Rangers fought back furiously from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with 10-man Livingston in West Lothian but dropped two valuable points in an increasingly dramatic William Hill Premiership title race.
Rangers snatch point at Livingston
French defender Brooklyn Kabongolo gave the home side an unlikely lead in the 14th minute with a well-executed volley. Livi goalkeeper Jerome Prior played his part in keeping the Light Blues at bay before Lewis Smith doubled that lead in the 55th minute.
The game turned against the league’s bottom side on the hour when Cristian Montano was sent off by referee Ryan Lee for denying Gers attacker Djeidi Gassama a goalscoring opportunity.
Emmanuel Fernandez reduced the deficit with a thunderous strike in the 81st minute and Mikey Moore levelled with two minutes remaining but Marvin Bartley’s side held out during nine added minutes to clinch a point.
Danny Rohl’s side are now four points behind leaders Hearts with 10 fixtures remaining while third-placed Celtic’s 2-1 defeat by Hibernian at Parkhead means they are two point behind the Gers but have played a game less than the top two.
As usual, Gers fans occupied three-quarters of the stadium in expectancy and in the sixth minute defender Tuur Rommens’ header from a Moore cross was pushed on to the post by Prior and a corner was headed over by Fernandez.
Those same supporters were stunned when Lions’ striker Robbie Muirhead’s deep free-kick into the Gers box was brilliantly volleyed past Butland by Kabongolo for his first Livingston goal since signing from Isthmian League side Aveley.
Youssef Chermiti had an absolute howler of a performance for Rangers
Livi, in their first real attack of the second half, added a second when the unmarked Smith took a pass from Emmanuel Danso 16 yards from goal and drilled the ball low past Butland.
When Montano was sent packing for hauling Gassama down just outside the box, hope was offered to the Govan side. However, it was all huffing and puffing. Daniel Finlayson blocked an effort from Gers substitute Ryan Naderi – but Prior had no chance when Fernandez fired in from the edge of the box.
There was more drama to come when Moore glanced in a header from a Tavernier cross to send the travelling fans into raptures.
Worse than Skov Olsen: Rohl must drop Rangers star who lost the ball 31 times
Danny Rohl must drop this Rangers flop who was even worse than Andreas Skov Olsen.
There was a lengthy VAR check for a penalty when Moore was tackled by Cammy Kerr right at the edge of the box deep into added time but it came to nothing and Gers eventually ran out of time.
Rangers battling English sides for League One gem
According to a report from The Daily Mail, Rangers are now lining up their summer transfer targets and are interested in Huddersfield Town starlet Cameron Ashia, who came through the academy at Derby County.
The 19 year-old forward, who can play on either flank or as a number ten, has scored six times and provided three assists in 27 appearances for The Terriers this season, having failed to break into Derby’s furst team.
Likened to Manchester City starlet Jeremy Doku, one of the best wingers in world football, for his ability to jink past defenders at ease, the youngster is now attracting interest from Rangers, Hearts and several English Championship sides, although it is not clear if the Rams are interested in re-signing him.
The Gers are expected to bring in a new wave of young talent in the summer, with Rohl also lining up a move for Dundee’s Cameron Congreve and Luke Graham.
Danny Rohl now personally scouting “exciting” Dundee star as Rangers plot double summer swoop
The Rangers boss means business.