Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership

Rangers maintained their pursuit of Premiership leaders Celtic with a hard-fought win over Livingston - but lost Ryan Kent to a hamstring injury.

The £7m signing lasted 40 minutes in his first game since joining permanently from Liverpool.

Rangers fell behind to Steven Lawless's second-half penalty but Alfredo Morelos and James Tavernier struck back.

Livingston's Lyndon Dykes was sent off before Brandon Barker completed the scoring late on.

Kent was included in the starting line-up after completing his move from Anfield late in the transfer window to become Rangers' second most expensive signing.

He looked distraught has he left the field, but his team-mates reacted positively to the setback of falling a goal behind to stay three points behind Celtic, who won earlier in the day.

Dykes saw red with his side 2-1 down after receiving a second yellow card after being judged by referee Willie Collum to have landed an elbow on Ibrox centre-back Connor Goldson.

Rangers find strength in adversity

Until the 40th minute, Rangers manager Steven Gerrard would have been vexed only by his side's failure to convert their chances.

A dominant display was the foundation for Morelos to shoot over from a good position and to see his close-range header saved by Livingston goalkeeper Ross Stewart.

In between those efforts, Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield struck the crossbar with a drilled effort from the edge of the area.

Rangers winger Ryan Kent lasted 40 minutes against Livingston before limping off with a hamstring injury

Five minutes before the break, though, Kent limped off, wiping his eyes with his jersey. He had been a lively presence, and was clearly affected by the need to leave the field through injury.

Rangers endured more suffering after the break when Arfield's trip sent Dykes to the ground inside the penalty area and Lawless calmly converted the spot kick.

The occasion demanded a show of resolve from the home side, and Livingston's lead lasted only eight minutes. Tavernier delivered the equaliser with a free-kick that evaded everyone inside the penalty area and bounced into the net.

Livingston still carried a threat, and Chris Erskine sent a header against the crossbar, but Rangers refused to wilt and took the lead when Morelos converted Joe Aribo's flick with a powerful header.

With Dykes sent off and Barker completing the scoring, the dismay firmly settled on Livingston. Rangers faced their own anxiety following the final whistle, though, with Kent's injury to be assessed.