Imagine witnessing a football match where a new signing watches from the sidelines as his teammate steals the show with a hat-trick in a dominant cup victory. That’s exactly what happened when Bojan Miovski’s treble headlined Rangers’ 5-0 Scottish Cup triumph over Annan Athletic, all while Andreas Skov Olsen, the club’s latest addition, observed his new team in action at Ibrox. But here’s where it gets intriguing: was this just a warm-up for what Skov Olsen could bring to the squad?
Miovski, the North Macedonia striker and one of nine changes to Danny Rohl’s lineup, opened the scoring in the 12th minute of the fourth-round tie against the League Two visitors. He then doubled the lead shortly after the half-hour mark with a well-placed header. And this is the part most people miss: his performance wasn’t just about goals—it was a statement of intent for a Rangers side looking to assert dominance in the competition. Midfielder Kieran Dowell joined the party early in the second half with his first goal of the season, a header that seemed to seal the deal. Miovski completed his hat-trick in the 74th minute with a penalty, before substitute Thelo Aasgaard capped off the win with a stunning 30-yard free-kick in the closing minutes.
For Skov Olsen, the 26-year-old Danish winger signed on loan from Wolfsburg (with an option to buy), this was his first glimpse of life at Rangers. He was introduced to the Gers fans before kickoff alongside fellow newcomers Tochi Chukwuani, a 22-year-old Danish midfielder, and Tuur Rommens, a Belgian left-back working on his fitness. But here’s the controversial bit: while the new signings were paraded with fanfare, it was the existing squad that truly shone, leaving fans to wonder how these additions will fit into an already formidable lineup.
The home side initially looked unsettled, but Miovski’s opener—a 16-yard strike past Annan’s debutant keeper Charlie Albinson—set the tone for the match. His second goal, a simple header from three yards out after a Findlay Curtis cross, highlighted the clinical finishing that Annan struggled to contain. Curtis, linked with a loan move to Kilmarnock, was a constant threat, though his chipped effort in the 38th minute struck the bar. Dowell’s looping header early in the second half effectively ended any hopes of an Annan comeback.
Substitutions added further intrigue, with 17-year-old Zebedee Lawson making his debut alongside Rabbi Matondo. Chukwuani, the £4m signing from Sturm Graz, also entered the fray, though it was Matondo’s foul in the box that led to Miovski’s penalty. Aasgaard’s free-kick, curling into the top corner, was the icing on the cake for Rangers, marking his fourth goal in six games. But here’s the question: with such depth and talent, can Rangers maintain this level of performance as the season progresses?
Looking ahead, the Scottish Cup’s fourth round continues with a packed schedule. Dunfermline hosts Hibernian at lunchtime on Saturday, while 11 games kick off at 3pm, including Camelon Juniors’ clash with Elgin and Premiership matchups like Kilmarnock vs. Dundee and Livingston vs. St Mirren. The evening sees Hearts welcome Falkirk, two sides exceeding expectations in the top flight. The round wraps up on Sunday with Aberdeen hosting Raith and Celtic visiting Auchinleck Talbot. What’s your take? Are Rangers the team to beat this season, or will the competition surprise us? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
