Seb Drozd wrote himself into Scottish Cup historical past by sinking Rangers with a shocking winner at Ibrox the place Gers skipper James Tavernier had a last-gasp penalty saved by Calum Ferrie.
The well-known previous competitors was Philippe Clement’s aspect’s final lifelike probability for a home trophy this season because the Gers sit 13 factors behind Premiership leaders Celtic, who beat them within the Premier Sports activities Cup closing in December. The Mild Blues are by to the final 16 of the Europa League.
Callum Davidson’s Championship aspect stored a below-par house aspect at bay within the fifth-round tie earlier than scoring the one objective within the 69th minute by substitute Drozd, the Englishman who signed final October from Millwall.
The house aspect have been dramatically awarded a penalty within the fifth minute of added time when William Tizzard fouled Cyriel Dessers however Tavernier noticed his spot-kick saved by Ferrie.
One of many biggest shocks in Scottish soccer historical past will put Clement again underneath the highlight and the boos rang spherical Ibrox after a defeat which had been unthinkable earlier than the sport.
Davidson loved cup success with St Johnstone at Ibrox in 2021 on their technique to profitable the trophy however few would have guess on a second success with the Spiders.
Liam Kelly took over from Jack Butland in objective for Rangers and 22-year-old Portuguese defender Rafael Fernandes, on mortgage from French aspect Lille, made his first begin as did 18-year-old midfielder Bailey Rice. Robin Propper and Nedim Bajrami returned.
Adam Devine, on mortgage from Rangers, missed out for the guests, changed by 19-year-old Zach Mauchin. Drozd dropped to the bench in favour of Kyle Hurst, signed on mortgage from Doncaster.
The Mild Blues made all of the early working however their ending was principally sub-standard.
Ferrie misplaced a clearance to Mohamed Diomande after 4 minutes however the Gers midfielder’s poor try on the unguarded objective from 20 yards missed the goal, as did Ianis Hagi’s long-distance effort minutes later.
Ferrie saved from Diomande, twice, winger Vaclav Cerny and attacker Bajrami and by the half-hour mark the house followers have been starting to expire of endurance.
Simply earlier than the break Diomande managed to knock the ball extensive of the goal from eight yards following a nook and yet one more probability was squandered.
Dessers and Nicolas Raskin changed Bajrami and Rice for the beginning of the second half but it surely was Hamza Igamane who quickly blasted excessive over the bar to finish one other Gers assault.
On the different finish, Hurst was inches away from connecting with a cross from Ryan Duncan, who had been despatched clear down the left by Zak Rudden.
Ridvan Yilmaz and John Souttar got here on for Fernandes and Hagi after an hour, simply earlier than Ferrie pushed away a close-range header from Igamane following a Cerny nook.
Rangers have been in a rut and struggling to get out.
Drozd had been on the pitch lower than three minutes as a substitute for Hurst when he latched on to a nook from Louis Longridge, left Brazilian defender Jefte for useless and drove by the legs of Kelly from 12 yards earlier than working to take the acclaim of the ecstatic travelling followers.
Rangers stored pushing however the guests repelled every thing thrown at them and by the tip the house aspect have been attacking with frustration relatively than any guile, with Dessers failing with an opportunity in added time when he hesitated earlier than having his shot saved by Ferrie.
Then got here the penalty drama however even then Ferrie couldn’t be crushed, diving to his left to push Tavernier’s penalty away, and shortly afterwards got here the ultimate whistle which confirmed a well-known win.