DAVID MARTINDALE reckons Rangers' margin of victory flattered them at Ibrox as the champions ran out 3-0 winners over Livingston on the opening day of the campaign.

Livingston found themselves behind after just eight minutes as Ianis Hagi opened the scoring for Steven Gerrard's side but Rangers lacked cutting edge as they controlled proceedings for large swathes of the afternoon.

A fine strike from Scott Wright clinched the win for the Light Blues before Kemar Roofe added a third late on as he converted from close range to clinch a comfortable win.

Livingston offered little threat of their own in defeat but Martindale was pleased with aspects of their play as the attempted to stifle Rangers.

Martindale said: “First half, it took us about 15 minutes to get to grips with their shape and what they were trying to do. We knew we were going to spend a lot of time in our own half to be honest.

“Disappointed in the goal. Really disappointed because it has come from a set play and a set play that we have got to defend better.

“Fairly happy at half-time after the first 15 minutes. Although you go a goal down, and it is from a set play, I don’t think Max had a save to make so we limited Rangers’ chances in the first half.

“Second half, it is always going to be tough but as it is 1-0 you have always got a chance in the game.

“We limited their chances again, then they score the second and I have go down to ten men with a man coming off injured. As soon as you at are 2-0 with ten men at Ibrox, you are done.

“That is how the game went. I think Rangers definitely deserved to win the game but I think 3-0 flattered them slightly if I am honest."