Livingston boss admits his ‘game plan’ was to expose two Rangers stars

Livingston boss David Martindale has admitted that he intended to expose Rangers full-backs James Tavernier and Ridvan Yilmaz during Wednesday’s Scottish League Cup quarter-final game at Ibrox.

Despite their offensive abilities, the Rangers’ full-backs are not known for their defensive discipline.

Martindale’s tactical strategy for the midweek, last-eight meeting centred around isolating James Tavernier and Ridvan Yilmaz (selected ahead of Borna Barisic on the night) and tripling up, bursting through Mick Beale’s backline with rapid one-twos on the wing.

“We were getting one-v-ones with Tav (Tavernier), which was the game plan coming into it with Tav, Barisic or Yilmaz, whoever it was going to be,” Martindale says during full-time.

“I believe we accomplished that. But (in the opening) 20 minutes, we obviously did not defend well enough.”

Rangers easily defeat Livingston in the League Cup.
Abdallah Sima’s contentious early opening may not have completely ruined Livingston’s pre-match game plan. But that certainly threw a wrench in the works. A Rangers team reeling from the Sunday jeers but buoyed by a strong start at Ibrox.

Sima was fantastic. His best performance since joining Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer. Meanwhile, three more goals in the final half hour capped Rangers’ most commanding, confident home performance of the season, with Yilmaz celebrating a rare start with a well-taken finish before a Livi own goal and a late Ryan Jack icing on the cake.

“This is our third victory in seven days.” Another clean sheet, and we’re in the semi-finals, with Livingston failing to score. “It was a good night for us,” Beale grins after Rangers’ tense 1-0 victory over Motherwell and Real Betis (Rangers Review).

“We were more patient.” I think we could have sped up a little more at times, but our overall possession was much better than the weekend.”

‘I am overjoyed for Ridvan.’
Beale was also eager to single out Yilmaz. This was the left-back’s first goal for Rangers in only his 18th game after joining from Besiktas for £3.4 million.

“I was delighted for Ridvan,” the manager continues. “He’s had a rough year and a half with the Rangers.” In flashes, he demonstrated why the club invested in him and why he was such a major talent in Turkey and for the national team.

“Clearly, injuries have hampered him. Hopefully, this is the beginning of him demonstrating what we can do on a regular basis.”