Rangers Kids Show Their Class for Harkness' Benefit

Aug 1 2008 by Mike Wilson

Davie Harkness

CLASSY Rangers kids applauded Davie Harkness on to the pitch and then gave him a masterclass display.

The Ibrox youngsters strolled to a 4-1 win over an Ayr United X1 in the veteran groundsman’s testimonial on Monday evening.

Scotland boss George Burley, who cut his managerial teeth at Somerset Park, returned to salute Harko’s 30 years tending the turf. And national under 21 boss Billy Stark was in the stand to see Walter Smith’s babes prove the Ibrox youth policy is in good shape.

But some fans were turned away on police insistence from the all ticket match despite there being only around 1200 in the ground.

Ayr, too, fielded a crop of youngsters including Paul McInnes and Scott Anson who were guesting from Kilmarnock. But Rangers had too much class and a double from Steven Lennon and a strike from Rory Loy gave them a 3-0 half-time lead.

David Gormley drove home a cross from Anson for an Ayr consolation and sub Ryan Stevenson twice went close.

But Loy wrapped it up with his own second when he waltzed clear to strike the ball past trialist keeper David Thomson of Sauchie.

AYR - Thomson (Stewart 71); Kinnaird, McGowan (Bagan 27), Forrest (Aitken 46), Henderson, McInnes (Nichol 60), Murphy (Ireland 64), Weaver, Anson (Crawford 64), Gormley, Agnew (Stevenson 46).

RANGERS - Robison (Gallacher 71); Lowing, McLachlan (Forbes 84), McMillan (Craig 62), Harvey, Emslie, Shinnie, Fleck, Loy, Lennon, Efrem (Stirling 77).

Referee - Charlie Richmond.