Rangers put pressure on the chasing pack in the SPL when they took maximum points from their trip to Falkirk in Saturday’s early kick-off top move top of the SPL. A first-half double from Kris Boyd set the visitors on their way to victory but they were tested throughout by an attacking Falkirk team in an entertaining match.
Rangers boss Walter Smith made several changes following the defeat to Aberdeen last week. Most notable was the return to the starting line-up of Madjid Bougherra, with Danny Wilson dropping to the bench. Bougherra hadn’t started a game since his controversial late return from international duty last month.
Kenny Miller, Nacho Novo and Kevin Thomson also started, Kyle Lafferty and John Fleck moving down to the substitute’s bench and Steven Naismith not making the squad. Falkirk made only one change, Pedro Pele making his debut in place of Danijel Marceta who started on the bench.
Both sides had early chances. Boyd was just short of meeting Miller’s flick-on in the box before Pedro Moutinho cracked a long-distance shot just over the bar for Falkirk. A goal was not long in coming though, and Rangers took the lead on 17 minutes.
Madjid Bougherra made one of his many attacking forays and found himself in possession on the right wing. His low cross lacked pace but still somehow found Kris Boyd who could hardly miss from six yards. Boyd's celebration earned him a booking, somewhat harsh considering the forward lifted his shirt just high enough to show his belly.
McGregor was kept busy in saving an Arfield shot and Falkirk were attacking with pace whenever the opportunity arose. However, they were always in danger of leaving spaces at the back and were punished again on 36 minutes. The goal was not dissimilar to the opener, Miller providing the cross from the right this time and an almost stationary Boyd was well positioned to crack in a second goal.
It looked like Rangers would take a healthy lead in at half-time but four minutes before the break Falkirk got the goal their positive approach deserved. Chris Mitchell’s corner was met by debutant Pele whose downward header was poked home by Moutinho.
The second half gave Rangers two early chances to extend their lead but smart saves from Robert Olejnik kept them out and Falkirk still posed an occasional threat. Novo was replaced by DaMarcus Beasley and Boyd by Lafferty and in the 74th minute the American won a penalty for his side that sealed the points.
Falkirk defender Darren Barr was the villain, catching Beasley in the box when attempting to clear a high ball. Kenny Miller stepped up to take the penalty and opted to blast the ball down the middle, leaving Olejnik no chance.
Both sides had half-chances in the closing stages but the result was not in doubt and Rangers had the win they wanted to put pressure on those playing later in the day.
