Slick Rangers show Giovanni van Bronckhorst's tactical midas touch in dominant win

The Light Blues made light work of their opponents at a venue which has is often regarded as a leveller given the artificial surface but hasn’t caused Rangers too many issues of late with six wins in their last seven visits.

First half goals from Scott Arfield and Joe Aribo saw Rangers race into an early lead before Bruce Anderson reduced the deficit.

Allan McGregor produced a world-class save to keep the scoreline at 2-1 going into half time before Fashion Sakala made sure of the win with a header from a James Tavernier corner.

It was a largely dominant performance as we can see in the chart below with the SPFL champions enjoying 71% possession but, unlike previous displays under Steven Gerrard, Rangers used the ball far better.

Formation wise, Rangers lined up slightly different at times to what we saw against Sparta Prague on Thursday night with van Bronckhorst opting for almost a 4-1-2-3 with Glen Kamara often slotting in beside Connor Goldson and Calvin Bassey to form a back three.

Interesting tactical decision today by GvB.

Kamara formed a back three at Livi goal-kicks, free-kicks and after they'd taken kick-off.

Addressing an area in which Rangers have been vulnerable (e.g the goal today), playing against two strikers. pic.twitter.com/0CgZrTPGQZ

— Joshua Barrie (@JoshuaBarrieRR) November 28, 2021

Similarly to Thursday night, there was real width with Ryan Kent often hogging the touchline and providing pace down the right flank, Ianis Hagi picked up position on the opposite side and despite not being blessed for pace, we can see Rangers looked to venture out wide often.

The opening goal on eight minutes from Scott Arfield was a thing of beauty, James Tavernier’s perfectly weighted ball is controlled expertly by the Canadian international before supplying the most exquisite of lobs to take out the marooned Max Stryjek and send the Rangers fans into raptures.

Aribo’s second was arguably even better such was the technique in simply guiding the ball over Stryjek and off the underside of the bar into the back of the net.  The xG of 0.07 highlights just how insanely difficult it was to score from such a position.

Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos deserve great credit also for their part in the build-up, it’s the incisive attacking play Rangers have been crying out for all season.

READ MORE: Detailed Rangers player ratings as Glen Kamara stands out in Rolls-Royce performance

It wouldn’t be Rangers of late if they didn’t concede needlessly and Bruce Anderson’s goal was certainly preventable.

Connor Goldson is caught underneath a diagonal cross-field pass from Jack Fitzwater which allows Alan Forrest to fire an effort on goal, Allan McGregor does well to parry but Anderson nips in ahead of Bassey to nod home.

McGregor would be called into action again just before half-time with a trademark stop to deny Forrest.

There may have been a few nerves at half time but the Rangers supporters needn’t have worried as they totally controlled the second half.

When asked what the key message was at the break, van Bronckhorst told Rangers TV:

“The key message was be more secure in our passing because we lost the ball too easily at times and we gave transition moments to Livingston. We did much better in the second half and kept positive with the idea to go and win the second half as if it was 0-0.”

His words ring true, as we can see, Livingston’s xG in the second period was pretty much non-existent and Rangers made sure of the three points with a header from substitute Fashion Sakala.

The Zambian’s leap is incredible but David Martindale won’t be happy with the defending from his side, most notably Stryjek who was in no man's land.

It was assist number two for Tavernier who now has 15 assists for the season, quite incredible considering he’s been the subject of criticism and part of an often lacklustre Rangers team.

The graph below highlights just how influential and pivotal he is to this Rangers team.

Van Bronckhorst was delighted with the goals his team scored, speaking afterwards he commented:

“Set pieces are really important because if you take them well it gives you a good chance to score and so we saw a great run by Scott for the first goal. In the second the build-up was really good, a lot of speed passing movement and of course a great shot into the top corner so I’m very pleased with the performance of the whole team.”

It's now two wins in two for van Bronckhorst but more importantly, Rangers look hungrier, more direct and more entertaining than prior to his arrival.

Heading to Easter Road on Wednesday night, expect to see a much-changed Rangers to the one that was humbled 3-1 by the Leith outfit at Hampden just over a week ago.