ALFREDO MORELOS’ strike three minutes from time saw Rangers claim another three fantastic Scottish Premiership points tonight.
The Light Blues again showed patience to break down a well-drilled, organised opponent, with Morelos grabbing the all-important goal so close to the end of the game.
Boss Steven Gerrard named two changes to his side from the team which so impressively defeated Royal Antwerp in the Europa League six days ago. Nathan Patterson came in for his first league start in place of the injured Leon Balogun, while Scott Arfield replaced Ianis Hagi.
The early stages, as they always seem to be at Almondvale, were extremely competitive with Livingston scrapping Rangers for every inch of the plastic surface – but chances in the opening encounters were at a premium.
Goalkeeper Max Stryjek made a fine, front-post block from Joe Aribo to prevent him squaring for Ryan Kent in the middle for a certain tap-in.
Fil Helander then towered superbly over Marvin Bartley in the area to get on the end of a fine Borna Barisic corner, but the Swede’s effort went just over the bar.
Alfredo Morelos was then shown a yellow card for simulation despite there being clear contact from goalkeeper Stryjek, while Scott Arfield had a strike from 12-yards slip just wide on the stretch.
Manager Steven Gerrard was shown two yellow cards by referee John Beaton as he made his way off at half-time for attempting to discuss the Morelos incident, meaning he was forced to watch the second half from the stand.
Into the second half, and Gers thought they had the lead when Connor Goldson rose to nod home a Barisic free-kick delivery, but the offside flag of the assistant referee went against him.
Jack Fitzwater then made a fine block on the edge of the area to prevent Ryan Kent surely finishing on the end of an Arfield through-ball.
Stryjek then denied Morelos with the Colombian having an effort from the edge of the area, before he flashed one across the face of goal after superbly muscling his way into a shooting position.
Morelos had another effort from a similar position which went wide, while he couldn’t turn home a Goldson header which almost dropped to him at the back post.
Stryjek collected an effort from Morelos from a Davis pass at the front post as Gers pushed for a winner in the last 10 minutes.
It looked as if it was all set to end in a goalless draw, but with three minutes left, Rangers sensationally hit the front.
The Light Blues worked it well with Glen Kamara finding Steven Davis inside the area for a shot – he got the effort away on target with Stryjek pushing it wide, but following in at the back post, thoroughly deservedly, was Alfredo Morelos to tap home his 14th of the season.
It sparked wild scenes among the Rangers players and substitutes with the Light Blues having shown wonderful character yet again to strike late and claim all three points.
RANGERS: McGregor, Patterson, Goldson, Helander, Barisic, Davis, Kamara, Arfield (Itten, 74), Kent (Zungu, 89), Aribo, Morelos.
SUBS NOT USED: McLaughlin, Bassey, Simpson, Hagi, Defoe, Wright, Stewart.
LIVINGSTON: Stryjek, Devlin, Fitzwater, Guthrie, Serrano, Sibbald, Mullin, Pittman, Bartley, Holt (Lawson, 67), Reilly (Robinson, 23, (Tiffoney, 76)).
SUBS NOT USED: Maley, Kabia, McMillan, Ambrose, Taylor-Sinclair, Forrest.
REFEREE: John Beaton
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