Livi dig in deep to frustrate Rangers
Livingston were without Dykes as he prepared to finalise his £2million move to English Championship side Queens Park Rangers. That meant a start for youngster Jack Hamilton in the lone striker role.
Elsewhere, there were debuts for goalkeeper Max Stryjek and former Ibrox midfielder Jason Holt. Full-backs Nicky Devlin and Jack McMillan also earned starting berths.
The game quickly settled into the predicted pattern of Rangers enjoying plenty of the possession and territory, but a strong defensive effort kept the visitors at bay.
Ianis Hagi had the game’s first chance on 14 minutes but dragged his strike from 20 yards wide of Stryjek’s right-hand post.
Alfredo Morelos barely saw the ball as the Lions defended in numbers, but the Colombian may well feel he should have done better on 33 minutes when he could only direct his effort into the side-netting under pressure from Jack Fitzwater.
It wasn’t until the 54th minute that the Polish keeper was called into action, to punch away a Ryan Kent strike. The winger cut in from the left but fired straight at the former Eastleigh stopper.
A frustrating afternoon for Morelos was summed up in the 70th minute when he harmlessly nodded a pinpoint James Tavernier cross over bar. It would be his final action as he was replaced by Cedric Itten.
Having offered nothing in an attacking sense all game, Livi went close to taking an 84th-minute lead in stunning fashion.
Ten yards inside his own half, Craig Sibbald spotted Jon McLaughlin off the line and attempted an audacious strike with the Scotland keeper getting back just in time to prevent a disaster.
Within a minute, Rangers thought they had the three points in the bag as Barisic’s curling free- kick from 25 yards looked destined for the top corner – only for Stryjek to miraculously turn the ball out for a corner, clattering into the post for good measure.
Kent then had the final chance of the game as he raced through the defence before a neat one-two but his strike went agonisingly wide as the Gers dropped their first points of the season.
A delighted Gary Holt paid tribute to his players, saying: “The game plan and shape of the team was excellent. You’d like us to be a bit better with the ball but Rangers don’t give you the opportunity.
“I can’t fault them for work-rate and desire, with that willingness to put their bodies in where it hurts.
“Rangers are an exceptional side, they have attacking players with real flair, but it was about doing our jobs.”
He added: “Max was superb. We want Robby on his toes and that’s what we we will have. He’ll need to be with Max there.”
Sibbald, meanwhile, admitted it was far from easy on the eye but a valuable point on the board.
He said: “It wasn’t that pretty from us but it was a good graft and a good point – we are delighted to get a point.
“We all worked hard and we knew it was going to be a shift. We are all buzzing with the point.
“Hopefully we can get a win on the board next week.”