SPL Result: Rangers 3 Livingston 0

RANGERS produced a ruthless performance to beat rock bottom Livingston 3-0 at Ibrox this afternoon and new signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos had an impressive debut alongside Marvin Andrews in the heart of defence.

Goals from Dado Prso, Fernando Ricksen and Nacho Novo gave Alex McLeish's side all three points but all eyes were on the former Panathinaikos defender and he delighted the home support with his skill and agility.

With inspirational captain Stefan Klos out of action until the end of the season, McLeish had no hesitation in installing Allan McGregor between the posts and the young keeper made the most of his opportunity with a composed display.

Time will tell whether or not the Gers' manager will add another keeper to his squad in Klos' absence, but McGregor, who was the Bells' Player of the Months for December while on-loan at St. Johnstone, again proved that he has the ability to match his undoubted promise.

Michael Ball was also a surprise inclusion in Alex McLeish's starting eleven with Gregory Vignal watching the action alongside goalkeeping coach Billy Thompson behind the home dug-out.

Livi were rooted at the bottom of the SPL prior to today's match having only recorded four SPL victories from 23 league games and boss Richard Gough stated in his pre-match press conference how important it is for his side to start picking up points if they are to avoid relegation.

Unfortunately, this never looked like happening as Rangers attacked with purpose from the kick-off and won their first corner in the opening minute of the match. Roddy McKenzie, however, did well to pluck the ball from the air.

Gough and his assistant Archie Knox elected to start the game using a 4-1-4-1 formation with Derek Lilley playing as a lone striker and Gabor Vincze sitting in front of the Livi defence in order to man mark Thomas Buffel.

On seven minutes, however, the Belgian international slipped the Hungarian's attention and latched on to a Novo pass before crossing for Dado Prso. The towering striker rose above the Livi backline but McKenzie did well to dive to his left and produce an excellent save.

Prso was causing the Livi defence all sorts of problems and opened the scoring on 13 minutes, although he will be the first to thank Kyrgiakos for his role in the goal.

The defender picked up the ball in his own half and darted past two midfielders before chipping a perfect pass to the Croatian who controlled the ball with his chest before coolly passing the ball in to the net.

Gough will have been disappointed with his side's defending and he strode out to the edge of his technical area to bark out orders.

Rangers, however, did not rest on their laurels and should have scored their second on 28 minutes. Marvin Andrews played a searching ball to Nacho Novo who pushed Livi defender Jason Dair out of the way before bearing down on goal.

The striker could have played the ball back to Prso but decided to shoot and McKenzie did well to palm the ball around the post with his left hand.

Bojan Djordjic continued to show his commitment with some crunching tackles in the opening stages of the match but had to be taken off after 28 minutes, apparently injured, and was replaced by Hamed Namouchi.

Novo continued to threaten and looked like he had scored on 36 minutes. Kyrgiakos played a high ball to Prso who nodded the ball to the Spanaird but McKenzie brilliantly saved his left-foot shot.

From the resulting corner, the Greek, who was becoming an instant hero to the Gers' faithful, powered a header towards goal but Jason Dair cleared the ball off the line.

Livi continued to look dangerous from set-pieces due to the pace of Burton O'Brien's deliveries but Marvin Andrews continued to thwart his former side by winning every almost every header in the box.

Alex McLeish would have been disappointed that his side were unable to double their lead prior to half-time but would have pleased with his side's first-half performance.

The second period continued in a similar vein with Rangers dominating proceedings and Namouchi should have scored the home side's second in the first minute of the re-start.

Andrews played a tremendous pass to Prso on the left wing and he played a first-time pass in to Novo who had moved from the right wing in to the penalty box.

The ball, however, deflected off a Livi defender and fell to Namouchi who blazed his left-foot shot over the bar, much to the frustration of the Gers' support.

Allan McGregor was then called in to action on 52 minutes when Gustaffe Bahoken played a long ball in to the Gers' box and Andrews and Ball both challenged each other. The ball fell to Lilley but McGregor dived bravely at his feet and took a head knock for his efforts.

The home support were becoming increasingly impatient with their side's inability to finish the game off and Namouchi was again the culprit when he produced a poor effort after good work from Prso.

Livi captain Burton O'Brien was the first player to find himself in the referee's notebook after he flattened Alex Rae with a late challenge. There was no argument from the midfielder and he accepted his punishment.

Defender Emmanuel Dorado then received a further yellow card on 63 minutes after Dado Prso released Novo with a perfect pass. The Spaniard chested the ball down before being brought down by Dorado 25 yards from goal.

From the resulting free-kick, Fernando Ricksen showed his undoubted ability from set-pieces when he swerved a superb right-foot shot past McKenzie to make it 2-0.

The relief in the stadium was palpable and it looked like the floodgates had been opened when Novo got on the act and scored a third on 67 minutes.

Prso picked up the ball on the left and played a deep cross to Buffel. He volleyed the ball across goal and Novo was on hand to divert the ball in to the net from six yards.

Alex McLeish decided to freshen up his side by bringing Steven Thompson on for Prso and the striker received a standing ovation from the Gers' support for his work-rate and determination.

Alex Rae had another effective game in the centre of midfield and almost scored a fourth due to a bit of quick thinking.

Roddy McKenzie beat Thompson to the ball before it was running out for a corner but his clearance went straight to Rae 30 yards from goal. With an empty goal before him, Rae tried his luck but his dipping shot went wide of the target.

With the game won and three points already in the bag, Novo then tried to go one better than his team-mate when he picked the ball up on the half-way line and tried to chip McKenzie who, again, had came off his line.

Fortunately for the keeper, he managed to get back and comfortably catch the ball.

Former Dundee United midfielder tried his luck from 20 yards with seven minutes remaining but his shot failed to trouble McGregor. who must have been relieved to keep a clean sheet on his first Gers appearance of the season.

Rangers kept hold of posession in the dying minutes and Alex McLeish will have been delighted to see his side  pick up all three points and move back to the top of the SPL table.

RANGERS: McGregor, Ricksen, Buffel, Andrews, Rae, Prso (Thompson 70), Novo, Kyrgiakos, Ball, Ross, Djordjic (Namouchi 28)

Subs Not Used: Smith (GK), Burke, Hutton, Malcolm, Hughes

LIVINGSTON: McKenzie, Dorado, Bahoken, O'Brien, Hand (Brittain 78), Vincze, Kriston (Easton  67), Lilley, Dair, Rubio, Wilson

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, McPake, Horvath, Harding, Stanic

Bookings: O'Brien, Dorado

REFEREE: Kevin Toner

ATTENDANCE: 48,579