Rangers secured back-to-back wins in the Scottish Premiership as Lawrence Shankland scored twice to down Falkirk 2-1 at the Falkirk Stadium.
The striker’s double proved decisive in a match that tested Rangers’ resolve at various stages throughout the evening fixture.
Shankland’s performance delivered a timely reminder of his value to the club, arriving at a moment when Rangers are preparing to welcome incoming striker Kevin Kelsy.
Kelsy is set to complete a £9 million deadline day switch from Portland Timbers on Thursday, adding firepower to a Rangers attack already producing results.
Rangers started the match with confidence, moving the ball with authority and composure during the opening thirty minutes of the contest.
However, the anxiety that had hampered their early-season performances soon crept back into their game, and Falkirk were quick to exploit the hesitation.
Rangers steadied themselves and ultimately reclaimed control, with Shankland’s brace proving enough to carry them to a significant three points.
Much of the pre-match discussion had centred on midfielder Nico Raskin, who was the subject of a transfer bid from Turkish side Besiktas, a move Rangers rejected.
Besiktas had been working to put together a deal and were reported to be close to agreeing personal terms with the midfielder before the move ultimately collapsed.
Raskin’s inclusion in the starting lineup had raised eyebrows, particularly given that Rangers chose not to play him in Jablonec the previous week when no bids were on the table.
Rangers fans noted the contrast, as the club had kept Raskin out of that fixture before allowing him to feature once Besiktas had tabled a firm offer.
Manager McInnes has vowed to do all he can to ensure Raskin fulfils his ambitions, with January now being eyed as a potential window for the midfielder’s situation to be resolved.
The starting XI that took to the pitch included Pandur, Nedeljkovic, Fernandez, Makhanya, Penrice, Raskin, Devlin, Min-su, Curtis, Gassama, and Shankland.
Available substitutes included Kelly, McCrorie, Godfrey, Chukwuani, Dragojevic, Yokota, McCausland, Miovski, and Naderi on the bench.
The 2-1 result keeps Rangers moving in the right direction as the Premiership season continues to gather momentum in the weeks ahead.
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