Shankland at the double as Rangers win at Falkirk

Lawrence Shankland’s two goals secured Rangers’ second consecutive Scottish Premiership win, a 2-1 victory at Falkirk on Wednesday night that keeps the Ibrox side in fifth place while condemning John McGlynn’s side to another winless league outing.

Shankland’s strike partnership delivers again

The visitors started brightly, and it took just eight minutes for Shankland to open the scoring. Djeidi Gassama threaded a pass into his path, and the Rangers captain controlled the ball before firing past Ross Bain. The strike was clinical, but Falkirk responded almost immediately. A cross from Ross found Kosta Nedeljkovic, whose attempted clearance ricocheted into his own net, leveling the match at 1-1 before half-time.

Falkirk dominated the early exchanges after the break, with Jacob Murrell coming closest to restoring the hosts’ lead on his home debut. Aodhan Doherty then capitalized on a rare Rangers error, cutting inside from the right before slotting home the winner late in the game. It was a nervy finish, but Shankland’s brace—his first league goals of the season—ensured the points stayed in Glasgow.

The key moments came in quick succession: Shankland’s first goal (8’) arrived after a Gassama through-ball, while Nedeljkovic’s own goal (44’) stemmed from a Ross cross that Pandur failed to clear. Doherty’s winner (82’) followed a miscommunication between Pandur and Ross McCrorie, leaving the substitute with an unmarked finish inside the six-yard box.

McInnes sidelined as Rangers grind out another win

Derek McInnes watched from the stands after receiving a touchline ban for remarks made during his time at Hearts. His absence did little to disrupt Rangers’ rhythm, though their performance lacked the fluidity that has occasionally glimpsed this season. Falkirk, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom of the table, their winless run extending and their goal difference the worst in the division.

The Ibrox side’s defensive record remains a concern—Bain made three saves in the first half alone—but their attacking transitions, particularly through Gassama and Shankland, provided enough threat to secure all three points. McInnes’ return from suspension will be closely watched, with the next fixture against Motherwell offering a sterner test of Rangers’ current form.

Falkirk’s struggles deepen as title race drifts further away

John McGlynn’s side have now played four league games without a win, sitting only above Kilmarnock on goal difference. Their attacking creativity has been inconsistent, and despite Murrell’s bright cameo, they failed to fashion clear-cut chances with any regularity. The loss at home to Rangers—despite an equalizer—highlights the gulf between the sides in terms of league experience and squad depth.

Falkirk’s defensive frailties were exposed repeatedly, with Pandur forced into multiple saves and the backline stretched by Rangers’ direct approach. Murrell’s header (48’) was their best chance, but Bain’s reaction save denied the hosts a lead they arguably deserved. The Bairns’ next outing, away to Dundee United, represents a pivotal moment—another setback could see them slip further from safety.

For Rangers, Shankland’s goals will be crucial, but the midfield will need to provide more control if they are to sustain a push for European spots. McInnes’ side sit five points adrift of the top two but with a game in hand, and their next challenge will be to tighten their defensive shape while converting more of their possession into clear scoring opportunities. Falkirk, meanwhile, face an uphill battle just to avoid the bottom two. Their next outing offers a chance to rediscover some momentum, but the evidence from Wednesday suggests they will need a significant improvement to turn their season around.