Rangers salvaged a point against 10-men Livingston but it did little to ease the mounting pressure on boss Gio van Bronckhorst.
John Lundstram struck in stoppage time to cancel out Joel Nouble’s fourth minute opener and at least get something out of another toiling performance from the Light Blues. Livi looked set to hold out with a heroic defensive performance as Gers struggled to produce much quality in the final third.
The Lions saw sub Morgan Bryce sent off with 13 minutes to go – after just two minutes on the pitch – after his yellow card for a rash tackle on Rabbi Matondo was turned into a red following a VAR check. Lundtram got the Ibrox men out of jail but the heat is still on the manager after falling further behind Celtic in the title race.
Van Bronckhorst is trying to manage his squad during a hectic spell and he made another SIX changes. Out went Alfredo Morelos, Ridvan Yilmaz, Scott Wright, Fashion Sakala, James Sands and Jon McLaughlin, with Allan McGregor, Ryan Kent, Borna Barisic, Scott Arfield and Antonio Colak coming in.
The Light Blues looked in the mood to get off to a flier when Colak nodded wide in the early minutes. But seconds later there were more grumbles in the stands when Martindale’s men struck inside just four minutes.
Cristian Montano had the Gers backline back-pedalling with a charge down the left and his cross spun into the path of Nouble, who superbly swivelled and tucked the ball in the bottom bin. It nearly got a heck of a lot worse soon after when Jack Fitzwater was allowed to get his head on Sean Kelly’s corner, and the defender was first to react by lashing narrowly wide.
Rangers had to react – and they were howling for VAR’s intervention when Montano got in a muddle trying to clear amid claims for handball. The video ref had a peak but didn’t feel the need to get involved and Gers continued to toil in the search for a route back.
Van Bronckhorst’s side were crying out for a bit of quality to supply Colak and Kent provided a flash of it with a terrific whipped ball, but the Croatian steered wide. There was more bad news for the hosts with defender Leon King needing replaced at the break.
Wide man Rabbi Matondo was also thrown on for the second period as Gers looked to raise the tempo. They did force a glut of corners that came to nothing, and several hopeful balls into the box or optimistic shots from miles out.
Livi were happy to camp in and squeeze the space but Colak wriggled free and his cross grazed the top of the bar before Malik Tillman was caught dozing with the rebound. It was constant pressure on the Livi box though and the visitors were hanging on when Colak threatened with an overhead kick.
Van Bronkhorst chucked on Morelos and went two up top in a bid to break through the backs-to-the-wall job. They were handed a boost when VAR got involved with 13 minutes to go and Morgan Boyce’s initial yellow card for raking in to Matondo was turned in to a red.
Rangers were still toiling but finally managed to find a way through as the match tipped in to stoppage time. Lundstram produced a slick volleyed finish to get on the end of Kent’s cross and with seven minutes of extra time to go, it set up a late charge.
Ges pushed and Lundstram missed a big chance right at the death, but the problems continue to mount for van Bronckhorst. Here are three things Record Sport picked up from the game.
The boo boys are out
Rangers boss Gio van Bronckhorst admitted before the match his side needed to step up and entertain the fans. He wanted a reaction – but this wasn’t it.
Instead it was more of the same from his team and the punters are losing patience. There were boos after the League Cup win against Dundee and a repeat at half-the against Liv following a turgid first half.
Familiar problems continue to plague Rangers. The build up play is too slow, there’s a lack of quality in the final third, and there’s clear an issue with confidence.
Van Bronckhorst’s men had a ridiculous amount of possession but could barely muster a decent dig on goal. In fact, Gers managed just one shot on target inside the opening 90 minutes, and that was a hopeful drive from about 35 yards from James Tavernier.
The late goal meant they avoided a disastrous defeat but the draw wasn’t much cop either. There were more jeers at the end and van Bronckhorst is in deep bother with the support.
Rangers injury woes mount
Van Bronckhorst has enough problems without more bodies heading for the Auchenhowie treatment room,
Leon King failing to reappear after the break is the latest huge concern for the manager – especially with Napoli up next.
Rangers have a ton of trouble in the centre of defence, with Connor Goldson and Filip Helander both out and Ben Davies is having to be managed after struggling at the start of the season.
Losing King would be an ominous one for a midweek trip that was already filling fans with a sense of dread.
Napoli have arguably been the team of the Champions League group stages so far after stunning wins against Liverpool and Ajax. Rangers gave them a game at Ibrox for an hour but this trip to Italy with a depleted squad looked the last thing under-fire van Bronckhorst needs.
Livi's lions
What a job David Martindale is doing at Livingston. The only thing that’s been missing for his Lions is a result at Ibrox, but this is another box tick.
Livingston have a reputation for being rugged and robust, but it’s a bit of a myth. They are all that, but this lot play some neat stuff as well – but this result was about more of the former than the latter.
The early goal was absolutely perfect for Matindale’s gameplan. It allowed them to sit deep and frustrate.
But it’s one thing just having bodies back there. Players need to put them not them on the line – and that’s exactly what they did.
Time and time again Livingston battlers make heroic blocks and clearances, they defended their goal like they were fighting for dear life.
It might not have been the prettiest but this was the perfect plan to frustrate a Rangers side who are struggling to create, even with 10 men for the final quarter of an hour. The late goal was sore but Martindale made his point.
