Lawrence Shankland scored a brace to lead Rangers to a 2-1 win over Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium, delivering a timely reminder of his value as the club prepares to welcome new striker Kevin Kelsy.
The Rangers captain followed up his matchwinning display against Aberdeen on Sunday with another two goals, cancelling out Kosta Nedeljkovoc's first-half equaliser for the hosts. The result came on a day when Nico Raskin's proposed move to Besiktas collapsed, while Kelsy is set to complete a £9million deadline day switch from Portland Timbers on Thursday.
Shankland steals the spotlight
All eyes were on Raskin before kick-off as he was named a surprise starter after a day of speculation. But Shankland soon took centre stage, lacing a superb finish past Scott Bain. It wasn't in the top corner, but the pace and whip left the Falkirk No1 motionless.
Falkirk had been tepid in the first half hour but threw bodies forward and equalised on the stroke of half-time. Pouncing on a loose ball from Cammy Devlin, the hosts worked the ball wide to Ethan Ross, whose cross was turned past Ivor Pandur by Nedeljkovoc on his first start.
Both teams fluffed huge chances to take the lead just after half-time. Shankland dragged wide while clean through on Fox, before Pandur bailed out Fernandez after his woeful pass was intercepted by Jacob Murrell. But Shankland dusted himself down and angled a superb finish past Bain with 12 minutes to go to hand Rangers the win.
McInnes watches from the stand
Derek McInnes watched from the stand as he began a two-match ban for last year's ref blast. For the first half hour he'd have enjoyed the view as Rangers popped the ball about with confidence. But the anxiety he admitted had hampered his team early in the season soon returned, and Falkirk were quick to pounce.
Rangers regathered their nerve to claim a big win thanks to Shankland's double. With the window set to shut after 12 new arrivals, McInnes will now be glad to get down to work. But only time will tell if the summer refurb is built on solid foundations.
Raskin stays, Aasgaard leaves
Rangers fans have every right to be perplexed by the club's handling of Raskin. They decided it was too big a risk to play the Red Devils ace in Jablonec last week when there were no bids on the table, yet allowed him to be thrown back into action when Besiktas had tabled a firm offer. The £12million try-before-you-buy loan deal wasn't what they were hoping for after his efforts in North America.
McInnes has vowed to do all he can to ensure Raskin fulfils his ambitions by January. But the best thing Raskin can do is up his own game. Meanwhile, Thelo Aasgaard is on his way to Anderlecht having agreed a loan with a £6million option to buy. Of the 12 players Russell Martin signed last year, only four remain.
Kim looks inventive and full of determination, but he can't do it all on his own and Rangers must find more like him in January.
Bain blame for opener
Bain was the Falkirk fall guy last week at Parkhead after his early gaffe handed Camilo Duran the first goal for Celtic. He'll have to take the blame for Shankland's opener here. It was struck with power and a bit of movement, but Bain had a clear view and should have got hands to it. He was lucky not to hand Rangers a second after spilling a Kim strike into Raskin's path, with the Belgian firing straight into the side netting.
