Livingston

Did you attend Livingston's loss to Rangers? Click here to have your say on the match.

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Livingston manager David Martindale: "We put a lot into the game. Up until the 78th minute, I thought we were very good within the game. To lose the manner of the goals we did, the last three goals, was really, really disappointing.

"Am I happy where I am squad-wise? Yeah, I think I am but I would like one more in, in the offensive area. But to do that, I've got to be pragmatic. People need to move on for that to happen."

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BBC Scotland's Andy Campbell

Livingston kept themselves in the game and but for a John Souttar interception may have found themselves in for a leveller after two Andrew Shinnie efforts.

Scoring on the road was a problem for Livi last season and that still needs addressed, particularly if they are to push into the top six come May.

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Livingston probably did not deserve to be on the end of a four-goal defeat but struggled to create at Ibrox.

Andrew Shinnie twice went close for the visitors at 1-0 down, forcing Jack Butland into saves.

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Jose Cifuentes was denied a first Rangers goal after VAR ruled his strike out for offside but his overall performance and first start for the club was assured.

The midfielder drifted into wide areas to support his team-mates and provided some teasing deliveries to put Livingston under pressure.

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Jose Cifuentes makes his first Rangers start after a brief cameo from the bench against Servette on Wednesday. The Ecuadorian takes over from Ryan Jack in midfield.

There's one change to the defence with Leon Balogun replacing Connor Goldson. Goldson only recently returned from an extended period out and neither he nor Jack are included among the substitutes. Rabbi Matondo and Leon King return to the squad.

Just the one change for Livingston following last week's draw with Aberdeen, with Stephen Kelly in for the benched Kurtis Guthrie.

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Balogun, Barisic, Raskin, Cifuentes, Cantwell, Lammers, Dessers, Danilo.

Substitutes: McCrorie, Lundstram, Hagi, Matondo, Sima, Dowell, Sterling, Roofe, King.

Livingston: George, Devlin, Obileye, De Lucas, Brandon, Shinnie, Holt, Montano, Sangare, Nouble, Kelly.

Substitutes: Hamilton, Nottingham, MacKay, Ledingham, Guthrie, Penrice, Bradley, Parkes, Boyes.

Rangers will be without one or two players with bumps and bruises. Ridvan Yilmaz, Ben Davies and Tom Lawrence missed the Champions League win over Servette.

Livingston have doubts over Kurtis Guthrie (knock), Scott Pittman (ribs) and Bruce Anderson (head), while new signing Samson Lawal is unavailable for selection.

Livingston have announced the signing of Samson Lawal from Nigerian side Katsina United on a three-year deal.

The Nigeria U20 international will not be eligible to play this weekend's league fixture against Rangers, but could make his debut in the Viaplay Cup against Ayr United.

"I’m excited as to what Samson will bring to the group of players we currently have here at the club," manager David Martindale said.

“He has played a number of positions in his short career – 7, 11, 8 and 10 – and most recently with ourselves in a couple of bounce games as a 6 and he was fantastic there too.

“He’s a very versatile footballer who has not long turned 19 and I genuinely believe there is a huge amount of development still to come from Samson."

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• Rangers’ Borna Barisic created more chances than any other player on MD1 with five. Since the start of last season, only three players have created more chances in the division than Barisic (73).

• If Livingston avoid defeat against Rangers, it will be the first time since the 2019-20 season they’ve avoided defeat in their first two Scottish Premiership fixtures of the season.

• Rangers haven’t lost their opening two matches of a league season since 1989-90, when they lost to St. Mirren and Hibernian under Graeme Souness.

• Livingston have never won in 22 previous visits to Rangers in all competitions (D3 L19); this is the most the Gers have faced a side in competitive matches at home without ever losing.

• Rangers are unbeaten in 17 meetings with Livingston in all competitions (W15 D2) since a 0-1 defeat in September 2018 under Steven Gerrard.

Livingston travel to Ibrox on Saturday in the Scottish Premiership as they look to upset the odds.

Would you make any changes from the side that drew with Aberdeen?

Pick your Livingston XI here.

Stuart Barrie, Livingston fan

It may not have been the most cultured game but I really enjoyed the opening league fixture of the season against Aberdeen. The Viaplay Cup games have been a bit like diet drinks - good but not the same.

Both teams rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in to pepper this game with lots of intensity and effort. I have to credit the 4000 or so Aberdeen fans for their part in making it a great atmosphere too.

The selection of Curtis Guthrie raised a few eyebrows amongst Livi fans, as it's fair to say he’s had an inauspicious start to his career at the Tony Mac. He’s got a bit of work to convince sections of the Livi support he’s a starter. He did play well and caused lots of problems, particularly for Nicky Devlin, returning to Livingston for his first game in the psychedelic colours of the rather smart new Aberdeen shirt.

Last season we would probably have lost this game but the fight and the desire that have characterised David Martindale’s time were clearly there to see. We deserved a point against the third best team last season, perhaps more as we were the better team in the second half for me.

The only negative from the game was a horrible-looking injury to Bruce Anderson. It looked a sore one and we are all hoping he recovers quickly to get back on the pitch soon.

Liam McLeod and Kevin Thomson review the weekend's Scottish Premiership results, react to the European draws and pay tribute to James McArthur who has today retired from football.

Give the podcast a listen here.

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