Rangers fans face a wait for details of the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup last-16 clash with Solihull Moors to be confirmed – with the current date likely to be postponed due to international call-ups.
After beating NIFL Premiership side Ballymena United 1-0 on Wednesday night at the Showgrounds, Graeme Murty’s young side now face a lengthy trip to Solihull’s SportNation.bet Stadium.
Serge Atakayi’s goal proved to be the difference between the two sides after the winger picked up on a long ball forward by Jamie Barjonas before rifling home late in the game.
There’s fair number of Rangers fans on Twitter and fan forums suggesting they’d be making the trip but with the clash against Ballymena having been moved from its original date earlier this month due to international call-ups, the Solihull game looks likely to face a similar fate.
Of the players involved for Murty’s side, several have been involved with their respective national teams at various age groups recently so a postponement seems likely – although it won’t be confirmed until the squads are announced for the October international fixtures.
Kieran Wright, Dapo Mebude, Nathan Patterson and Daniel Finlayson were all away with their national teams earlier this month – with all four starting last night’s win – and Patterson and Mebude likely to be involved with Scotland under 19s’ clash with Andorra the same day then Rangers will almost certainly request the game is moved.
Solihull’s ground holds just over 3000 fans and a healthy Rangers support for the Colts would be a big boost as they play the first domestic cup clash against a side playing in the English leagues since losing to Aston Villa in the semi-final of the 1887 FA Cup, so a Saturday game would be better, but if Murty’s side are missing several players then it makes sense to have it moved – even if that means reducing the number of Rangers fans who could make the trip.
If the game does get postponed, then October 22nd looks to be the most likely date for the game to take place.
Solihull’s place in the last 16 was sealed following a penalty shootout win over Gers’ legend Barry Ferguson’s Kelty Hearts after a 1-1 draw in normal time.