball. However, he can only flick his effort wide.

Rangers defender Ross Perry is receiving some treatment now following a clash of heads. He looks a bit battered after that.

SUBSTITUTION: And that's the last we'll see of Perry today. He's down the tunnel to get more treatment for his bloody nose and Sebastian Faure is on in his place.

HANDBALL SHOUT! Elgin could well count themselves lucky there. Little's cross is dubiously blocked, but the referee is having none of it.

CHANCE! Templeton shows great composure as he controls the ball in the area before striking it towards goal. A deflection sees it fly inches wide of the post and Rangers can't do anything with the corner.

SUBSTITUTION: The experienced Dennis Wyness is on for Elgin.

Rangers are still passing it around with real purpose, but there's still just the one goal in it as wen enter the final eight minutes of the contest. Can Elgin nick something?

The visitors are suddenly hustling down the other end of the pitch. As expected, Wyness is using all of his experience to create something.

BOOKING: Templeton goes into the book for clipping the heels of an Elgin player.

Would you believe it?! Elgin have the free kick following Templeton's foul and Moore's delivery looks to have gone through everyone to goalkeeper Alexander. However, the Gers shotstopper has an absolute nightmare and fumbles the ball into his own net. Incredible.

Rangers are trying to push for a winner now when, in reality, they should have had this match wrapped up.

There's the full-time whistle and Elgin City have somehow come away from Rangers with a 1-1 draw. The home side were utterly dominant throughout the 90 minutes, but their wastefulness in front of goal cost them as a late mistake from goalkeeper Neil Alexander made sure that Lewis Macleod's ninth-minute opener counted for nothing. Ally McCoist won't be pleased but he can rest easy knowing that his team still has a comfortable lead at the top of the Third Division table.

Anyway, that all from me. Thanks for joining us here at Sports Mole and we hope to see you again soon. Happy New Year!