OPINION
Rangers returned to winning ways in the Premiership with a much needed 3-0 win over Livingston on Sunday as they look to stay in touch with the title race this season.
Ryan Jack netted the opener, seeing his long range strike squeeze under the body of Liam Kelly in a goalkeeping howler, before Ryan Kent doubled their lead with a effort lashed in from close range in the first five minutes of the second half.
Alfredo Morelos’ finish from a tight angle was the icing on the cake for the Gers, whose three points put them back into second place, three points behind Celtic at the summit.
So who shone and who sunk for Steven Gerrard’s men at the Tony Macaroni Arena?
This is Futbol has rated and slated the Gers stars on Sunday afternoon:
Goalkeeper and defenders
McGregor: 7 – Very little to do in the first half and was first tested towards the end of the first 45 minutes. Commanding in the area, balls into the box often found their way into his hands.
Tavernier: 7 – With Livingston offering little in attack the right back was given the freedom to attack down the right and linked up well with Daniel Candeias.
Worrall: 7 – After his midweek shocker he looked a lot more convincing at the Tony Macaroni Arena – albeit against a side lacking in cutting edge.
Katic: 7 – Returning from injury the centre back could not have had a calmer afternoon to ease back into the side. Confident enough to deal with long balls forward while looked sharp when the ball was on the floor.
Barisic: 8 – Back among the starting XI he demonstrated why he is often rated as the best left back at the club. Defensively sound, his threat down the left was a constant thorn in the side of the home team and he delivered some dangerous crosses to cause havoc at the back.
Midfielders
McCrorie: 6 – Missed a sitter of a header in the first ten minutes before finding himself booked for a nasty looking challenge 10 minutes before half time.
Jack: 7 – Was the hero at Ibrox against Celtic and was on the score sheet once again, although fortune favoured him a lot more this time out. An accurate and low shot was fumbled into the net by the home side’s keeper.
Arfield: 8 – A very composed performance from the Canadian international, he made the Gers tick as he controlled the game in the middle of the park.
Forwards
Candeias: 9 – An outstanding performance from the mainstay in both attack and defence. Quite possibly the most hard working player on the pitch, he terrorised Livingston with his ability from out wide. The home side could not handle him. Man of the match.
Kent: 7 – On the left of the three man attack, the Liverpool loanee looked comfortable on the ball and regularly found a way past the home side full back to create a chance. Was in the right place at the right time, blasting the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
Morelos: 8 – After being partnered with Jermain Defoe in midweek, this display shows why he likes to be the sole striker. Worked the middle as well as the flanks and brought teammates into play expertly. Expertly finished to wrap up the points.
Substitutes
Defoe: 6 – Brought on with 15 minutes left to play, did his best to feed off the support that the likes of Candeias were feeding him. Found one shot off radar with chances limited.
Davis: 6 – Replacing Ryan Kent at the same time Defoe came on, there was not a lot to report as he looked to shore up the middle of the pitch.
Halliday: N/A – Played less than 10 minutes hence his lack of rating.