Dunfermline 1 Rangers 4: McCulloch breaks duck to spark stirring Gers fightback
Lee McCulloch grabbed his first goal of the season as Rangers fought back from behind to claim a 4-1 win and deny Dunfermline their first home victory of the campaign in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
McCulloch played as a striker earlier in his career and delivered the goods after starting up front at East End Park, as Daniel Cousin – set for a return to Ibrox – looked on from the stand.
McCulloch struck after David Healy cancelled out Andy Kirk's shock opener and Sone Aluko and Salim Kerkar then added a goal apiece in the second half to earn Rangers all three points.
Happy days: Lee McCulloch (second right) celebrates his goal with team-mates David Healy, Lee Wallace, Carlos Bocanegra and Maurice Edu
Rangers made one change from the side who crashed out of the William Hill Scottish Cup to Dundee United last week for the clash with the Pars.
MATCH FACTS
DUNFERMLINE: Smith, Rutkiewicz, Keddie, Boyle, McMillan, Kerr (Hardie, 65), Mason (Cardle, 76), Burns, Kirk, Graham, Buchanan (Thomson, 74).
Subs not used: Goodfellow, Dowie, Willis, /02/11/article-2099747-11AE4254000005DC-314_634x341.jpg” width=”634″ height=”341″ alt=”Net buster: Andy Kirk's strike gave Dunfermline a surprise lead at East End Park” class=”blkBorder” />
Net buster: Andy Kirk's strike gave Dunfermline a surprise lead at East End Park
Rangers were back on level terms within eight minutes when Maurice Edu saw his shot blocked by the goalkeeper after a one-two with McCulloch, and Healy pounced to rifle the loose ball into the back of the net.
The Scottish champions were threatening again when skipper Steven Davis had a go and his shot bounced onto the crossbar and over.
The visitors continued to press for a second goal and a Davis corner eventually broke for Carlos Bocanegra but his volley was well off target.
All smiles: Sone Aluko is congratulated by Mervan Celik after scoring his strike
The pressure paid off after 39 minutes when a Davis free-kick found Bocanegra and he teed up the shot for McCulloch to lash home his first goal of the season.
McCulloch could have added to his tally shortly after the restart when he met a Healy cross and nodded just over.
Rangers made a double change with just over an hour gone when Kirk Broadfoot – back from injury – and Celik were thrown into the action for Kyle Bartley and Healy.
Thumbs up: rangers new signing Daniel Cousin was impressed with his side's win
Rangers increased their lead further after 70 minutes when Aluko raced onto a pass from McCulloch and sent an unstoppable left-foot shot into the top corner from 25 yards.
The winger then came to the rescue at the other end when he cleared an Alex Keddie header off the line.
Celik could have added his own name to the scoresheet with a swerving effort that dipped just over the crossbar.
It was another substitute, Kerkar, who had the final say when he dispatched a low shot past Smith with five minutes to go after a couple of minutes on the park.