Livingston goalkeeper Shamal George has admitted that the Lions were hoping to reduce Rangers to 10-men during Saturday’s opening day defeat.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side claimed a 2-1 win at the Tony Macaroni Arena but were trailing for the majority of the game.
The hosts led through Joel Nouble’s fifth minute opener and the striker was causing the Gers defence all sorts of problems. Aside from his delicate chip over Jon McLaughlin, he was proving too hot to handle as John Souttar, Connor Goldson and Glen Kamara were all booked for fouls on the striker inside the opening 45 minutes.
A quick-fire double from the visitors would seal the three points as Scott Arfield headed home on 72 minutes a trademark free-kick from James Tavernier two minutes later turned the game around.
The Gers also kept their discipline after the break despite George admitting the home side were hopeful of picking up a numerical advantage during the second half.
He said: “I thought we were solid in the first half. In the second half we knew they were going to have chances because they were going to come at us. We just couldn’t keep them out. I’m gutted but we have to move on. I thought we played really well.
“Joel’s a real handful. I thought he was class. That was our game plan, to try and get a player sent- off. Given how good they are, we needed to give them a disadvantage as much as possible. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get the result.”
It was certainly a baptism of fire with the former Colchester United stopper making his Lions debut – and he admitted he was taken aback at just how good their opponents were.
He added: “We know how organised they are and how well they play but it’s a tough one to take. To be honest, I didn’t really know what to expect but Rangers were unreal.
They were a joke. I didn’t expect them to be that good. The gaffer said ‘you are going to be in for a shock when you see how good they are’ and I was.
“The atmosphere, I have never experienced anything like it. It’s definitely one that I will remember.
It would have been better if we had got a draw or a win but the team played well. I’m just gutted for the boys.”
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