Match ends, Rangers 1, Falkirk 0.
Rangers 1-0 Falkirk
- From the section Scottish Championship
Billy King came off the bench to mark his Rangers debut with a late goal and give the Scottish Championship leaders victory over Falkirk.
King, who joined Mark Warburton's side on loan from Hearts on Thursday, headed home James Tavernier's cross in stoppage time.
Blustery conditions affected both teams and chances were scarce.
Blair Alston nodded over for the Bairns early on and Tavernier had an effort saved by Danny Rogers.
The result extends Rangers' advantage over third-place Falkirk to 10 points. Hibs, who beat St Johnstone in Saturday's League Cup semi-final, are two points ahead of Peter Houston's side.
Like Rangers, the visitors named a newcomer on the bench - forward Miles Hippolyte - following his recent move from Livingston.
Alston squandered a great chance inside the first two minutes as he headed over Wes Foderingham's goal and then Tavernier's strike tested Rogers.
The Bairns keeper was also forced to scramble back and tip over his crossbar after Dean Shiels overhit his cross.
The clearest chance of the half came when Will Vaulks' fierce hit forced Foderingham to palm back into traffic and Danny Wilson blocked John Baird's rebound effort on the goal-line.
Kenny Miller did have the ball in Falkirk's net just after the restart but the striker had wandered offside.
Foderingham was again smart with his reflexes to deny Conor McGrandles' strike soon after.
Wingers King and Harry Forrester were introduced by manager Mark Warburton, with Miller and Nicky Law withdrawn, and the hosts eventually got the winner they craved when King met Tavernier's delivery.
Line-ups
Rangers
- 25Foderingham
- 2Tavernier
- 4Kiernan
- 27Wilson
- 5Wallace
- 7LawSubstituted forForresterat 61'minutes
- 6Ball
- 22ShielsSubstituted forZelalemat 77'minutes
- 33Waghorn
- 9MillerSubstituted forKingat 60'minutes
- 19McKay
Substitutes
- 1Bell
- 8Zelalem
- 14Clark
- 15Forrester
- 17King
- 42Hardie
- 62Burt
Falkirk
- 1Rogers
- 4Muirhead
- 44Watson
- 14GrantBooked at 52mins
- 3LeahyBooked at 49mins
- 11Kerr
- 24McGrandlesSubstituted forTaiwoat 62'minutes
- 8AlstonBooked at 53mins
- 6Vaulks
- 10SibbaldSubstituted forHippolyteat 90+2'minutes
- 9BairdSubstituted forO'Haraat 90+2'minutes
Substitutes
- 5McCracken
- 7Taiwo
- 17Smith
- 18Miller
- 22Hippolyte
- 28Mehmet
- 30O'Hara
- Referee:
- Kevin Clancy
- Attendance:
- 46,980
Match Stats
Home TeamRangersAway TeamFalkirk
- Possession
- Home60%
- Away40%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away3
- Corners
- Home9
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away10
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, Rangers 1, Falkirk 0.
Substitution
Substitution, Falkirk. Myles Hippolyte replaces Craig Sibbald.
Substitution
Substitution, Falkirk. Kevin O'Hara replaces John Baird.
Goal!
Goal! Rangers 1, Falkirk 0. Billy King (Rangers) header from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by James Tavernier with a cross.
Foul by Harry Forrester (Rangers).
Craig Sibbald (Falkirk) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Gedion Zelalem (Rangers).
Blair Alston (Falkirk) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Attempt saved. Gedion Zelalem (Rangers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Attempt saved. Billy King (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Attempt missed. Will Vaulks (Falkirk) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Substitution
Substitution, Rangers. Gedion Zelalem replaces Dean Shiels.
Attempt blocked. Will Vaulks (Falkirk) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Foul by Rob Kiernan (Rangers).
Blair Alston (Falkirk) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Dean Shiels (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Craig Sibbald (Falkirk).
Billy King (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Luke Leahy (Falkirk).
Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Paul Watson.
Corner, Falkirk. Conceded by James Tavernier.
Foul by James Tavernier (Rangers).
John Baird (Falkirk) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt saved. Paul Watson (Falkirk) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Corner, Falkirk. Conceded by James Tavernier.
Billy King (Rangers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Luke Leahy (Falkirk).
Substitution
Substitution, Falkirk. Tom Taiwo replaces Conor McGrandles.
Substitution
Substitution, Rangers. Harry Forrester replaces Nicky Law.
Substitution
Substitution, Rangers. Billy King replaces Kenny Miller.
Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Luke Leahy.
Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Mark Kerr.
Attempt saved. Will Vaulks (Falkirk) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Foul by James Tavernier (Rangers).
Craig Sibbald (Falkirk) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Blair Alston (Falkirk) is shown the yellow card.
Dominic Ball (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by John Baird (Falkirk).
Attempt blocked. James Tavernier (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.