Shankland Double Gives Rangers 2-1 Win at Falkirk

Lawrence Shankland scored twice as Rangers earned a 2-1 Scottish Premiership victory away to Falkirk on Wednesday night. The captain struck early and then restored the visitors' lead in the 79th minute, giving Derek McInnes' team back-to-back league wins after a difficult opening to the campaign.

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Sky Sports reported that Shankland opened the scoring after eight minutes at Falkirk Stadium. He collected a pass from Djeidi Gassama and finished emphatically to put Rangers in front. The goal continued his productive week after he converted a penalty in Sunday's 1-0 victory away to Aberdeen.

Rangers could not preserve their advantage until the interval. Shortly before half-time, full-back Kosta Nedeljkovic turned an Ethan Ross cross into his own net, bringing Falkirk level at 1-1. The equalizer changed the shape of the contest after Rangers had appeared in control for much of the opening period.

Falkirk applied greater pressure after the restart and created opportunities to move ahead, according to the Press Association match report. Rangers goalkeeper Ivor Pandur made an important save during a difficult passage for the visitors, while Shankland also passed up a chance to reclaim the lead before eventually delivering the decisive moment.

With 11 minutes of regulation time remaining, Shankland curled in his second goal to make it 2-1. Rangers then saw out the closing stages to collect all three points. The result left Falkirk still searching for their first league win of the season, while Rangers followed their success at Aberdeen with another away victory.

Rangers' official website reported that the two goals were Shankland's first from open play for the club. The striker said afterward that he was pleased with both finishes but placed greater emphasis on the victory and the togetherness shown by the team. McInnes, who watched from the stand while serving a touchline suspension, also praised his players' character and highlighted the composure Shankland displayed after missing an earlier opportunity. The victory also gave Rangers valuable momentum in the league.