Lindsay Herron reports from Broadwood

A SLICE of luck rather than a touch of sublime skill won the contest for Rangers on a night when some great old entertainers added to the ambiance.

Charlie Adam's left foot shot with 11 minutes remaining struck Nacho Novo and diverted into the net in what was a decent workout for Walter Smith's side.

There was a carnival atmosphere attached to it all given the special guests that Clyde had in their ranks, namely Jorg Albertz, Brian Laudrup and Arthur Numan.

Indeed the Rangers connection extended to Billy Gibson in midfield and Gary McSwegan on the bench, not withstanding the Clyde technical area which featured John Brown, Dougie Bell, Andy Goram and Gary Bollan.

It was more like a 9 in a row reunion than anything else with Ally McCoist and Walter Smith on the Rangers bench.

On the fun side, Albertz and Laudrup showed they still have the touches while Numan did not look out of place - five years after retiring.

Some Laudrup trickery and Albertz cheek warmed the Clyde fans - and the visiting Rangers supporters - but this was a serious night for Rangers in their preparations.

They certainly created enough opportunities in the first half, but could not take any of them.

Lee McCulloch had a few long range shots saved, Kenny Miller worked three decent opportunities but missed them all and Jean-Claude Darcheville had the easiest of the lot but shot straight at Clyde keeper DavidHutton in 33 minutes from six yards.

There was a more balanced look to Rangers with Brahim Hemdani back into central midfield and Allan McGregor back in goal. Indeed, outwith Carlos Cuellar it was probably the strongest side Walter Smith has available.

McCulloch, playing in his more familiar left midfield role, was unlucky not score a minute into the second half when substitute keeper Peter Cherrie brilliantly pushed his right foot shot onto the bar.

A minute later Laudrup and Albertz left proceedings to a hearty reception - Numan having enjoyed a similar salute 11 minutes before half-time.

Their inclusion had guaranteed a healthy gate for Clyde which was great but Rangers had other things on their minds.

Boyd and Velicka replaced Miller and Darcheville up front on 60 minutes and Adam took over from Thomson in midfield.

But it still was not any easier for the Light Blues to overcome their First Division rivals.

They failed to really trouble Cherrie in the Clyde goal and, at the other end, McGregor had to be alert to smother a long range shot from McSwegan in 72 minutes.

In fairness, it was all the returning keeper had to deal with all night.

Finally Rangers made the breakthrough 11 minutes from time, although there was a large element of fortune about it.

Dailly, who had replaced Whittaker, had a long range shot blocked and the ball ran into the path of Adam.

He thundered a left foot shot and it struck Nacho Novo, more than anything else, before diverting past Cherrie, who was wrong-footed.

Naturally, the little striker claimed it.

Boyd threatened to score a second goal from a free kick situation but Cherrie made a decent save from his shot.

CLYDE: Hutton (Cherrie 45); Gibson, Brown, Higgins, Ohensorge; Kettlwell, McGregor, Albertz (MacLennan 47), Numan (Trouten 34); Laudrup (McSwegan 47), Clark (McGowan 65)

Subs nor used: Wilson, Connelly, Murch.

RANGERS: McGregor; Whittaker (Dailly 76), Weir, Broadfoot, Papac; Novo, Hemdani (Emslie 74), Thomson (Adam 60), McCulloch; Darcheville (Velicka 60), Miller (Boyd 60)

Subs not used: G. Smith, MacLachlan, Furman.

REF: Steven Nicholls