The Macedonian took his tally to seven for the season to help send Gers into the fifth round
Bojan Miovski takes the acclaim(Image: Mark Runnacles/Shutterstock)
It was the worst kept secret since Tory traitor Robert Jenrick revealed himself to be a character of questionable integrity.
The pre-match parade of Andreas Skov Olsen at Ibrox hardly came as a surprise either to a Rangers support who’ve been waiting all week to see the Dane holding a blue scarf over his head. Bombshell revelation or not, at least it wasn’t followed by another nasty shock as Danny Rohl’s men sidestepped the Annan banana skin to ease through their Scottish Cup opener.
Almost a year on from their humiliating first hurdle exit at the hands of Queen’s Park, all eyes were on Gers’ German gaffer to see if he would suffer the same kind of mortifying tumble taken by Philippe Clement. But any fears of a shock repeat were killed off as soon as hat-trick hero Bojan Miovski fired the first of three goals 12 minutes in.
The cheer produced by that one didn’t quite match the rapturous applause that was generated by the sight of Skov Olsen marching down the tunnel five minutes before kick-off having finally agreed his six-month loan switch to Glasgow. If the Wolfsburg winger – who could make his move permanent in the summer – is the face of Rangers’ future, the fringe-man filled line-up sent out by Rohl was a nod to the past.
Djeidi Gassama and Jayden Meghoma were the only regulars to start and the rustiness showed in the others as Annan almost took a stunning early lead with Josh Dixon’s second-minute volley. But the Ibrox second string got the job done, with Miovski nodding home his second on the half-hour mark from kid Findlay Curtis’ cross.
Gers had to wait until two minutes into the second half for No3 when Kieran Dowell looped a header over Charlie Albinson after Joe Rothwell sent over a cross from another Gers set-piece routine.
Miovski completed his treble, tucking home with a penalty after Ryan Muir bundled over Rabbi Matondo in the box.
Thelo Aasgard’s stunning free-kick wrapped up the win with four minutes left.
Here are five talking points from Ibrox.
Hit parade
The 37500 supporters who braved near-freezing temperatures and empty January wallets turned out in the hope they’d be treated to the sight of some new signings.
But while they did get a quick peek at all three of Rohl’s new recruits, only Tochi Chukwuani actually featured against Wullie Gibson’s men.
While the midfielder’s looked neat and tidy on the ball during his half-hour cameo, the fans will have to wait for Belgian left-back Tuur Rommens’ debut while he regains fitness after picking up a knock with former side Westerlo.
But it’s winger Skov Olsen the fans are really excited about seeing in a blue jersey.
This Gers side are crying out for imagination at the top end of the pitch and a player who blasted 50 goals in three seasons at Club Brugge should certainly provide what this team are missing.
No repeat shock
The painful memories of February 9, 2025, are still stained into Liam Kelly’s memory.
The Rangers back-up keeper was back in goal to face Annan 11 months on from being part of the side dumped out of the Cup by Championship Queen’s Park.
It was a shocker that ranks alongside the infamous 1967 defeat to Berwick Rangers in the Ibrox hall of shame.
Hence why Kelly – the only man to start against Callum Davidson’s team as well as last night’s League Two part-timers – had been pains to warn his team that Annan should not be under-estimated.
Gibson’s side actually started well and caused a few problems early one.
But once Miovski put Rangers ahead there was no threat of another historic slip up.
Bomb squad
Joe Rothwell and Dannny Rohl(Image: SNS Group)
Joe Rothwell was supposed to be Russell Martin’s marquee signing but ended up becoming a poster boy for the former gaffer’s failed reign.
He was back for just his second appearance under Rohl – the first since the German’s dugout debut against Brann – as Max Aarons, Clinton Nsiala, Dowell, Nasser Djiga and Danilo were also called in for rare starts.
If the punters had their way – and this likely goes for chairman Andrew Cavenagh too – all six of these costly under-performers would be offloaded this month.
This was a chance to perhaps change opinions but if anything they underlined the impressions held of them at Ibrox.
Rothwell was slack with his passing, Djiga and Nsiala ponderous at the back while Dowell looked as powderpuff as ever. They won’t be here much longer.
Miovski on the mark
For a brief moment it looked like former Aberdeen striker Miovski had established himself as Danny Rohl’s new first pick up front.
With three goals in two games against Kilmarnock and Ferencvaros, the former Aberdeen ace looked to have rediscovered his Dons lethal touch.
But a knock sustained in Budapest opened the door for Youssef Chermiti to snatch back the jersey – and he’s kept hold of it ever since.
However, with the £8million man yet to prove himself as a dependable scorer, the door is still open for Miovski to fight his way back in.
His tidy treble against the Galabankies will have done him the world of good but he’ll have to make more of an impact with his link-up play if he’s to persuade Gers chiefs not to go hunting for a more rounded striker.
Gass-lighting
There have been times, especially early on in his Ibrox career, where Djeidi Gassama has threatened to look like the real deal at Ibrox.
But this was another of the increasingly common occurrences when the former France youth international flattered to deceive.
It was expected that Rohl’s arrival would help get the best out of his former Sheffield Wednesday winger.
But instead Gassama continues to blow hot and cold.
He was back on his favoured left-hand side against Annan but it was a laboured performance up against a team of men who’d spent the day delivering letters and working on building sites and no surprise that he was hooked just after half-time for Rabbi Matondo.
With Skov Olsen’s arrival, he’s going to have to work a hell of a lot harder if he’s to keep his place in Rohl’s side.