Sky Live: Rangers aim to burst Livingston bubble on Sunday
Watch live on Sky Sports Football from 1pm on Sunday
Saturday 29 September 2018 18:09, UK
Rangers travel to Livingston on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Football, looking to end their hosts' bright start to the season.
In their first season back in the Scottish Premiership following promotion last season, Livingston are fourth after six games and trail second-placed Rangers only on goal difference, with both sitting on 11 points.
After Livi's 0-0 draw at league leaders Hearts last weekend - which made them the first team to take points off Craig Levein's team this season - Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is not taking their opponents lightly ahead of Sunday's game, live on Sky Sports Football from 1pm.
He said: "We are in for a very tough game again and we know it is a huge three points. That is all I am focused on at the moment. We are delighted to qualify in a cup through the week and we look forward to that semi-final, but all our focus now is now on Livingston.
"They are going very well and started the season very strongly. They beat Hibs at home, and Hibs are a good team while they went to Hearts - who are flying - and got a respectable 0-0."
Livingston manager Gary Holt said the club receiving nationwide TV coverage against Rangers was a sign of how far they have come following back-to-back promotions, having played in the third tier less than 18 months ago.
He said: "This is now the level the club are at - live TV games, full houses and big crowds. The players have earned the right, they've deserved it.
"That's the mentality we want to instil in the players, that they deserve to be playing in these environments.
"It was a very professional performance against Hearts and that is the levels we need to produce day in, day out."
Team news
Gareth McAuley will be in contention for his first Rangers appearance when Steven Gerrard's men head to Livingston on Sunday.
Live SPFL
The veteran Northern Ireland defender - who joined his boyhood heroes earlier this month - has been prevented from making his debut by a calf complaint but has now resumed full training.
Midfielder Ryan Jack (calf) sits out once more alongside long-term knee injury victim Jamie Murphy but Kyle Lafferty is available once more after being cup-tied for the midweek Betfred Cup win over Ayr.
Lee Miller and Craig Sibbald are still absent for Livingston, while Ryan Hardie, on loan from Rangers, is ineligible to face his parent club.
