LIONS TAMED BY RANGERS
Aribo and Defoe lift Ibrox men six points clear of rivals
ALL Rangers can do, and all they must do, right now is focus on themselves and take care of their own business. Once again, it was job done at Ibrox.
It is only natural that supporters will glance across the city and keep an eye on the fortunes of Celtic, but Steven Gerrard and his players can only influence their own performances and results. While news of their Old Firm rivals dropping points at Aberdeen would have been welcomed, it would have been irrelevant if Rangers had then done likewise against Livingston.
They did not make that mistake and their reward is a six- point advantage in the Premiership after this victory. Goals from Joe Aribo and Jermain Defoe were enough to win it, but once again the frustration will be that the margin was not greater on a day where Rangers could really have hammered home their advantage at the top of the table.
Rangers know all too well just how quicky momentum can be lost in a title race. They have suffered that fate in the last two seasons and that is why Gerrard continues to emphasise the messages designed to ensure that error is not made once again.
It was Livingston that ensured Rangers tripped up for the first time this term in August, but Gary Holt’s side never looked like repeating the feat here. The unbeaten start to the campaign continues for Gerrard’s side, and so does their perfect home run this season.
There is a professionalism about the way in which the men from Ibrox are operating at present and this was another such outing to add to an ever- growing list. On a day where there was perhaps an even greater pressure and expectancy, Rangers did not let the opportunity pass them by as they added another win to their tally in comfortable fashion.
It took them less than 10 minutes to break the deadlock and the game was all but over as a contest after a quarter- ofanhour. Gerrard had tweaked his starting line- up, but there was no alteration in the way in which Rangers went about their business and the early goals that are so important in matches like this ensured it would not be a fraught afternoon.
The last time Aribo started for Rangers – in the win over St Johnstone here in August – he marked the occasion with a goal. On his return to Ibrox after an injury lay- off, he did the same.
Ianis Hagi was integral to the move as a lovely through ball sent Defoe clear but keeper Max Stryjek was equal to his low effort. With the ball free, Hagi reacted quickest, picked out Aribo and the midfielder made no mistake from close range to give Rangers the lead.
It was an advantage that was soon doubled. The assist this time was even better as James Tavernier floated a terrific long ball over the top of the Livingston defence.
The result is all that really mattered for Rangers
There was still plenty for Defoe to do, but he did it with typical class as he scored his 300th goal at club level. The first- time finish left Stryjek stranded to the spot and Rangers were well on their way to victory as the veteran forward proved why he can still have a significant part to play.
The task now was to get another one just to make sure, but it didn’t arrive before the break as Stryjek comfortably held two low efforts from Ryan Jack. Indeed, it was Livingston that could have had the third of the afternoon as Connor Goldson flicked a cross from Julien Serrano off the post.
It was hard to see Livingston making the kind of comeback that would deny Rangers victory, yet Gerrard undoubtedly needed more from his side. They had burst out of the traps in the first half, but the start to the second was certainly more sedate as they moved the ball without any real purpose and a game that held so much promise early on became something of a nonevent for large spells.
A smart save from Allan McGregor to deny Josh Mullin was a reminder of Livi’s attacking threat and the introduction of Kemar Roofe, and later Cedric Itten and Scott Arfield, were signs the Ibrox boss was searching for a spark in the final third.
The second- half slackness will undoubtedly irritate Gerrard but the result was what really mattered for Rangers as they extended their advantage in the Premiership.
Right now, they just need to keep taking care of business.