Rangers defeat Falkirk 1-0

Following a controversy laden week, the Rangers turned in a positive direction with a 1-0 victory over Falkirk. While few would call a close victory over relegation threatened side a cause for celebration, after the Ferguson - McGregor debacle, the result is received warmly. The result leaves the Gers climb three points Celtic with seasons end fast approaching.

With the changes veteran Neil Alexander took McGregor's spot between the posts with David Weir taking the armband. Important to note, young John Fleck returned to the starting fold after an unexplained drop of recent. While the Gers attack was far less than exemplary throughout the full ninety minutes, they started with a flourish netting the winning strike in the ninth minute.

In a clever build-up of play Pedro Mendes and Nacho Novo linked up with the later crossing the ball back to Kris Boyd to send to the back of the net from five metres. Up by one the Rangers attack was drained to a lifeless trickle with the rare opportunities perishing with a dreadful final touch. Falkirk, locked in a death spiral towards relegation, punched back but couldn't find a clear break through. Burton O'Brien and Carl Finnigan came within a whisper of leveling after the restart and try as they may, Falkirk couldn't find the final touch and the Rangers claimed a 2-1 victory.

Following the match Walter Smith summed up the day perfectly:

"It's the most important thing in any football match to win and that was the case today.

"I was a little bit disappointed with our possession throughout the match and we were really untidy.

"We have, I feel, been playing some good football recently but right from the very start here, we didn't have any sustained possession of the ball.

"We gave up a number of good opportunities, particularly in the first half, and never managed to make anything of them apart from our goal early on.

"Overall though, we are delighted to have won. I don't think it would be unexpected for the players to be affected by what has happened this week but they are a resilient group."