MX23RW : Sunday, November 22 06:25:19| >> :120:44046:44046:
Nov 8, 2020 at 3pm UK at Ibrox Stadium
RangersRangers
8-0
HamiltonHamilton Academical
Arfield (16'), Roofe (18', 54'), Aribo (19', 36'), Barker (62'), Tavernier (65' pen., 69')
FT(HT: 4-0)

Moyo (22'), Callachan (26')

Result: Impressive Rangers put eight goals past Hamilton Academical at Ibrox

Result: Impressive Rangers put eight goals past Hamilton Academical at Ibrox
© Reuters
The victory is the biggest of Steven Gerrard's reign.

Rampant Rangers racked up the biggest win of Steven Gerrard's reign as they hammered hapless Hamilton 8-0 at Ibrox.

Scott Arfield got the onslaught started as Gers struck three times in three first-half minutes to kill the game early.

The Light Blues have been threatening to dish out an almighty beating for much of this season and unfortunately for Brian Rice's basement boys, they were the team to feel the full wrath of the unbeaten Premiership leaders as Gers scored eight goals in the top-flight for the first time since 1981.

Kemar Roofe, Joe Aribo and James Tavernier all scored doubles while Brandon Barker was also on the scoresheet as Gers maintained their nine-point lead at the top.

Old Firm foes Celtic do have two games in hand but this huge win now gives Gerrard's team a healthy advantage in the goal difference stakes, with their tally 13 better off than the Hoops.

Gerrard freshened up his team yet again after Thursday's 3-3 draw with Benfica in Lisbon as Jon McLaughlin, Leon Balogun, Arfield, Jermain Defoe and Roofe came in.

Accies had striker David Moyo up front as he looked to repeat his shock winner against the Light Blues in March.

That 1-0 defeat proved to be Gers' last game before lockdown ultimately brought an end to what had been a nightmare second half to last season as Celtic were crowned champions.

But things could hardly be any different eight months on as Gers blew Accies away to keep a firm grip on this year's championship lead.

They threatened twice early on but when Ben Stirling and Hakeem Odoffin collided in a fashion similar to Scotland pair Willie Miller and Alan Hansen back at the 1982 World Cup on 16 minutes, it sparked a complete Accies collapse.

Rangers v Hamilton Academical – Scottish Premiership – Ibrox Stadium
Scott Arfield opened the scoring (Jane Barlow/PA)

Defoe was quick to pounce on the pair's mistake as he rolled the ball down the left for Kent, who squared for Arfield to sweep home into an unguarded net.

Rice's team were still recovering from that setback when Rangers struck again two minutes later, with Roofe beating both Stirling and team-mate Kent to Tavernier's cross to power his header down into the bottom corner.

And Rangers made it three in three minutes when Kent and Arfield combined to find Aribo in the box, with the former Charlton man twisting into shooting space before unleashing a finish that squirmed past Fulton.

That put the game to bed with 70 minutes left.

The hosts had a couple of other chances but number four did not arrive until the 36th minute asTavernier sent a teasing ball to the back post. It was just out of Defoe's reach but Roofe recovered it well before teeing up Aribo again, with his strike taking a touch off Collar on its way into the net.

Rangers v Ross County – Scottish Premiership – Ibrox Stadium
Calvin Bassey got some action (Jeff Holmes/PA)

With that handsome four-goal lead Gerrard was able to make some changes at half-time as Bongani Zungu was given his debut as he and Calvin Bassey replaced Ryan Jack and Borna Barisic.

But Gers' hunger for goals remained just as ferocious and they netted again nine minutes after the restart. Kent's cross evaded Defoe's outstretched toe but when it bounced back off the far post, Roofe was perfectly positioned to ram home his second.

Bassey then led the charge on 61 minutes as he raced down the left before picking out Defoe on the edge of the box. The former England striker could have shot himself but unselfishly rolled the ball to Barker to fire home just moments after coming off the bench.

Jermain Defoe File Photo
Jermain Defoe was among the celebrations, but not the goals (Jane Barlow/PA)

Defoe might also have demanded to take the penalty four minutes later after he was hauled down by Odoffin but handed the ball over to Tavernier, who fired his spot-kick straight down the middle for number seven.

The skipper was in the right place at the right time three minutes to complete his double after Fulton parried a Roofe effort.

With eight goals, the only surprise was that Defoe was not among the scorers although the 38-year-old came close late on his as he thumped a close-range effort off the base of the post.

ID:421608:cQx
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Rangers defender Connor Goldson celebrates scoring against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on October 17, 2020
Read Next:
Rangers' Connor Goldson determined to rectify 'haunting' Hamilton mistake
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Premier League
Scottish Premiership
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Eredivisie
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
Russian Premier League
Ukrainian Premier League
Norwegian Eliteserien
Swedish Allsvenskan
Danish Superliga
Belarusian Premier League
Segunda Division
Serie B
2.Bundesliga
Major League Soccer
Brasileiro
Argentine Primera Division
Copa de la Liga Profesional
Uruguayan Primera Division
Liga MX
AFC Champions League
J1 League
Premier League 2 - Div 1
Gallagher Premiership
NFL
6pm
Eagles
@
Browns
6pm
Steelers
@
Jags
6pm
Lions
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Ravens
6pm
Falcons
@
Saints
6pm
Patriots
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Washington
9.05pm
Dolphins
@
Broncos
9.05pm
Jets
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Packers
@
Colts
9.25pm
Cowboys
@
Vikings
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1RangersRangers1412203733438
2Celtic1393134132130
3Aberdeen128221911826
4Hibernian147431914525
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd155551218-620
6Kilmarnock145271816217
7Motherwell134361518-315
8St Johnstone144371117-615
9Ross County153481026-1613
10Livingston153391424-1012
11St Mirren12327715-811
12Hamilton AcademicalHamilton1321101435-217

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!