Livingston coach David Martindale highlighted Jack Butland, Rabbi Matondo and Abdallah Sima as Rangers’ matchwinners during Saturday’s 4-0 Scottish Premiership victory at Ibrox.
While not quite as convincing a performance as the very lopsided scoreline might suggest, Rangers‘ first win of the new league season was testament to the success of their summer business.
All four of the home sides goals – Sam Lammers, Danilo, Abdallah Sima and Kieran Dowell – came from new faces. Jack Butland, meanwhile, offered a reminder as to why he arrived in Glasgow with England and Manchester United on his CV; pulling off a superb fingertip save to deny Graeme Shinnie when the score was still 1-0.
“From 0-78 minutes I thought it was a decent game. We nullified a lot of Rangers’ threat so I was fairly happy. I thought we could get a goal at 1-0. Shinnie’s was the big chance, it was a good save from Butland,” Martindale sighs, via the Daily Record.
“I’m frustrated. I’m proud of the players up to a certain level but also disappointed for them. I could see how much they put into it.”
New signings shine as Rangers beat Livingston
With three goals in the final 12 minutes of normal time, the introductions of Matondo and Sima for Lammers and Cyriel Dessers took the game beyond Martindale’s brave visitors.
“Rangers’ subs really helped them,” he adds. “They brought a lot of pace and power onto the park.
“Goals change games. I was thinking my keeper Shamal George had a good game – but he’s picked the ball out the net four times.
“I’ve been battered here in games before and lost them 1-0. I think this is my heaviest defeat at Ibrox and, genuinely, we’ve been in the game for 78 minutes.”
Mick Beale’s Gers are now just two Premiership fixtures away from the first Old Firm derby of the season; Celtic arriving at Ibrox on September 3rd.
