NEW season, same outcomes. A Premiership win? Check. A clean sheet? Check. Unbeaten at Ibrox? Check.

Rangers ticked those boxes off one by one on their way to the Premiership title last term. Steven Gerrard’s side would pick up where they left off and start as they mean to go on as the defence of their crown began.

The champions didn’t unfurl the league flag ahead of the visit of Livingston but they did get their first three points on the board as goals from Ianis Hagi, Scott Wright and Kemar Roofe got them off and running at Ibrox.

In terms of the performance, it is safe to say there is room for improvement. In terms of the result, the win was all that mattered as Gerrard’s side look to build early momentum this term.

The sight of supporters in the stands on the opening weekend was as heartening as it was welcomed. Ibrox may not have been full, but the volume was still turned up.

The stadium would fall silent before kick-off to pay tribute to Ally Dawson. The former Rangers captain passed away this week at the age of 63 and Rangers would remember a fine servant to the club.

Those that took their seats would no doubt have had friends and family in mind as they returned home and got back into the matchday routine.

The emotion of last season has been replaced by excitement this term, but those who started ‘The Journey’ but would sadly not see the end will forever be remembered.

It was a day where three points were at stake, but an occasion that meant so much for a variety of reasons. It had been a decade in the making and there was no chance that Gerrard’s side would fail to make the most of it.

As the manager, his staff and his players took a knee to reaffirm their anti-racism message, one which captain James Tavernier had addressed in an open letter on Friday, their stance was applauded by supporters. When the action got underway, the outpouring of noise was visceral.

It would take Rangers just eight minutes to break the deadlock. The lead wasn’t added to before the interval, but the champions were controlled and assured as Livingston did well to keep themselves in the game.

The finish from Hagi combined poise and power. The Romanian drifted to the back post as Tavernier lined up a free-kick wide on the right and found space for himself as the ball dropped to him just a few yards from target.

Hagi could have elected to hit it first time, but he showed an awareness to shift the ball inside before firing it beyond Max Stryjek. Ibrox would roar once again.

The assist from Tavernier will surely be the first of many this season, and Hagi should be expecting to move into the mid-teens in terms of goals after scoring nine times during his first full campaign at Ibrox.

His afternoon would come to a premature end, though. A reckless lunge from Adam Lewis left Hagi requiring treatment on the far side and it was clear that he was in some discomfort in the aftermath.

Eventually, he would be forced off. The anger from supporters and frustration for Hagi was clear and he received a consoling pat on the back from Gerrard as he was replaced by Wright.

By that stage at the half hour mark, Rangers had come close on a couple of occasions to the second goal that would have ended the game as a contest.

Stryjek would hold a deflected strike from Ryan Kent, but it was his earlier stop from Joe Aribo that was more impressive. At his near post, he showed quick reactions to palm away Aribo’s effort that was hit down into the ground.

Those early chances and the goal from Hagi were encouraging for Rangers. After that, there wasn’t enough to really excite the Ibrox crowd.

The champions were not under any threat, but Livingston would reach the break level and then remain compact enough to ensure Rangers didn’t start the second half as brightly as the first.

Wright fired over from the edge of the area and later saw a header saved by Stryjek. Kent was arguably their most likely source of a goal and another effort from range came to nothing.

David Martindale would have been pleased by the manner in which Livingston had gained something of a foothold in the encounter, or not been overwhelmed at least.

There was no cutting edge to their play, though, and the clock ticked on towards a seemingly inevitable defeat. With 12 minutes remaining, their fate was sealed.

It was done so in some style, too, as Wright capped a fine showing with a wonderful finish. From the right side of the area, he curled a shot beyond Stryjek with the outside of his foot to seal the win.

With seconds to spare, Roofe added a shine to the scoreline. As the ball bobbled in the area, the striker was alert and his instincts paid off as he poked home from close range to ensure Rangers finished with a flourish on their big day.

The next one arrives quickly for Gerrard’s side. The meeting with Malmo on Tuesday marks their return to the Champions League as Rangers take to European competition once again and set their sights on the group stages.

Improvements will need to be found before then. It may be a new season, but the same outcome can be expected on the continent.