A LATE John Lundstrum goal salvaged a draw for Rangers on a day where Livingston impressed. Here are some of the on-the-whistle talking points.
LURCHING TO THE LEFT
JAMES Tavernier is not - Rangers have been at pains to point out - injured. Any suggestions he is are wide of the mark, we’re told. Taking that at face value means we can only conclude he’s just out of form. Gone are the runs and the quality of last season, replaced, instead, by hesitant shuffles and prods in the general direction of the opponents’ goal. His drop in performances - and the lack of any real consistency ahead of him (today, Giovanni van Bronckhorst opted for soon to be 34-year-old Scott Arfield from the start) - has basically rendered the right hand side a non-attacking entity, forcing Rangers time and time to the left; which isn’t exactly setting the heather on fire either.
MIDFIELD MISERY
All across Rangers’ midfield today, there were players struggling to find their spark. Ryan Kent showed his usual flashes that didn’t amount to much until a late assist; Arfield ran about a lot without ever really making much headway; while Lundstrum recycled the ball neatly enough. But, just as it had been against Championship Dundee during the week, it was all done with the same pace as a village librarian enjoying a cup of tea. In fact, the midfield that looked full of energy was that of the visitors. Stephen Kelly - impressive again for the Lions - was deemed surplus to requirements in the summer by van Bronckorst; right now that seems hard to justify.
NOUBLE’S VENDETTA
A total of 66 per cent of Joel Nouble’s Livingston goals have come against Rangers. That stat is slightly less eye-catching when you consider the fact he has scored just three times since arriving in West Lothian. But there’s no doubting he has that intoxicating potion of strength, speed and technical ability that so often has defenders desperately looking around for back up. His finish, inside the first 15 minutes, was superb. There’s a player in there, no doubt, maybe just two thirds of one. If he had that final piece of the jigsaw, he’d be playing well above Livi.
