Rangers? strikers Kris Boyd and Dado Prso bagged two goals each as Rangers sank a stubborn Livingston side today.
Alex McLeish brought Fernando Ricksen back into the side after two weeks out and played him at right-back allowing Ian Murray to slot back into his left-back slot. Steven Smith who had started the last few games had to settle for a place on the bench.
That was the only change from last week’s game against Motherwell so the team lined up: Waterreus, Ricksen, Kyrgiakos, Andrews, Murray, Burke, Malcolm, Ferguson, Buffel, Lovenkrands, Boyd.
Kris Boyd got the Gers off to a perfect start with a goal after only eight minutes, he pounced on a rebounded Lovenkrands shot from seven yards out.
Lovenkrands looked lively earlier on and already tested Livingston keeper Roddie McKenzie in the first few minutes before the goal. He then shot wildly past the post when it looked easier to score.
Thomas Buffel got in on the act as well and had a great shot superbly saved by McKenzie.
Lovenkrands continued to be a threat when the second half started and he had a header go just over the bar early on in the half.
Livingston then came into the game a lot more and had great chances through Paul Dalglish and Wes Hoolahan before they got a shock equaliser in the 52nd minute after Vincze burst through the Rangers defence all too easily and slid the ball past Ronald Waterreus.
Rangers attacked Livingston immediately to cancel out the equaliser and they almost got the second after Lovenkrands long range shot but it was touched away by McKenzie.
Gers didn’t wait too long though until they regained the lead, it was four minutes after the equaliser in fact and again it was goal machine Kris Boyd who got the vital goal.
Buffel played him in with a reverse pass and the new striker proved he had an eye for goal by slotting it in for his second of the game.
Livingston weren’t for giving up though and it was clear Rangers needed another goal to kill them off. Goalscorer Vincze came close again with a header.
Buffel had a chance to get that goal they needed but the Belgian hit the ball over the bar after he was set up by Prso who had came on as a sub for Lovenkrands.
The big Croatian was to make an impact though and the big man hit home a superb free-kick from the edge of the box to give Rangers a two goal cushion with one minute remaining.
Prso got his and Rangers’ second almost instantly when he fired a low drive into the net to make it 4-1.
Rangers were the better team but Livingston will feel unlucky to have lost by this scoreline as they put up a good fight.
Rangers: Waterreus, Ricksen, Andrews, Kyrgiakos (Smith 45), Murray, Burke, Malcolm, Ferguson, Buffel, Kris Boyd (Novo 80), Lovenkrands (Prso 63).
Subs Not Used: Klos, Hemdani, Hutton, Lowing.
Livingston: McKenzie, Mackay, Tierney, Pinxten, Strong, McNamee (Walker 68), Brittain, Vincze, Hoolahan (Dair 86), Dalglish (Snodgrass 72), Hislop.
Subs Not Used: Roy, Scott, Boyd, Dorrans.
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