Rangers might’ve handed debuts to four new players against Livingston, but it was two Ibrox stalwarts who ensured the Premiership season got off to a positive start.
The Gers have had a busy summer with no fewer than seven new faces coming into the club as they target regaining the Premiership title from Old Firm rivals Celtic.
As part of the 2-1 win over Livingston, Rangers fans would get their first competitive glimpses of John Souttar, Tom Lawrence, Antonio Colak and Malik Tillman.
But it was substitute Scott Arfield and the ever-reliable club captain James Tavernier who would dig the club out of a hole and overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second half.
Rangers had gone into the break 1-0 down courtesy of a neat lob from Livingston striker Jon Nouble, the big forward capitalising to beat Jon McLaughlin after a long-ball caused confusion in the Rangers defence.
With the Ibrox side huffing and puffing in their attempts at an equaliser, and Antonio Colak unfairly seeing a goal chalked off for offside, Gio turned to the bench and Ibrox veteran Scott Arfield.
Rangers veterans turn up in Premiership Livingston victory
Arfield, 33, was handed a new one-year deal in the summer and it’s a move which is already paying dividends as he flashed a header past Shamal George to level the score line.
If Rangers go on to lift the title in what is sure to be a tight race with Celtic, the decision to give Arfield a new deal will have already proved priceless.
Club captain Tavernier, himself reportedly on the verge of putting pen to paper on a new contract, would step up moments later to lash in a stunning free-kick and secure the victory for Rangers.
The contribution of both Ibrox veterans proved essential as Rangers got off to a winning start in a tricky tie away to Livingston and fans will now turn their attention to the Champions League qualifiers.
Rangers are Belgium-bound to face off against Union Saint Gilloise this week and don’t bet against the likes of Arfield and Tavernier once again proving essential in the hunt for a group stage place.
Meanwhile, a former Rangers striker is reportedly amongst the frontrunners being tipped for a sensational Premiership return.