“I HAD TO TELL THE REFEREE ‘WELL-DONE’ — HE WAS RANGERS’ BEST PLAYER TONIGHT!” — STEVEN MCCLEAN LAUNCHES STUNNING ATTACK AFTER RANGERS’ 2-1 WIN OVER FALKIRK

Rangers have secured another important Scottish Premiership victory, but their hard-fought 2-1 win over Falkirk has already sparked plenty of debate.

Lawrence Shankland was once again the hero for Rangers, scoring twice to rescue all three points for Derek McInnes’ side at the Falkirk Stadium.

But while Rangers supporters celebrated another victory, Falkirk manager John McGlynn was left to reflect on a frustrating night in which his side pushed the visitors all the way.

And with Steven McLean in charge, the officiating is also expected to become part of the post-match discussion.

Rangers came into the match looking to build on their narrow victory over Aberdeen and put together back-to-back league wins.

They wasted little time making their intentions clear.

Just eight minutes into the game, Shankland opened the scoring after Rangers produced a sweeping attacking move.

The Rangers captain finished the move to put his side 1-0 ahead and give the visitors the perfect start.

Falkirk, however, refused to collapse.

McGlynn’s side gradually grew into the match and began asking questions of the Rangers defence.

The Bairns eventually got their reward just before half-time.

A dangerous Falkirk delivery caused problems inside the Rangers penalty area, and Kosta Nedeljkovic inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 44th minute.

Suddenly, the game was level.

Rangers had dominated periods of possession but found themselves facing a Falkirk side that believed they could take something from the match.

The second half became increasingly tense.

Both teams had opportunities, but Rangers were struggling to find the decisive moment.

McGlynn’s players defended with determination and appeared capable of frustrating the visitors for long periods.

Then came the moment that changed everything.

With the clock approaching the final stages, Shankland struck again.

The Rangers captain found the back of the net in the 79th minute to restore Rangers’ lead and put his team within touching distance of another three points.

Falkirk pushed desperately for an equaliser during the closing stages, but Rangers managed to hold on.

The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 Rangers victory.

For Shankland, it was another outstanding individual performance.

The Rangers skipper has now become the difference-maker in consecutive league matches, having also scored the winner against Aberdeen.

But for Falkirk, there was frustration rather than celebration.

McGlynn will feel his team did enough to make the match far more uncomfortable for Rangers than the final score suggests.

Falkirk created opportunities, responded after falling behind and fought their way back into the game before eventually conceding the decisive goal.

The Bairns also had to contend with several difficult moments involving referee Steven McLean.

While Rangers supporters will argue that their side deserved the victory, Falkirk supporters are likely to question some of the decisions made throughout the contest.

That is where the post-match debate could become particularly heated.

McLean’s performance is likely to be scrutinised by both sets of supporters, especially after a match in which the margin between the two teams was extremely small.

For Rangers, however, the most important thing is the result.

This was not a comfortable victory.

It was not a dominant performance.

But it was another three points.

And that could prove extremely valuable as Rangers attempt to keep pace with Celtic at the top end of the Scottish Premiership.

Derek McInnes’ side have now followed their victory at Aberdeen with another away win, giving Rangers some much-needed momentum after a difficult start to the domestic campaign.

There were still worrying moments defensively, particularly with Nedeljkovic’s own goal and Falkirk’s ability to create opportunities.

But Rangers once again had the player capable of producing the decisive moment.

Shankland.

Two goals from the Rangers captain were enough to break Falkirk’s resistance and send the travelling supporters home celebrating.

For McGlynn, meanwhile, the result will be difficult to swallow.

His side showed character, recovered from conceding an early goal and competed against one of Scotland’s biggest clubs.

But ultimately, they left the Falkirk Stadium empty-handed.

And as Rangers celebrate another three points, the questions surrounding the performance, the officiating and Falkirk’s missed opportunities are likely to continue long after the final whistle.

Rangers won.

Shankland delivered again.

But judging by the reaction from Falkirk, this story may not be over yet.