Rangers 1-0 Livingston: Scott Arfield goals earns leaders nervy win

Rangers maintained their four-point lead on the high of the Scottish Premiership after Scott Arfield’s objective earned a nervy win over Livingston.

But Arfield netted after coming off the bench and prolonged Rangers’ unbeaten run in all competitions to 21.

It was simply Livingston’s second defeat in seven video games.

And, though they continue to be ninth, each Dundee and bottom-club St Johnstone edged a degree nearer to them within the battle to keep away from relegation.

It was a giant evening for 18-year-old Alex Lowry, given his first begin for Rangers after scoring from the bench on his debut within the 4-0 Scottish Cup romp over Stirling Albion.

And {the teenager} impressed, being on the centre of every thing Rangers threw at Livingston within the first half.

He had the champions’ first probability of the match as Fashion Sakala teed him up on the sting of the field, however he shot straight at goalkeeper Max Stryjek.

Then Lowry picked out Scott Wright, whose goalbound shot beat the goalkeeper, however not Jack Fitzwater who had raced again to clear off the road.

Twice the twinkled-toed Lowry collected the ball out large and drove neat balls throughout the face of objective from each wings, however every time no-one in blue might take benefit.

Livingston have been giving a great account of themselves. Fitzwater met a nook with a downward header, however Allan McGregor saved it on the road. The visiting gamers raced to the referee to attraction for handball, however Don Robertson ignored their claims.

And Stryjek needed to pull off a implausible save on the different finish to disclaim the house facet when James Tavernier’s pushed cross discovered Sakala on the entrance publish, and the Polish goalkeeper obtained his legs to the ball to deflect it over the bar.

Sakala turned the principle man after the break as he took the sport by the scruff of the neck, however he was struggling so as to add the top product to his play.

A great flip and shot led to a simple save for Stryjek, then a driving run ahead was adopted by a shot that was at all times rising over the bar.

But Arfield eased Ibrox nerves when he lastly broke the impasse. Borna Barisic exchanged passes with Sakala, and chipped a ball to the veteran midfielder, who hooked it over the defence and into the far nook.

Ayo Obileye had a late probability for Livingston however could not join with a looping ball into the field as Rangers held on.

Man of the match – Fashion Sakala

What did we be taught?

January is proving to be a tricky month for Rangers, and after dropping factors at Aberdeen they almost squandered extra in opposition to Livingston as they struggled to chop the guests open.

But the efficiency of teenager Lowry will likely be one of many speaking factors among the many assist. The gifted midfielder went on the lookout for the ball from the primary whistle and was on the centre of a lot of their good play. He had a quieter second half however nonetheless confirmed flashes of what he might do.

Livingston will likely be annoyed to not have left with a degree. A Fitzwater header aside they did not create too many possibilities, however the performances of Obileye and Stephane Omeonga specifically have been positives.

What did they are saying?

Rangers supervisor Giovanni van Bronckhorst: “I’m very proud as a result of it was a tough recreation, very tough circumstances. I’m proud of the substitutes – Scott Arfield hadn’t performed for some time however he got here on and he modified the sport.

“We saved combating to win the sport, which we did, so the three factors for us are massive.”

Livingston supervisor David Martindale: “Did we deserve to come back away with three factors? Probably not. Were we a wee bit unfortunate to not get a degree? We most likely have been.

“I let the very fact [Ianis] Hagi, [Alfredo] Morelos, [Ryan] Kent and [Joe] Aribo have been out of the Rangers staff come into my pondering and I went a bit extra adventurous. I do not assume we prompted Rangers too many issues however our goalkeeper wasn’t that busy.”

What’s subsequent?

Rangers are away to Ross County within the Scottish Premiership on Saturday (12:30 GMT), whereas Livingston are at Hibernian later that day (15:00).