Rangers secured their fourth consecutive victory in the Scottish Premiership under head coach Danny Rohl, defeating Livingston in a match filled with controversy. The encounter saw Mohamed Diomande score a late winner that was first flagged offside but later confirmed after a VAR review. This result extended Livingston’s winless streak in the league to 11 matches.
Match Overview: Rangers vs Livingston
The match took place at Ibrox, where Rangers aimed to close the gap on league leaders Hearts. The Ibrox side achieved this, moving within nine points of the top after playing the same number of matches as Hearts. Meanwhile, Livingston remains just one point above Dundee at the bottom of the league table, with only one win this season.
Key Events
- Early Goal: Emmanuel Fernandez opened the scoring for Rangers with a powerful header.
- Equalizer: Tete Yengi scored his first goal of the season, leveling the match shortly after.
- Controversial Decisions: Yengi was denied a penalty after a close-range shot deflected off Fernandez’s arm; VAR ruled it was unintentional.
- Winning Moment: Diomande netted a late winner, triggering protests from the Livingston side regarding the earlier foul on their goalkeeper.
Tactical Insights
Rangers faced challenges fielding their squad, with injuries impacting their lineup. John Souttar and Derek Cornelius were sidelined, leading to a centre-back pairing of Nasser Djiga and Emmanuel Fernandez. Fernandez’s presence proved decisive, as he found the net early in the game.
Livingston’s Challenge
Livingston fought valiantly throughout the match. Yengi’s pace troubled the Rangers defense, and he came close to scoring again after a strong run. The visitors maintained pressure and created several chances, notably with attempts from Djeidi Gassama and Yengi, who had a superb effort saved by Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland.
Post-Match Reactions
Coach Danny Rohl expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance and improvement in confidence. In contrast, Livingston’s coach David Martindale voiced his disagreement with the key decisions that influenced the outcome, particularly concerning the VAR rulings.
This victory not only boosts Rangers’ position in the league but also leaves Livingston in a precarious situation as they continue to search for a turnaround in form. The match underscored the intensity and unpredictability of the Scottish Premiership.
