Memories of the dramatic final day of last season were still fresh and David Murray completed the 51st title celebrations by unveiling the championship flag before kick off.
With that momentous achievement now consigned to the history books the Light Blues set about retaining their crown and certainly enjoyed themselves in the sunshine.
McLeish opted for his trusty partnership of Dado Prso and Nacho Novo upfront and in the fifth minute they linked well to carve out Gers’ first chance of the match.
Having picked up the ball in midfield, the Croatian played in Novo on the left but there were no takers for his fine whipped cross in the Livi box.
Prso was provider again six minutes later this time teeing up Barry Ferguson at the edge of the box but the skipper screwed his shot wide of Roddy McKenzie’s goal.
In Paul Lambert’s first competitive match as a manager Livingston, who only just avoided relegation last term, looked organised and Dubravko Tesevic almost silenced Ibrox with a fierce 35-yard drive.
Thankfully it fizzed past Waterreus’ post, although the Dutchman had it covered just in case.
With quarter of an hour gone Gers should have taken the lead when McKenzie spilled Novo’s cross from the right, Livi defender Harald Pinxten reacted quickest though to clear the danger for a corner.
But the Light Blue faithful didn’t have to wait too much longer for the first goal of the new campaign and it came from a familiar source – Dado Prso.
Peter Lovenkrands, who looked sharp throughout, did well to carve out the chance and it was his initial cross that caused confusion in the Livi box.
Prso chested down the Dane’s ball and although Dorado cleared, it was only as far as Alex Rae.
The midfielder then drilled a shot goal-bound, which was acrobatically saved by McKenzie and Prso pounced on the rebound to smash the ball home.
Novo, who is still searching for peak fitness following his hernia operation, then came within inches of doubling Gers lead on two occasions but just failed to connect each time.
Jose-Pierre Fanfan showed his eye for a pass in the 38th minute when he split the Livi defence with an excellent through ball but McKenzie won his race with Novo and collected easily.
Two minutes before the break Barry Ferguson sent Buffel through on goal but the Belgian playmaker blasted his drive high over the bar.
The interval didn’t seem to interrupt Gers’ momentum and immediately after the restart Prso curled a shot just past McKenzie’s left post.
In the 51st minute Peter Lovenkrands, who was now operating on the right flank, had a fine volley blocked and from the resulting corner Jose Pierre Fanfan stabbed the ball past McKenzie at the back post to make it 2-0.
Just after the hour mark Pistol Pete produced some more fine play when he beat several Livi defenders on a mazy run and McKenzie was called into action again to block his effort.
The match hit a sour point in the 74th minute when Richard Brittan was rightly given a straight red card for a shocking tackle on Ian Murray. Thankfully the former Hibs man saw it coming and managed to avoid injury.
Steven Thompson came on and should have opened his account for the new season when he broke clear through on goal but McKenzie read it well and saved at the striker’s feet.
But the Light Blues didn’t give up and Peter Lovenkrands deservedly bagged the third goal in the 92nd minute. He cut inside from the left and drilled a low shot into the net to take Gers top of the league.
Again!
RANGERS: Waterreus; Ricksen, Andrews, Fanfan, Murray; Novo (Adam 84), Ferguson (c), Rae, Lovenkrands; Prso (Thompson 63), Buffel (McCormack 70)
Subs: Klos, Malcolm, Smith, Adam, Burke
Bookings: none
LIVINGSTON: McKenzie, McKay, Pinxten, Dorado, Tesevic, Adams, Scott (Pereira 56), Walker (McLaughlin 67), Tierney, McPake (Snodgrass 56), Brittain
Subs: Roy, Strong, Adam, Dorrans
Bookings: Walker 4, Pereira 70
Red cards: Brittan 74
Key Man: Dado Prso