Livingston 1-2 Rangers

Sylla (68′)                           Tavernier (23′) Aarons (90+4′)

Russell Martin’s Rangers left it late at The Set Fare Arena to win their first league game of the Scottish Premiership season.

Livingston looked dangerous in the opening exchanges, but Jack Butland blocked Stevie May’s right-footed shot and saved Lewis Smith’s curling strike as the home side searched for the opener.

After the early pressure, Russell Martin’s side established better control of the game. Bojan Miovski collected a delicate Nicolas Raskin touch, but the Macedonian striker blazed his strike into the visiting support.

Rangers took the lead after 23 minutes. Djeidi Gassama’s deep cross was kept alive by Oliver Antman at the back post for captain James Tavernier to volley home.

Tavernier had a chance to double the lead from the penalty spot moments later, but Jerome Prior was up to the challenge, saving low to his right.

Connor Barron looked an assured presence in the heart of the Rangers midfield, and almost added a third with a low drive. Prior pulled a terrific low save to keep the score at one.

Prior continued to keep Livingston alive, this time diverting a Miovski volley onto the crossbar after Tavernier’s corner on 41 minutes.

Derek Cornelius thought he had doubled Rangers on the stroke of halftime after bundling home Tavernier’s free kick. VAR rightly disallowed the goal as the Canadian defender had controlled the ball with his right arm, and was offside.

Despite some early scares and a slender advantage, Rangers had produced an improved performance in the first half.

Davie Martindale’s last home victory over Rangers came in 2018, and his side started the second period with endeavour. May raced clear of the defence and collided with Souttar in the box, but referee John Beaton quickly waved off the home side’s penalty shout.

May was involved again after 63 minutes, collecting Adam Montgomery’s backheel, and firing a fierce strike at Butland in goal.

They equalised after 68 minutes, Mo Sylla powered home an inswinging cross, which was thoroughly deserved for Martindale’s boys. Livingston continued to probe on the counterattack but didn’t threaten Butland’s goal any further.

Rangers won the game in the 94th minute. Tavernier’s cross dropped to substitute Max Aarons, who drilled a low shot into the corner. The goal sent Russell Martin and the large contingent of travelling fans into a frenzy.

Rangers return to Europa League action in Austria against Sturm Graz on Thursday evening, and Livingston travel to Tannadice to face Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United.

Livingston: Prior 7 Findlayson 6 Wilson 6 Montgomery 6 Pittman 6 Tait 6 Sylla 6 Susoho 6 Winter 6 May 6

Substitutes: McLennan 5 Blaney 6 Bokoli 5 Carey Yengi

Rangers: Butland 6 Tavernier 6 Cornelius 6 Souttar 6 Meghoma 6 Barron 7 Raskin 7 Aasgaard 5 Antman 5 Gassama 7 Miovski 6

Substitutes: Chermiti 6 Aarons 6 Rothwell 6 Bajrami Moore