Rangers put their European disappointment behind them with a 1-0 victory over Falkirk in the SPL.
Falkirk pay price of missed penalty
Rangers put their European disappointment behind them with a 1-0 victory over Falkirk in the SPL on Saturday.
Andrius Velicka scored in the 64th minute to give the Glasgow giants a winning domestic start after they had been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Lithuanian side FBK Kaunas on Tuesday.
Rangers enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, with a series of half-chances, including Kris Boyd almost getting onto a long ball in the fourth minute.
After surviving the early onslaught, the home side then came more into the game, and held good possession at times.
Golden chance
A golden chance eventually fell to Michael Higdon in the 16th minute following a Kevin McBride cross from the right, but the striker shot over from 10 yards with the goal at his mercy.
The home side continued to dominate but lacked a cutting edge, with Rangers' biggest scare coming when Christian Dailly's back-pass on 25 minutes caused keeper Allan McGregor to mis-cue but the ball went wide of the goal.
But the Glasgow giants eventually came back into the game and won a free-kick in front of goal in the 34th minute, but Boyd drove his effort into the wall.
Soon afterwards Gers' Kevin Thomson made a cross-field run to shoot from the right edge of the box, but keeper Robert Olejnik saved.
Boyd then had a shot blocked by Darren Barr in the box before having his close-range effort from a corner saved on the line by Olejnik.
Gers than had another chance when Steven Whittaker made a driving run from the left but his shot was deflected two minutes before half-time.
Penalty save
In the second period, Falkirk won a penalty in the 49th minute when Whittaker brought down McBride from behind.
Higdon tried to place the ball into the goal but his kick lacked power and McGregor managed to save to his left.
Falkirk then had another chance in the 52nd minute but Russell Latapy's free-kick was deflected for a corner.
But Rangers took the lead in the 64th minute when Boyd flicked on a long ball to Kyle Lafferty who crossed from the right for Velicka - who was due to be substituted - to score from close range.
They could have gone further in front when Lee McCulloch's shot flashed just wide four minutes later and Boyd's header looped inches wide on 77 minutes, but deservedly held on for the three points.
