Gers’ fast start is costly for the Lions
Livingston’s unbeaten run ended at five as they lost 3-1 at home to defending champions Rangers.
The away side struck twice in the opening 16 minutes but a valiant Lions effort ensured it would be no walk in the park in new Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhort’s first league game in charge.
David Martindale named just one change to the side that had drawn away to St Mirren with Alan Forrest recalled at the expense of Andrew Shinnie.
One thing, no doubt, he emphasised was keeping things tight defensively in the opening stages so it would have been particularly disappointing that they were two down before proceedings were barely underway.
The visitors took the lead on eight minutes as Scott Arfield ghosted behind the back line and delicately looped the ball over Max Stryjek.
Rangers doubled their advantage in beautiful fashion on 16 minutes. Neat play down the left saw Ryan Kent feed
Alfredo Morelos, who in turn teed up Joe Aribo just inside the box before he swept the ball across goal and into the far corner off the underside of the crossbar.
This Livingston side isn’t one to throw in the towel, though, and it was game on just before the half hour mark.
Forrest raced onto a ball over the top from Nicky Devlin with McGregor pulling off a terrific save – only for Anderson to lunge forward and nod home.
The hosts were denied an equaliser three minutes before the break as Odin Bailey’s cross found Forrest at the back post. He appeared certain to find the net only for McGregor to produce a wonderful save to palm the winger’s effort over the bar and keep his side in front.
There was a delay to the start of the second half as Rangers fans pelted Stryjek with snowballs resulting in the penalty box needing cleared before play could resume.
Once the contest was back underway, the Polish keeper was called into action with saves from Ianis Hagi and Aribo.
After a frantic first half, the game somewhat petered out as Livi didn’t threaten an equaliser while Rangers struggled to break down an organised Lions defence.
Their resolve was broken 12 minutes from time, though, as substitute Fashion Sakala headed home to put the game beyond doubt.