Lawrence Shankland proved the difference once again as Rangers claimed back-to-back Scottish Premiership victories, netting twice to see off Falkirk in a scrappy, mistake-riddled encounter that lacked much in the way of quality but delivered a decisive individual display from the club captain.
Shankland's opener came from his weaker left foot, whistled into the roof of the net, before he added a second - again finished left-footed - to settle a tight contest just when it seemed to be hanging in the balance. The strike arrived moments after he had rolled a low effort wide with an even better opportunity at his feet, but the Scotland international showed the composure that has defined much of his career to make amends almost immediately.
Falkirk manager John McGlynn had no doubts about who had decided the outcome. "If Lawrence Shankland is in a navy blue jersey, we win the game tonight," he told BBC Scotland afterwards.
The victory follows Shankland's matchwinning penalty against Aberdeen at Pittodrie just days earlier, giving Rangers their first two league wins of the campaign under manager Derek McInnes. It marks a significant turnaround for the striker, who joined his boyhood club in the summer after years of speculation, arriving off the back of 60 goals across his last three seasons at Hearts. Like the team as a whole, Shankland endured a sluggish start to the new season, but he now has three goals in four league appearances and appears to be rediscovering the sharp form that made him one of Scottish football's most prolific forwards at Tynecastle.
Beyond his goals, Shankland's overall involvement stood out. He registered more shots than anyone else on the pitch and combined effectively with teammates including Djeidi Gassama and Kim Min-Su, with only Gassama managing more touches inside the opposition box.
McInnes, who worked with Shankland at Hearts before both moved to Ibrox, praised his captain's contribution. "I'm very pleased for Lawrence," he said. "I thought his second goal was particularly good, considering he missed the chance that he would be kicking himself with. But, like all good strikers, the experience of Lawrence, the calmness of Lawrence, the quality comes up with a big moment." He added: "I'm delighted for him because it's not been, like for all of us, the easiest of starts. Obviously Lawrence would feel the weight of that a lot more than some others, just because of his background and how eager he is. A proper captain's performance out there tonight."
The win came against a backdrop of transfer deadline day activity that complicated preparations. Midfielder Nicolas Raskin, subject of a loan approach from Besiktas that Rangers rejected, returned to the starting line-up after missing the previous two matches - including the Europa League qualifying exit on penalties to Czech side Jablonec. Raskin played a key role in the buildup to Shankland's opener, winning possession in his own half before launching the move.
McInnes expressed hope that Raskin would remain at Ibrox beyond the deadline. "I'm just glad I'm able to choose Nico tonight," he said. "We can do with his experience in there. I thought he got better in the second half. Obviously delighted if we manage to hold onto him and it looks like we will." He also voiced frustration at the disruption caused by transfer business so close to kick-off, revealing he had been unsure who would be arriving and who would be departing right up until the squad gathered.
Elsewhere, Rangers agreed to a £1m loan deal sending Norway midfielder Thelo Aasgaard to Anderlecht, while a move for Portland Timbers forward Kevin Kelsy is expected to be finalised. McInnes said he was looking forward to the window closing so his squad, already refreshed by 12 summer signings, could settle into a settled rhythm.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.