Ranger's final match of this year's pre season was against Birmingham City and this was my first chance to see how the team was looking in the flesh.

Before the game the two sides did a line up and Gallen was given a standing ovation as he walked out carrying his five-month-old baby. He said thanks to his family, the fans etc and presented his mum and dad with something (couldn't see what it was had a big pole blocking my view) and he was then given a nice shield by Holloway as a thank you for his service.

All quite emotional and then the laughs came as Shittu warmed up and as he tried to kick the ball he fell flat on his face and then looked round hoping no one had noticed but Santos was doubled up on the floor laughing at him.

With this being the last game before it all kicks off properly next week it was interesting to see the team line up which is likely to be very close to the one that plays next week. Martin Rowlands, Garth Ainsworth, Dean Sturridge and Lee Cook were all missing through injury so a few of the fringe players were given a chance.

We started with Royce in goal and a back four of Bignot, Santos, Shittu and Rose which is likely to be the one that starts at Hull next week.

The midfield had Aaron Brown on the left and Stefan Moore on the right with Doherty and Bircham in the middle. Gallen and Furlong started up front although Gallen spent a lot of the game on the right wing after swapping positions with Moore.

The game was played at a slow pace with Rangers looking the sharper of the two sides early on. Chances were few and far between though. Shittu was coping easily with the threat of Heskey whilst Forssell was causing problems but only managed one effort on goal, which went wide.

At the other end we almost grabbed the lead through Santos. He smashed in a low free kick from 25 yards out which was well saved by Taylor. Paul Furlong almost made it 1-0 before the break but his clever lob hit the top of the crossbar whilst Stefan Moore also went close with Taylor saving at his feet after breaking the offside trap.

At half time there was very little between the two teams and the game badly needed a goal or perhaps some of the legends from the earlier game to come on. Jake Cole got a chance in the second half as Royce was rested ahead of the Hull game next week.

The opening goal did come after the break through testimonial man Kevin Gallen.A neat build up on the right with Gallen and Bignot ended with the Rangers captain smashing a shot in from the edge of the box.It was going wide but hit Stefan Moore in the face and found it's way into the back of the net. Gallen claimed it and it would be harsh to take it away from him on his special day.

Birmingham tried to get back in the game after this but never really looked like scoring. Jermaine Pennant was the visitors main threat out wide but he found himself having to drift in field to get the ball and any chances he did create were usually wasted with poor finishing.

Pennant was not happy with one tackle on him by Rose as he rolled around and had a moan at the glass man. It looked a fair tackle to me and Pennant can't have been too hurt as he got up to take the free kick and was booed for the rest of the game.

The second goal came after it looked as if Bircham had committed a foul, the ref played on and Furlong robbed Taylor of the ball and made it 2-0. The Birmingham players were not happy but the goal stood.

The rest of the game was played out pretty easily and Rangers made several changes. Adam Miller, Matthew Hislop, Dominic Shimmin, Marcus Bean ands Ugo Ukah all came on with Shimmin in particular standing out.

During injury time Birmingham got a goal back. Ukah gave the ball away in our own half and Pennant ran into the box only to be brought down for a penalty. Rangers protested but it seemed pretty clear cut to me and Pennant got up to score although Jake Cole came close to keeping it out.

So a good result but as for the actual performance I think it's hard to tell in these sort of games how good or bad we are. Birmingham were very poor and only Forssel, Pennant and Melchiot looked bothered whilst we looked like a side who are a week away from the real stuff and wanted to impress.

As I say hard to judge the players on this but here's a quick player by player review of the game.

Royce: His kicking was very poor but he didn't really have much to do

Bignot: Had a decent game against the dire Anderton and linked well with Gallen.

Rose: Struggled at times although Pennant did look a class above the rest of the players, he got better as the game wore on.

Santos: Had a decent game, doubt he will be first choice when Evatt is fit though, went up front near the end to give Shimmin a go at the back.

Shittu: Had Heskey in is pocket which wasn't hard as a mid 40's Simon Stainrod looked more of a threat than Heskey. How has that man got so many England caps?

Moore: Started on the right wing then kept swapping with Gallen during the game. Looked quick and had some decent movement but I think he'll start next week on the bench.

Doherty: I thought Doherty looked the best of the new boys. As has been said about him he will pick up plenty of cards this season but he didn't give the ball away too often which was good to see. Bircham: Played the more advanced role of the midfield and did ok in the first half, didn't notice him too much in the second half.

Brown: Looked decent, some good skills when he came inside but on the downside he didn't always offer the outlet on the left that Cook does so we were forced to knock it up to Furlong rather than spread the play.

Furlong: His usual self really, caused them problems all game and looked quality.

Gallen: Good to see him score and I thought he looked very impressive throughout the game.

Subs

Cole: Didn't have much to do and almost saved the penalty

Hislop: Played on the left wing and didn't do much.

Bean: Was pretty woeful, I can't see him playing too often this season

Shimmin: My first look at him and he looked class and won't be far away from the first team. The main downside to him though is that his little dummies and skill on the edge of his own box will eventually cost us goals. It looks great when it comes off but he won't get as much time on the ball in a proper game.

Ukah: Gave the ball away which led to the penalty but apart from that looked quite good.

Miller: Looked quite sharp when he came on and played a nice nice through balls, I really hope he breaks through this season and becomes a regular.