Rangers 4-0 Motherwell

RANGERS got yet more valuable minutes in the tank tonight, defeating Motherwell by four goals to nil at Ibrox this evening.

Ryan Kent, Ianis Hagi and Joe Aribo were all on the scoresheet in the first-half, while Ricki Lamie turned into his own net in the second following super work from Ryan Kent.

Right from the off, Rangers looked on it, playing with a superb energy and showing hunger all over the park.

Alfredo Morelos tested Traver Carson early on with a curling effort which arrowed for the top-right corner – El Bufalo getting on the end of a super Ryan Jack Ball.

That sparked a sustained period of play around the ‘Well goal and on seven minutes, the home side hit the front.

Alfredo Morelos’ cross was headed out of the area by Alan Campbell, but the ball dropped onto the foot of Ryan Kent.

He had so much to do, but showed brilliant technique to take the dropping ball on the half-volley, and finish beyond the reach of Carson.

Three minutes later, it was 2-0, and it was another well worked goal from the Light Blues. Borna Barisic charged down the left and delivered a wonderful, whipped cross to the back post, and coming in with a bullet header was Ianis Hagi, getting the ball back across Carson and into the net.

Rangers were rampant, and it could have been three almost straight from the restart, Hagi and Morelos profiting from some slack Well play to charge forward, but Carson held onto Morelos’ final effort.

Rangers were looking fit and strong, and the hard work they had put in over the extended break was showing as they kept up an impressive tempo.

On top of that, Gerrard’s men appeared to be benefiting from the technical and tactical work they had put in since returning to the Rangers Training Centre almost five weeks ago – playing some really high-level, entertaining football and creating numerous opportunities.

Nigerian international Joe Aribo showed lovely footwork to get into a shooting position, he lifted his effort just over the bar. Ianis Hagi was then felled in the area by Liam Donnelly, but referee Don Robertson waved what looked a legitimate appeal for a penalty away.

Ryan Jack had an effort from 25-yards held by Carson, and the goalkeeper held onto a Hagi drive from similar distance soon after.

It was attack after attack, and Aribo brilliantly picked out Ianis Hagi in the area with his back to goal.

Goal number three then arrived on 45 minutes – and in keeping with Rangers’ overall play, it was another beauty.

Joe Aribo collected the ball from Barisic inside the area and played a one-two with Morelos, and then a one-two with Hagi, before dancing his way through not one, not two, but three ‘Well defenders and planting the ball into the bottom corner.

It brought to a close a powerful 45 minutes of football from Gerrard’s men – and they continued to dominate at the beginning of the second.

Borna Barisic sent an effort just over from the corner of the box, while at the other end. Jon McLaughlin made a remarkable point-blank save from David Turnbull following an almighty scramble in the area.

The manager had made a number of subs both at half-time, and then again on the hour mark – and one of them, Brandon Barker, had a massive hand in goal number four on 68 minutes.

He broke away down the right lit the afterburners to get by Liam Grimshaw and cut the ball back where Ricki Lamie turned the ball into his own net at the front post.

Two other subs, Jermain Defoe and Jamie Murphy then almost combined, Defoe standing a lovely ball up to the back post where Murphy was inches away from connecting.

Another great workout then for Gers, with Coventry the visitors to Ibrox on Saturday in their final warmup match.

RANGERS: McLaughlin (Firth, 74); Tavernier, Goldson, Edmundson (Maxwell, 74), Barisic (Bassey, 60); Jack (Barjonas, 74), Kamara (Davis, 45), Aribo (Arfield, 45); Kent (Barker, 60), Hagi (Murphy, 60), Morelos (Defoe, 60).