Falkirk 0-1 Rangers

Aug 10 2008 Mark Guidi At Falkirk Stadium

ANDRIUS VELICKA saved Rangers from more pain with a vital winner then warned fans not to expect heroics from him all season. The summer signing from Viking Stavanger popped up to sink the Bairns after 63 minutes - just as gaffer Walter Smith was preparing to take him off.

His goal helped Rangers bounce back from their shock midweek Euro exit to Kaunas with a win in the SPL opener.

But they were pushed all the way by Falkirk and Allan McGregor saved a Michael Higdon penalty before Velicka netted on his first start for the club.

The Lithuanian - who was set to be replaced by Jean-Claude Darcheville before he pounced - was thrilled with his goal. But Velicka has been playing non-stop for a year and fears he could be knackered by Christmas.

He said: "I've been playing a lot of football and I'm in my stride.

"That might benefit me now but I don't know if it will in three or four months.

"However, it was good to score in my first start for Rangers and we now need to win the SPL. Losing to Kaunas was a disappointment but that is history. We won here and that's the main point.

"And don't forget the penalty save from Allan - it was a turning point."

Yesterday was all about winning for Rangers. However, look beyond the result and the warning signs are still evident. This is not a title-winning squad.

Several Gers players looked nervous. Even the experienced Christian Dailly was erratic and needlessly put McGregor in trouble with dodgy passbacks.

Dailly played at right-back and never looked comfortable. Boss Smith seems to have a problem in that position with Steven Whittaker also looking lost there at the start of the season.

With Davie Weir suspended and Carlos Cuellar injured the Ibrox gaffer had to make changes to his backline.

Cuellar sat in beside the Gers fans and the s10million-rated Spaniard watched Kirk Broadfoot and Madjid Bougherra form the centre-back pairing.

The duo were given a tough time of it thanks to the height and physical presence of Bairns hitman Higdon.

The striker had a chance to open the scoring in 17 minutes but screwed wide from less than 10 yards.

And Higdon was honest enough to later admit: "A top striker would have put that chance away."

Rangers carved out a couple of chances and John Stewart cleared a Bougherra effort off the line.

Kris Boyd also threatened twice but was denied by the excellent Bairns skipper Darren Barr.

Velicka slipped his strike pal through with a deft touch early on and Boyd was ready to pull the trigger. But Barr timed his tackle to perfection to expertly snuff out the chance.

Boyd's second chance came just before the break. He rattled in a shot from 15 yards that had goal written all over it only for Barr to charge the effort down. Home keeper Robert Olejnik earlier saved from Kevin Thomson but there wasn't too much for either keeper to worry about.

That changed just four minutes into the second half as the home team were awarded a spot-kick when Whittaker clipped Kevin McBride. Higdon stepped up and placed the ball to McGregor's left but the keeper showed good spring and parried it away.

It was a turning point as Rangers would have struggled to score twice. Falkirk heads went down although Gers still didn't threaten with Thomson and Lee McCulloch struggling to get a grip in midfield.

However, Smith's side grabbed the winner in 63 minutes.

Boyd flicked the ball on to Kyle Lafferty and he showed great awareness to slide it along the six-yard box where Velicka was waiting to tap home.

Boyd looped a header wide 13 minutes later before Rangers held out for the win - with Bougherra making some vital interceptions.

Falkirk boss John Hughes must have felt gutted by the result but Scott Arfield, Jackie McNamara and Barr all did well for him.

Russell Latapy was also different class. He showed great awareness and creativity and is exactly what Rangers need - even if he is 40.