Rangers reignited their Ladbrokes Premiership title push as Ryan Jack, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos fired Steven Gerrard’s side to a 3-0 win at Livingston.
Gerrard and skipper James Tavernier both admitted the Ibrox side could not afford another slip-up after losing to Kilmarnock in midweek.
But the Light Blues have clambered back above Steve Clarke’s men into second spot on goal difference and to within three points of leaders Celtic after producing a much more-assured display at the Tony Macaroni Arena than they managed in Ayrshire.
👊 @ryankent enjoyed his goal. pic.twitter.com/bZkXYvFPCN — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 27, 2019
Having paid the price of two mistakes against Killie, it was a little ironic that a blunder by Livi goalkeeper Liam Kelly cost Gary Holt’s side the opener.
Kent and Morelos made sure of the victory after the break to deny the Lions the chance to leapfrog Hibernian into seventh.
Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis were benched after their midweek debuts ended in defeat for Rangers but defender Joe Worrall kept his place despite his Rugby Park gaffe, while Livi striker Dolly Menga shook off a hamstring injury to start.
Gerrard ditched the midfield diamond he experimented with against Killie as he returned to the tried and trusted 4-3-3 system that served him well during the first half of the campaign and his side immediately looked more comfortable.
⚽️ @RangersFC ran out 3-0 winners away to @LiviFCOfficial in the Ladbrokes Premiership this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/2YlTnaBqJD — SPFL (@spfl) January 27, 2019
They twice came close to the opener inside the opening quarter as two Borna Barisic deliveries – the first from a corner, the second from wide on the left – found Ross McCrorie then Morelos but both saw their headers fly over.
Livi had frustrated Rangers back in September with a 1-0 smash-and-grab win and looked set for another sucker punch as Craig Halkett held off Nikola Katic before setting the ball back for Stevie Lawless – but the midfielder’s wayward strike soared wide.
But Gers were back on the front foot and should have netted after 21 minutes. Daniel Candeias robbed Ricki Lamie wide on the left before sweeping a delicious first-time ball beyond Alan Lithgow.
Morelos did not need to break stride to connect but the Colombian saw his low finish smash back off the base of the post.
🐃 #ElBufalo once again finding the back of the net. pic.twitter.com/mGxuIDgu9J — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 27, 2019
As the half-hour mark approached, the travelling Light Blues faithful were beginning to fret over their side’s failure to capitalise on their dominance.
But their nerves were soon soothed as Morelos burrowed his way into box before knocking back to Scott Arfield, who then teed up Jack.
The midfielder’s strike should have been easy meat for Kelly but the former Ibrox youngster took his eye off the ball and let it slip through his grasp into the net.
Kent missed a decent opening just moments into the second half. But the on-loan Liverpool winger needed no second invitation as he doubled Rangers’ lead after 48 minutes.
Scott Arfield with a great ball into the path of @morelos2106 who takes the ball past the keeper and sends it into the back of the net from a tight angle. 0-3 pic.twitter.com/LrWjw5lmUE — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 27, 2019
Arfield took aim from the edge of the box but his shot was redirected by a Morelos flick. Kelly did well to get a block on the striker’s effort but was helpless as Kent drove the rebound home.
Morelos then grabbed his 21st goal of the season with 16 minutes left as he raced onto an Arfield pass, and rounded Kelly before tucking home from a tight angle.
The goal sparked a mini pitch invasion as dozens of jubilant Gers supporters flooded from the stands to mob their hero.
