Rangers 3 Livingston 0: Hagi, Wright and Roofe goals get defending champions off to winning start

RANGERS kicked off their Premiership defence with a comfortable Ibrox win over Livingston.

Steven Gerrard’s men also earned a club record TWENTIETH home league win in succession in the Scottish Premiership.

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Steven Gerrard

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Ianis Hagi

The Gers boss’ car was mobbed by supporters before the game as he made his way to the ground.

That welcome seemed to inspire the team as they started the game at break-neck speed.

Skipper James Tavernier signalling his intent again this year with a flashing shot over the bar inside the opening couple of minutes.

And the early pressure was rewarded. Tavernier’s cross from the right picking out Hagi at the back post in room. He feigned a shot before ducking inside two Livi sliding defenders and firing a right footed strike into the top corner.

Ibrox was rocking and it looked like Gers would kick on from there.

THE VERDICT – By Robert Grieve

RANGERS: McLaughlin 5, Tavernier 7, Goldson 7, Balogun 7, Bassey 7, Aribo 7, Davis 7, Kamara 7, Hagi 3, Sakala  6, Kent 6

SUBS: Wright (Hagi, 32) 7, Lundstram (Aribo, 64) 4, Roofe (Sakala, 71) 4

LIVINGSTON: Stryjek 6, Lewis 4, Fitzwater 6, Obileye 6, McMillan 6, Holt 6, Sibbald 5, Pittman 6, Penrice 6, Forrest 6, Anderson 5

SUBS: Kabia  (Lewis, 55) 1, Devlin (Sibbald, 64) 2, Hamilton (Anderson, 68) 2

MAN OF THE MATCH

Scott Wright didn’t start the match but he made a fantastic impact when he replaced injured Ianis Hagi after 32 minutes. The attacker was full of running and energy as he did everything he could to impress boss Steven Gerrard. His goal sealed the victory and what a strike it was. The ex-Aberdeen star hit the net with an outstanding shot with the outside of his right boot.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

John Beaton dished out an early booking for Livi’s on-loan Liverpool winger Adam Lewis that he could have absolutely no complaints about. But Alan Forrest was next to go into the book with a yellow card which was harsh. Whistler seemed to miss a late kick from Nicky Devlin on Calvin Bassey as he lay on the deck. Had he seen the incident – which enraged the Rangers man – he may well have flashed a red card.

MEN IN THE DUGOUT

Steven Gerrard opted to play Jon McLaughlin in goals and rest Allan McGregor ahead of this week’s Champions League qualifier with Malmo. But he could have played in goals himself given how little threat Livi posed. Davie Martindale set his team up to press Rangers but that was easier said than done. The Livi boss was also left disappointed by the way his side defended for the crucial opening goal.

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Tavernier’s next cross was a couple of minutes after. It controlled superbly by Aribo who scuffed a shot into the ground that was heading for the corner, Stryjek with an important save.

Just a minute later, Ryan Kent latched onto a clever Fashion Sakala flick on halfway and drove 35 yards before having a strike from distance, deflecting into Stryjek’s hands.

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Adam Lewis, who would later go off with injury himself, wiped Hagi out on the touchline to pick up a yellow card.

The Romanian tried to run off a slight knock before he was subbed on the half hour mark for Scott Wright. He will be a doubt for Tuesday’s crunch Champions League tie against Malmo.

It wasn’t until after the break that Livi had their first half-decent opening. A free kick on the left for Alan Forrest to deliver but it was well overhit and away for a goal kick. Much to David Martindale’s frustration.

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Wright had a volley on the edge of the box flashed over after good link-up between Davis and Kent before Kent himself had a tame side-foot attempt saved from just inside the area.

Jack Hamilton replaced Bruce Anderson midway inside the second-half and made an immediate impact, shrugging off Goldson before striking from 25 yards. It rolled tamely wide.

Wright then came close with a header from a Bassey cross that looped towards the corner. Stryjek with a save for the TV cameras as he launched himself to his left.

But Wright did get his goal with a little over 10 minutes to play.

Kent danced on the penalty spot in possession before seeing his goalbound strike deflect into the air. Tavernier jumped to flick the header on towards Wright and the winger curled a fabulous strike into the far corner with the outside of his foot.

Substitute Jaze Kabia then limped off after a challenge from Glen Kamara. With the Lions already making three subs, they were forced to play to the remaining 10 minutes with 10 men.

And there was enough time for Rangers to add a third as Kemar Roofe capitalised on some static defending to knock home unchallenged from six yards.

The visitors frustrating day on show from Nicky Devlin who had a late kick out at Calvin Bassey.

Livingston’s fifth yellow card of the afternoon – and probably lucky it was just that.

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Rangers fans gather with flares and smoke bombs at Ibrox as they mob stars ahead of title defence