James Tavernier missed a penalty and scored another as Rangers maintained their encouraging start under Philippe Clement with a comfortable 2-0 win away to struggling Livingston on Sunday.
Cyriel Dessers set the Ibrox men on their way to victory in the first half with his sixth goal of the season before captain Tavernier sealed the points with a second-half spot-kick after he had sent his earlier attempt from 12 yards out wide of the post.
Clement has now overseen seven games unbeaten – six of which have brought victories – since replacing Michael Beale last month.
After four consecutive defeats left his side bottom of the table prior to the visit of the on-form Ibrox men, Livi boss David Martindale made five changes to the team that lost 1-0 to Dundee last Sunday.
Goalkeeper Jack Hamilton, Miles Welch-Hayes, Jason Holt, Danny Lloyd and Stephen Kelly all dropped out to make way for Shamal George, Cristian Montano, Mo Sangare, Bruce Anderson and Luiyi de Lucas.
Clement freshened up his Rangers team for the trip to West Lothian, making four alterations to the XI that started Thursday night’s 2-1 win at home to Sparta Prague in the Europa League.
Ben Davies, Todd Cantwell, Sam Lammers and Danilo dropped out to be replaced by Leon Balogun, Dessers, Tom Lawrence and Ross McCausland, who was handed his first Gers start.
After enjoying a bright opening, the Ibrox side thought they had gone ahead in the 16th minute when Connor Goldson had the ball in the net from close range.
However, the goal was ruled out following a VAR check after Dessers was deemed to have been offside and interfering with play as he darted in at the near post and tried to get a touch on Tavernier’s inswinging free-kick. The wrong-footed Livi keeper George then pushed the ball out to Balogun, who in turn nodded it into the path of fellow centre-back Goldson.
Rangers created a good opening with a rapid counter-attack three minutes later but McCausland shot over after bursting on to a Lawrence pass.
The 20-year-old winger’s pace caused more problems for the Lions midway through the first half when he won a penalty after being brought down by George as he ran on to a Tavernier pass.
Tavernier, however, sent his spot kick wide of the goalkeeper’s left-hand post.
Rangers had been well on top and they made a deserved breakthrough in the 26th minute when a lovely pass from Lawrence released Nigerian forward Dessers, who got away from Sean Kelly to slot the ball behind the advancing George.
McCausland thought he had scored his first senior goal for Rangers when he fired the ball high into the net just before half-time but the goal was disallowed for a foul by Abdallah Sima.
Rangers continued to dominate after the break but – after struggling to create many clear chances – they had to wait until the 74th minute to put the game beyond their hosts.
Following a VAR check, it was deemed that the ball struck the arm of Michael Devlin as the Livi captain challenged Rangers forwards Danilo and Sima in the air while trying to defend a cross from the left from Borna Barisic.
This time Tavernier made no mistake in tucking the ball to the right of the helpless George as Rangers continued their strong start to Clement’s reign and left Livi at the foot of the table on goal difference from Ross County.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Thomas Partey outChristian Norgaard inThat's a quick replacement. That time N'Golo Kante was late for France training lolSomeone told me l look like Cole Palmer once and l haven't been able to sleep at night since lol I choose not to say anything. Reasons you should join Man United…Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: J...
Alejandro Garnacho has struggled for game time under Ruben AmorimAlejandro Garnacho's controversial decision to wear an Aston Villa shirt bearing Marcus Rashford's name has reinforced Manchester United's desire to sell him.While United have not commented publicly on Garnacho's contentious move, which saw him post on social media a picture of him in the shirt, sources say the stunt has only served ...
Manchester United are closing in on a deal for Bryan Mbeumo after a breakthrough in talks with Brentford, sources have told ESPN.United have made signing the Cameroon international their priority in recent weeks before they move onto other targets.Sources have told ESPN that the basics of an agreement for the 25-year-old are in place, with negotiations now focusing on add-ons and the structure of ...
Manchester United are eyeing a move for Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor to bolster their goalkeeping options, sources have told Football Insider.United have held a long-term interest in Victor and scouts have been watching him at this summer's Club World Cup.The 29-year-old has impressed again for Botafogo in the tournament, keeping a clean sheet in their win over European Champions PSG, and in th...
Laporta confirms Fati will join MonacoBarcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that Blaugrana flop Ansu Fati will join Ligue 1 giants AS Monaco this week.Speaking to reporters, the Barca chief said: "If everything goes well this week, we could have very good news for Ansu Fati, he's set to join AS Monaco."Liverpool appoint ex-Wales manager as new Under-21s bossLiverpool have appointed former...
Real Madrid CF v Real Sociedad - La Liga EA SportsKylian Mbappe has returned to Real Madrid team training ahead of their next Club World Cup match after being hospitalised with gastroenteritis.WHAT HAPPENED?Mbabppe has returned to full Real Madrid team training after his spell in hospital with gastroenteritis. The former Paris Saint-Germain star missed Los Blancos' first two matches at the Club Wo...
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Brentford FC - Premier LeagueManchester United are close to finalising Bryan Mbeumo's transfer from Brentford. The two clubs have already agreed on the initial transfer fee and are now negotiating the add-ons that could take the overall amount of the transfer close to Brentford's £65 million ($87m) valuation of the player. The Bees expect to finalise the details o...
Christian Norgaard Arsenal 2025Arsenal have agreed an €11 million (£9m/$13m) deal to sign Christian Norgaard from Brentford, per Fabrizio Romano. WHAT HAPPENED?Arsenal are keen to strengthen their central midfield options and have agreed a deal to sign Brentford's Norgaard as a midfield reinforcement. Jorginho has already confirmed his exit from the Emirates Stadium, while no new contra...
SL Benfica v FC Bayern München: Group C - FIFA Club World Cup 2025Veteran Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller dismissed complaints on excessive heat at the Club World Cup as he cited himself as an example, while stressing that professional footballers must adapt to all conditions. The German forward also dropped a hint on a possible move to the Major League Soccer once his Bayern Munich contr...
FBL-EURO-U21-ENG-NEDLiverpool fans believe Harvey Elliott has increased his value ahead of a potential move to Brighton after scoring twice for England's Under-21s.WHAT HAPPENED?Elliott scored twice in the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championship, as England beat the Netherlands 2-1. The Liverpool ace's first goal was a fine drive but his second was superb, as he slalomed through the Dutc...
- 1 Gareth Bale set to buy former PL club
- 2 'He felt honored' - Marcelo Gallardo confirms he approached Cristiano Ronaldo about playing for River Plate at the Club World Cup
- 3 Samson Tijani: Nigeria star joins Dukla Prague from RB Salzburg
- 4 Diletta Leotta sizzles in tiny bikini on inflatable flamingo
- 5 Seattle Sounders vs PSG Prediction 24 June 2025
- 6 Man United close in on Bryan Mbeumo
- 7 Ex-Ajax star Promes extradited to Netherlands to serve jail term
- 8 Man Utd close in on Bryan Mbeumo! Red Devils agree £60m+ fee with Brentford as Premier League rivals iron out final transfer details
- 9 Salzburg vs Real Madrid Prediction 27 June 2025
- 10 Real Madrid reveal target as Zubimendi joins Arsenal