Introduction

Falkirk came up short in a 2-1 defeat to Rangers at the Falkirk Stadium on Wednesday night.

Lawrence Shankland gave the visitors the lead after eight minutes, but an own goal from Rangers’ Kosta Nedeljković drew John McGlynn’s side level on the stroke of half-time.

It was the away side who had the final say, however, with Shankland grabbing his second in the 79th minute to give Rangers all three points.

The experts from Andy’s Bet Club will be reviewing all of our games in the 2026/27 season, and you can find more of the free football tips they offer on their website.

Attack

Falkirk had ten shots with six on target against Rangers on Wednesday night, for an xG of 1.54.

While they didn’t find the back of the net, they did draw level via an own goal from Rangers’ Kosta Nedeljković.

Jacob Murrell was the Bairns’ main attacking threat with an xG of 1.15 (75% of Falkirk’s total chance value). This included a headed effort in the 60th minute worth 0.51 xG.

Falkirk did apply pressure on the Rangers goal, with keeper Ivor Pandur forced into six saves (four of them reflex stops).

Defence

Rangers edged the attacking stats on Wednesday night, with 16 shots (six on target) for an xG of 2.39.

Shankland, unsurprisingly, had the highest xG of any Rangers player (0.92), having given shots and scoring twice from his two shots on target.

Scott Bain made four saves from six shots faced, including a save from Rangers’ Emmanuel Fernandez worth 0.53 xG.

Rangers’ PPDA (passes per defensive action) inside the final two-thirds of the pitch was 12.0 against Falkirk’s own 14.4, a slightly higher press from the visitors. 

Possession

Rangers had 52% possession on Wednesday night, and completed 344 of their 440 passes (78%). 

The home side completed 309 of their 401 passes (77%), very close to Rangers’ percentage.

Progressive passes were also similar, 36 of 60 for Falkirk (60%), against 45 of 79 for Rangers (57%).

24 of Rangers’ 108 possessions reached the Falkirk penalty area (22%), against 12 of 106 the other way (11%). 

Set pieces

John McGlynn’s Falkirk won five corners to Rangers’ six on Wednesday, one of which resulted in a shot, the same as Rangers.

Players

Jacob Murrell was Falkirk’s main attacking threat with a combined xG of 1.15, the highest return of any player from either side.

Falkirk’s Finley Barbrook had the highest xA of any player on the pitch, including two key passes.

Scott Bain’s four saves included a crucial stop on Fernandez’s header worth 0.53 with Falkirk already chasing the game.

For Rangers, Lawrence Shankland scored both goals from different chances, worth 0.36 and 0.74, with Djeidi Gassama and Ross McCrorie each credited with an assist.

Conclusion

Falkirk won more of the game’s individual battles than the scoreline suggests: 51% of all duels and 30 opponent-half recoveries to Rangers’ 20, and Jacob Murrell alone created xG that was competitive with Rangers’.

Creating the same volume of chances again while finding a way to convert one of them is the clearest gain to carry forward ahead of Saturday’s game with Dundee United.

Check out Andy’s Bet Club for further match analysis.