November 28, (THEWILL) –Â Rangers won 3-1 at a snowy Livingston this afternoon, earning a well-deserved three points. Scott Arfield and Joe Aribo were on target early on in the frigid conditions, and while the home side drew one back before the break, Fashion Sakala ensured the points 11 minutes from time.
For his debut Scottish Premiership encounter at Livingston this afternoon, manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst made one alteration to his starting lineup. Arfield replaced Steven Davis in the team that qualified for the Europa League knockout stages in midweek by defeating Sparta Prague at Ibrox.
With Allan McGregor in goal, James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Calvin Bassey, and Borna Barisic in front of him, it was the same back five. Arfield partnered with Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo in midfield, while Ianis Hagi and Ryan Kent supported Alfredo Morelos up front.
Since his appointment, van Bronckhorst has made minor adjustments to the Rangers’ formation. Even if pre-planned, the new tactics worked, with Aribo and Arfield demonstrating their orders to move forward.
Arfield’s first goal came as a result of a driving drive from midfield, which was set up by a brilliant through pass from James Tavernier, the man of the match. Aribo, who was deployed in the centre, also demonstrated his worth with an inch-perfect curling attempt from the edge of the box.
The only goal for Livingston came from a pass blasted upfield to Alan Forrest’s foot, who pushed Allan McGregor into a fantastic save before Bruce Anderson headed home the rebound.
Fashion Sakala came off the bench to score another goal for Rangers, demonstrating his striker instinct once more. The Zambian forward rose highest from a corner to slam in a header and give Van Bronckhorst’s charges all three points.
It raises the question of whether Sakala should have been involved from the beginning and it will depend on van Bronckhorst and his developing tactics with the Gers team.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
