Rangers 3-0 Livingston

Rangers 3-0 Livingston

IT was a positive afternoon at Ibrox as Rangers picked-up three points in the Scottish Premiership with a 3-0 victory over Livingston.

Fabio Silva opened the scoring with his first goal for the club, before Rabbi Matondo and Todd Cantwell also found the target in the dominant victory. 

From last weekend’s 1-0 victory over St Mirren, there were six changes to the starting line-up in the first home competitive match since the start of the month.

Leon Balogun, Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack, Rabbi Matondo, Ross McCausland and Fabio Silva all come into the line-up with John Souttar, Ridvan, Nico Raskin, Scott Wright and Cyriel Dessers named on the bench, while Dujon Sterling was out injured.  

That means Rangers started at Ibrox with Jack Butland in goal and a back four of James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Leon Balogun and Borna Barisic. 

Ryan Jack came into midfield alongside John Lundstram and Todd Cantwell, while it was a completely changed front three with Matondo, McCausland and Silva providing the attack.

New signing Oscar Cortes was named in the matchday squad for the first time, with fellow January addition Mohamed Diomande took to the pitch to a warm applause ahead of the match.

It was Rangers who got the action underway at Ibrox and straight from the kick-off looked to launch an attack with McCausland driving down the right but his cross was gathered by Shamal George. 

George was called into action again with less than five minutes gone as he pushed wide a Ryan Jack strike, before Rabbi Matondo looped a shot just over the bar. 

The Light Blues were dominating as Borna Barisic whipped a good ball into the box which George was unable to hold, however Todd Cantwell couldn’t capitalise as Livingston cleared for a corner.

Manager Philippe Clement was forced into an early change with 20 minutes gone as Leon Balogun took a knock to the head as he rose for the ball and was replaced by John Souttar.

Gers were trying to break down a stubborn defence as Ross McCausland flashed a right-footed shot just wide before Matondo struck over from a Todd Cantwell pass. 

As the game approached halft-time, Rangers were able to find the breakthrough they needed and it was Fabio Silva with his first goal for the club. 

It was from a corner which was delivered into the box with Connor Goldson getting a touch to direct it into a dangerous position and the on-loan Wolves forward was on hand with a good finish to send it beyond George.

The advantage was doubled shortly after as Borna Barisic played in Rabbi Matondo on the left. The winger drove into the box, cutting inside before releasing a strike at goal which took a slight deflection but curled beyond George and nestled in the back of the net. 

Into the second-half Rangers continued to push for more and on the 55th minute it was 3-0 to the home side. It was a lovely move as Todd Cantwell and Ross McCausland linked up well with the former playing the ball out to McCausland on the right. 

The winger then found the return for Cantwell, who had continued his run into the box, andf slotted a composed finish beyond Shamal George.

Oscar Cortes was introduced for his Rangers debut as he came on alongside Ridvan and Tom Lawrence with Rabbi Matondo, Ryan Jack and Ridvan coming off. 

John Souttar headed over a James Tavernier corner, before Geroge pulled off a great save to deny Ross McCausland a goal as he blocked his low strike with his feet. 

Cortes was straight into the action and did well down the left to beat the defender beore picking out Silva who struck first time but it was just wide of the target. 

A final two changes for Rangers saw Cyriel Dessers and Scott Wright introduced for Ross McCausland and Fabio Silva. 

Dessers almost had a fourth for Rangers after another good bit of build-up play as Todd Cantwell and Scott Wright combined with Wright delivering into the box but the striker’s shot was high of the target.

Rivan was denied by the crossbar with a spectacular effort from distance from the left-back but it looped onto the post before being cleared.

RANGERS: Butland, Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun (Souttar, 22) Barisic (Ridvan, 61), Lundstram, Jack (Lawrence, 61), Cantwell, Matondo (Cortes, 61), McCausland (Wright, 76), Silva (Dessers, 76).

Subs: McCrorie, King, Raskin. 

Livingston: George, Donnellan (Nottingham, 72), Carson (Stephen Kelly, 71), Obileye, Pittman, Brandon, Holt, Nouble (Anderson, 46), Sangare (Bradley, 72), Shinnie (Mackay, 59), Penrice (Sean Kelly, 46).

Subs: McGovern, Yengi, Lawal.