Rangers celebrated a commanding 3-0 victory against Livingston at Ibrox on Saturday, February 3rd, in a crucial match that not only showcased their dominance but also brought them within touching distance of the top spot in the Scottish Premiership. With Celtic dropping points earlier in the day, the win for Rangers cut the gap to just three points, with a game in hand still to be played.
The cold and windy afternoon in Govan didn’t deter the enthusiasm of the Rangers faithful, who were back at Ibrox after several weeks. The pitch was in excellent condition, providing the backdrop for an entertaining game refereed by John Beaton.
The trial of moving away fans to the Club Deck appeared successful, with Rangers fans filling the corner and the small traveling support accommodated without issues. The club will review this approach in the coming weeks, contemplating its regular use.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement rotated the squad for this game, surprising many with a less attacking lineup than anticipated. Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack, and Fabio Silva featured, with Nicolas Raskin, Cyriel Dessers and Ridvan Yilmaz dropping to the bench.
Ibrox Insider Livingston Team Prediction
Leon Balogun Sustains a Facial Injury
Leon Balogun’s early substitution due to a head injury raised concerns, with the manager Philippe Clement mentioning the possibility of a facial fracture. The medical team will assess the situation, leaving Balogun’s return with a potential face mask in the balance.
Fabio Silva Scores Rangers
Livingston, anchored at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, adopted a defensive approach, looking to stifle Rangers’ attacking moves. Despite their resilience, Rangers broke the deadlock in the 40th minute when Fabio Silva capitalised on a deflection from a corner, securing his first goal for the club.
Rabbi Matondo Frustrations, then he Scores!
The frustration of the fans towards Rabbi Matondo in the first half turned into jubilation as he redeemed himself with a powerful low strike, doubling Rangers’ lead just five minutes after Silva’s goal. Matondo displayed versatility in his play, causing confusion in the Livingston defence.
Todd Cantwell’s Best Game this Season
Todd Cantwell, enjoying a resurgence in form, scored the third goal on 56 minutes with a clinical finish after an excellent build-up. Cantwell’s performance reflected his growing influence on the team, contributing to Rangers’ recent success.
Debut for Oscar Cortes
The match also saw the introduction of new signing Oscar Cortes, who made an immediate impact with his positive play, showcasing the qualities that attracted Rangers to sign him. Diomande, another recent acquisition, missed the match due to recovering from a virus but was warmly introduced to the Rangers fans before kick-off.
Moments Towards End of Rangers v Livingston Game
Cyriel Dessers, who came on for Fabio Silva on 76 minutes, had a very good chance to score Rangers’ fourth goal, but he blasted the ball over the bar from 8 yards out, expressing frustration at the pitch. Moments later, Ridvan Yilmaz hit the bar with an outrageous lobbed shot, deserving credit for attempting a goal of the month contender.
Player Ratings
| Player | Rating |
| Jack Butland | 7 |
| James Tavernier | 8 |
| Connor Goldson | 7 |
| Leon Balogun | 6 |
| Borna Barisic | 6 |
| Ryan Jack | 7 |
| John Lundsram | 7 |
| Ross McCausland | 8 |
| Todd Cantwell | 9 |
| Rabbi Matondo | 7 |
| Fabio Silva | 8 |
Substitutions: John Souttar (7), Ridvan Yilmaz (7), Tom Lawrence (5), Oscar Cortes (6), Cyriel Dessers (5), Scott Wright (6)
Man of the Match
In a standout performance during the clash against Livingston, Todd Cantwell is the Ibrox Insiders man of the match. Cantwell’s contributions were nothing short of exceptional, he displayed remarkable ball control and creative flair. The highlight of the match came on the 56th minute when Cantwell netted a clinical finish, putting any hopes of a Livingston comeback completely out of sight. His involvement in the build-up play, exemplified by a perfectly curved pass leading to Ross McCausland’s contribution, further emphasised Cantwell’s influence on the game.
Fan Media – Vlog Highlights
he fan media coverage of the Rangers vs. Livingston game provided an unfiltered and genuine look into the match from the fans’ standpoint. In a vlog by Rangers Review with Joshua Barrie and Chris Jack, recorded inside Ibrox just after the final whistle, viewers can access a straightforward analysis of the game.
The video by cjnovo992 on YouTube adds a fan’s perspective, sharing personal views on the match. For those seeking a more grassroots and unembellished take on the game, the Rangers Review vlog and cjnovo992’s video offer a direct look into the fan experience.
Up Next
Rangers now turn their attention to the upcoming clash against Aberdeen, where a win could propel them to the top of the league temporarily. With a game in hand scheduled for Valentine’s Day, the momentum is building for Rangers as they aim to reclaim the Scottish Premiership title.
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