Rangers bought off to a flyer within the Scottish Premiership with a late win over Livingston.
However gaffer Gio van Bronckhorst has warned his aspect they’ll must tighten up on the again forward of their important Champions League qualifier on Tuesday night time. Gers journey to Belgium for the primary leg in opposition to Professional-League runners up Union St-Gilloise on the again of a 2-1 victory in West Lothian.
After falling behind to an early Joel Nouble strike, second half objectives from Scott Arfield and skipper James Tavernier sealed a gap day three factors. Livi’s large front-man brought about van Bronckhorst’s males issues all afternoon, significantly new centre-back John Souttar. The Scotland defender was culpable for Nouble’s opener and was finally hooked within the second half. The Rangers boss was delighted to kick off the brand new marketing campaign with a win however says they can't concede a objective within the method they did going ahead.
Forward of the midweek Euro tie, Van Bronckhorst stated: “Ultimately, I”m actually pleased with the factors.
“However the begin of the sport wasn’t good from our aspect. We didn’t look sharp for the objective in opposition to us.
“It took us out of the sport and we didn’t play our regular recreation within the first half. We knew the hazard Livingston had with the large striker up entrance who could make it very tough.
“We stated to the gamers that we needed to be prepared for the lengthy balls and the duels. Once they have an extended ball, it can't be that we don’t have any participant making contact or making an attempt to win the duel.
“The complete-back gained the ball for his or her objective with none strain, which is unimaginable. The ball fell behind us so we weren’t ok in anticipating it.
“It was an important objective for his or her aspect nevertheless it ought to be unimaginable for us to provide that away. With the ball, we weren’t taking the appropriate positions or zones on the proper moments. However within the second half we did a lot better and created a whole lot of probabilities to attain.
“I’m pleased with the 2 objectives as a result of it means we've three important factors within the first recreation of the season. We modified it a bit bit at half-time, getting three gamers behind Antonio Colak to get into the field. The subs right this moment gave us the appropriate vitality on the proper moments.”
Gers kicked off their league marketing campaign with Jon McLaughlin in objectives at Almondvale and MailSport understands the Scotland keeper might be Gers No.1 this season. Allan McGregor, who signed a one-year deal in the summertime to increase his Ibrox keep, is known to have been instructed he’ll proceed to deputise for McLaughlin this season and can solely begin the home cup video games.
After the sport, Livingston boss Davie Martindale confessed that his aspect ought to most likely have been lowered to 10 males when Australian full-back twice upended Scott Wright. Referee Don Robertson failed to indicate a second yellow, which prompted Martindale to sub his debutant, in worry of a crimson.
Gers additionally had a Colak objective dominated out with a good offside name however van Bronckorst stated: “For the offside objective, after all with VAR the referee can have assist with it. And there was perhaps a second yellow card for them within the first half. However I can’t complain an excessive amount of as a result of we simply had to focus on our personal recreation, dig deep and win the sport.”
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