David Martindale admits Livingston struggled to cope with match-winner Scott Arfield during Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to the Scottish Premiership champions, speaking to Football Scotland.
It felt like one of those games that would only be settled by a defensive howler or a flash of magic.
In the end, it was the latter, rather than the former, as a sluggish, uninspired Rangers side maintained their four point lead over Old Firm rivals Celtic at the top of the Premiership table.
The hosts had scarcely tested Max Stryjek in the Livingston goal until the 75th minute.
That was until Arfield, brought off the bench on the hour mark by Giovanni van Bronckhorst, lit up an otherwise forgettable encounter with a slice of rabbit-out-of-the-hat genius that would not have looked out of place in the gilded surroundings of the Santiago Bernabeu.
Could Scott Arfield’s goal be a title decider for Rangers?
Making one his trademark late bursts into the penalty area, Arfield flicked a Borna Barisic cross into the far corner of the Livingston net.
In fact, it wasn’t until the second or third viewing that you really realised just how special a finish this was.
A moment of Bergkamp-esque brilliance from a man who, even at 33, is can still be relied upon to produce match-changing contributions just when Rangers need them the most.
“In the second half especially, Rangers got behind us with some good combinations and put dangerous balls into our box,” sighs a disappointed Martindale.
“We dealt with 99 per cent of them well and then wee Scotty Arfield comes on and flicks one in at the near post.
“It was debatable if he was trying to finish it, to be fair, but he’s a clever player and his midfield runs are hard to deal with.”
It was hardly a performance that will live too long in the memory.
But do not underestimate the importance of three vital points secured in the absence of arguably Van Bronckhorst’s four most influential attackers; Ianis Hagi, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Joe Aribo.
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