ALFREDO MORELOS scored a hat-trick as Rangers booked their place in the Betfred Cup quarter-final draw. Steve Clarke’s men started brightly in front of the home crowd, however, the Gers had the first real chance of the game. Willie Vass Alfredo Morelos celebrates scoring the opening goal[/caption] A Ryan Kent cross found it’s way through to Morelos who’s mis-hit shot was cleared off the line by Stephen O’Donnell. Despite protests from the Light Blue’s that the ball had actually crossed the line, referee Nick Walsh waved play on. Ten minutes in, Killie came close from a Chris Burke free-kick that was turned away by Wes Foderingham. PA:Press Association Morelos heads home the first goal of the game for Rangers[/caption] At the other end, Jamie Murphy was involved in a tangle of legs with Kirk Broadfoot and was forced off the pitch, with Daniel Candeias his replacement. Foderingham then pulled off another great stop from a Burke free-kick that he managed to narrowly flick over the bar. Then, on 27 minutes, Morelos opened the scoring with a header from point-blank range following a deflected James Tavernier cross. Willie Vass Morelos grabs his second goal of the game[/caption] Scrappy marking from Killie allowed the striker to find space in the box to give the away side the lead. Kilmarnock came close to equalising as former Gers players Burke and Broadfoot combined, with the Killie defender’s looping header hitting the crossbar. But just before half-time, the Light Blues doubled their lead with another goal from striker Morelos. Willie Vass Gers winger Jamie Murphy is injured during the first half[/caption] A long ball launched into the penalty area by Tavernier caught Scott Boyd off-guard and the striker managed to get in behind and fire a shot low past debutant keeper Daniel Bachmann. The Gers came out for the second half looking comfortable, however, Killie were given hope after an early own-goal from Gers defender Borna Barisic. Jordan Jones excellent footwork out on the left left him with space inside the box, and while Kris Boyd failed to fully connect, a deflection off full-back Barisic saw the ball nestle in the back of the net. RELATED STORIES ‘A BIG HELP’ Graham Dorrans is a big part of my plans insists boss Steven Gerrard CRAZY DAYS Glenn Middleton says life in the first-team under Steven Gerrard has been CRAZY EURO SHOCK FC Ufa may have to FORFEIT Europa League tie with Rangers BIGGER TEST Broadfoot says Gerrard’s side are becoming mirror image of Walter Smith’s team GERRIFIC Steven Gerrard pens letter to Gers superfan during 4,000 mile trip across Atlantic FOCUS ON GERS Gerrard insists he’s not obsessed with Celtic as Old Firm clash draws nearer A double save from Killie keeper Bachmann, a low-drive from Scott Arfield then a close-range header from Morelos, kept the home side in the tie. RACE AGAINST TIME Rangers’ Europa League rivals FC Ufa could sensationally have to FORFEIT their tie with Gers However, deep into the second half Rangers goal hero Morelos fired home once more to seal his hat-trick. Right back Tavernier once again fired a cross into the six yard box which the Colombian managed to knock home to seal Gerrard’s men the win and a place in the Betfred Cup quarter-final draw. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news, transfers and goals from Scottish football plus fixtures, results and live match commentary
Source: Scottish Sun, News
Source: Scottish Sun, News
