Rangers Humiliated In Cup Defeat

All of the attention in the footballing world this weekend has been on Liverpool’s embarrassing fourth round exit in the FA Cup, losing 1-0 to Plymouth who are currently bottom of the Championship. Some Reds fans were hoping to win a historic quadruple, as their side are top of the Premier League, top of the Champions League and into the League Cup final, but their hopes were dashed by a second half penalty.

However they aren’t the only side to be humiliated in a cup competition this weekend, and I’m not talking about Southampton’s defeat to second tier Burnley either. Rangers were beaten 1-0 at home to fellow Glasgow based side Queen’s Park, who are in the second tier of Scottish football.

How Did Rangers Lose?

It is being described by some as one of the biggest upsets in Scottish Cup history, but how did it happen? Rangers entered into this match with just one defeat in their last seven games, winning the other six. That defeat came against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Europa League. Neither Celtic nor Tottenham have been able to win at the Ibrox this season, with just Lyon taking away three points, but Queen’s Park changed that.

🤳 Hang it in the Louvre 🖼️ pic.twitter.com/FlZsTMHBwt

— Queen's Park FC (@queensparkfc) February 9, 2025

Rangers dominated the game, and missed a handful of first half opportunities, with Queen’s Park goalkeeper Calum Ferrie making a few good saves and defender Zach Mauchin making a last ditch clearance off the goal line.

Queens Park took the lead in the second half through Seb Drozd’s wonderful effort. The ball fell to him from a corner and he rounded one defender before placing it in the bottom corner of the Rangers net. The hosts lacked creativity and conviction in the second half, but were offered a lifeline through a 97th minute penalty, but James Tavernier couldn’t find a way past Ferrie, who had one of the best games of his career.

What Does This Mean?

Rangers’ season is pretty much over now except for the Europa League. They managed to squeeze into a top eight spot with a win over Union Saint-Gilloise in their last match in the competition, which means they have avoided playing in the playoffs this week. They are 13 points off Celtic in the league, meaning it would take a monumental fall off from their rivals if Rangers wanted to win the league, and they were beaten in the Final of the Scottish League Cup in December.

Philippe Clement has insisted that there are no question marks over his future at the club and has reiterated that this has happened before. He said after the game that the players are angry and he understands their frustration as their performance wasn’t acceptable.

Callum Davidson, the king of Ibrox 🏆🏆

— S M (@StuartMcK17) February 9, 2025

Queen’s Park manager Callum Davidson has done this before. In 2021, he beat Rangers at the Ibrox in the Scottish Cup with St. Johnstone before winning the whole competition. He hasn’t made any suggestion that Queen’s Park will do the same, instead focusing on each game as they come.

His side are currently fifth in the second division, but worryingly distant from the teams at the top. It looks as if they will have to settle for another season in the Scottish Championship next year, but this result will give fans the hope that next year could be the one that sees them return to the top flight.