Rangers flex muscle to sink Falkirk in breathless nine-goal Premiership thriller - but clear faults remain

Rangers kept their title charge on track after surviving an almighty scare against Falkirk as they ran out emphatic 6-3 winners to leapfrog Celtic into second spot and move back to within a point of leaders Hearts heading into the post-split fixtures.

The wheels appeared to be falling off the Ibrox club’s trophy challenge before half-time as goals from Ben Broggio and Finn Yeats had the Bairns two goals ahead. However, the visitors replied by scoring four times in 16 minutes either side of the break.

Tochi Chukwuani sparked the comeback shortly before the interval, with Youssef Chermiti and Bojan Miovski notching doubles in amongst Nicolas Raskin’s strike and Calvin Miller’s spot-kick during a breathless encounter.

Falkirk's Ben Broggio tussles for possession with Rangers winger Djeidi Gassama | SNS Group

Rangers started the day in third place and aiming to keep pace with the Jambos and Celtic at the summit after both of their title rivals recorded victories 24 hours earlier. At one stage on Saturday, it looked as though Danny Rohl’s men would be heading to the Falkirk Stadium with a chance to overtake the Edinburgh club, but a late Lawrence Shankland penalty against Motherwell put paid to that.

The visitors were also eyeing a first win over John McGlynn’s side this term following two previous stalemates. Fresh from clinching their place in the top-six for the first time since 1995 last weekend, the high-flying Bairns still retain outside hopes of securing European football next season, despite passing up the opportunity to move within two points of fifth-placed Hibs here.

How Falkirk v Rangers unfolded

Seeking to extend their unbeaten league run to 10 matches, Rangers, the Premiership’s form side, were draped in their orange away kit to mirror the sunshine that had broken out over central Scotland ahead of this high noon kick-off.

However, a storm was brewing against an opponent who have been a breath of fresh air this term. Rangers got off to the worst possible start and fell behind after just five minutes, Miller outpaced James Tavernier down the left-hand side before drilling a low ball across the box which found unmarked Aston Villa loanee Broggio, who produced a composed back-post finish.

Finn Yeats celebrates after doubling Falkirk's lead against Rangers | SNS Group

Rangers adopted a high defensive line and were almost caught out again minutes later when red-hot striker Barney Stewart found himself in behind, only to be forced out wide and no one was on hand in the six-yard box to connect with his low delivery.

As the first half wore on, the visitors were gradually beginning to find their feet. But as has been the case on several occasions this season, a lack of imagination and invention in the final third was proving their downfall.

The hosts would then proceed to plunge another dagger into Rangers’ side in the 26th minute. It stemmed from yet more lacklustre defending as Yeats picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box before firing first-time past the despairing dive of Jack Butland.

Rangers were in serious trouble. Two down and struggling to pose much of a threat, they desperately needed an injection of creativity. A spark from somewhere.

Step up Chukwuani in controversial circumstances. The January signing found himself in the right place to drill a shot in off the far post amid strong appeals from the home side that the ball had gone out of play as it was crossed. However, the goal was allowed to stand after a VAR check. A vital lifeline that Rangers desperately craved.

Ponderous in attack, though, Rohl introduced Miovski for the ineffective Moore - a pre-match injury doubt - at the start of the second half. The change worked a treat as Rangers clicked into gear and hauled themselves back on level terms within two minutes of the restart.

Shifting across from the right to the left flank, Gassama won a 50-50 with Keelan Adams to keep the ball alive before picking out the enigmatic Chermiti to steer into the net.

Falkirk were starting to unravel and they fell behind after 52 minutes. Rangers broke up field with the ball eventually finding Raskin, whose low thunderbolt nestled in the far corner of the net to spark delirium among the away fans.

Rangers looked a different animal and Miovski made it 4-2 with a volley from six yards, but McGlynn’s men refused to roll over and they seized the chance to reduce the deficit when Miller squeezed a penalty under Butland after Tavernier was penalised for a clumsy challenge on Filip Lissah.

But moments after Miller spurned a chance to equalise, Rangers restored their two-goal cushion when Gassama’s strike deflected into the path of Chermiti who smashed home.

Miovski iced the cake with three minutes remaining when he tapped home substitute Oliver Antman’s cross to give Rangers’ goal difference a welcome boost and cap off an epic 90 minutes.

Going forward, Rangers are displaying clear signs of champions, but their defensive vulnerabilities remain. For now, though, a clear message had been sent to their title rivals. A banner unveiled from the travelling support at full-time read ‘Keep Believing’. Rangers are doing just that.