Rangers last meeting with Livingston in the Scottish Premiership brought late drama, fleeting relief, and ultimately a moment that now feels like the final flicker of the Russell Martin era.
Back in early autumn, Rangers finally secured their first league win of the season, and Martin’s first, and what would prove to be only, in the Premiership, ending a miserable run of away league games without a win, stretching all the way back to March’s victory over Dundee.
The three points brought momentary breathing space, but the underlying issues were clear even then.
A scrappy, unconvincing performance
Rangers arrived at Almondvale under mounting pressure following a disappointing home defeat to Genk.
Martin made three changes: Connor Barron, Bojan Miovski and Oliver Antman replacing Mohammed Diomande (suspended), Yousef Chermiti and Mikey Moore.
The hope was to inject life into a team lacking identity, cohesion and confidence.
But it was Livingston who started sharper. Stevie May threatened early, forcing Rangers to work their way into the game. When they finally did, it came through a flowing move, Nicolas Raskin’s clever flick sending Miovski clean through, only for the striker to blaze over a glaring chance.
Moments later came the breakthrough. Djeidi Gassama’s powerful run and deep cross found Antman, who cushioned the ball back for James Tavernier.
The captain reacted brilliantly, arching a volley over his head and into the net: a classic Tavernier moment, producing inspiration just when Rangers needed it.
Tavernier could have doubled the lead from the spot after Antman was fouled, but Jerome Prior saved well.
Derek Cornelius then saw a header ruled out, and despite a promising first half, Rangers unraveled after the break.
Sloppy possession, poor structure, and a timid response invited Livingston forward. The equaliser felt inevitable, and it came when Adam Montgomery was given all the time in the world to cross for Mohamed Sylla, who powered home unmarked.
Both sides had chances late on, May for Livi, Miovski for Rangers, before stoppage time delivered the decisive moment. Antman’s corner was flicked on by Raskin and met at the back post by Max Aarons, making his first appearance since a red card against Club Brugge.
His volley sent the away end into chaos and secured a desperately needed win – one that could prove vital at the end of the season as Rangers look to close the gap on Celtic and Hearts.
Relief… followed by reality
Martin celebrated wildly, but the reaction from the travelling support told its own story. Within seconds of the restart, chants of “Martin GTF” rang out. The goal had delivered the three points, but not belief. The performance, once again, exposed the scale of the problem.
Just weeks later, after a dismal 1–1 draw at Falkirk, Rangers pulled the plug. Martin was dismissed, ending a spell defined by fragility, poor results, and an increasingly toxic disconnect between the team and support.
A different Rangers
The contrast since the arrival of Danny Röhl has been stark.
Intensity has been restored. The structure repaired and our identity rediscovered.
He has won three league wins out of three as momentum has replaced the malaise.
Looking back, that late win at Livingston feels less like a turning point and more like the last gasp of a doomed regime.
Now, as Rangers prepare to face Livingston again, this time under a head coach who has brought clarity and belief, the mood is transformed.
The team that scraped past Livi in stoppage time no longer exists. In its place is a Rangers side finally moving forward with purpose.