Trophy holders Rangers eased into the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup with a comfortable victory over Hamilton.

Steven Whittaker opened the scoring with a fine run and shot, only for Rocco Quinn’s strike to level matters.

Kyle Lafferty slotted in a cool, close-range finish and Aaron Niguez converted a retaken penalty before half-time.

Steve Davis evaded a number of weak challenges before picking his spot with aplomb and Lafferty finished off a neat passing move for the fifth goal.

The Ibrox side turned in a dominant display after their surprise midweek defeat to Inverness and their cause was aided by a series of injuries picked up by the visitors, who played out most of the second half with 10 men.

Rangers made a menacing start, with striker Kenny Miller looking sprightly, while Hamilton were forced into an early change as full-back Brian Easton limped off after eight minutes.

The visitors were still readjusting their formation when they fell behind to an outstanding solo goal from Whittaker.

The former Hibs defender cut in from the right flank and danced past two challenges before drilling a low shot in at Cerny’s near post.

Hamilton had shown little attacking intent but found themselves level on 26 minutes, when Gers keeper Allan McGregor failed to collect a cross from James McCarthy in a congested penalty box and Quinn drove the loose ball into the net from 14 yards.

However, the Accies joy was short-lived and Rangers restored their lead nine minutes later.

Whittaker whipped in a cross which was deftly knocked into the path of Lafferty by Miller and the Northern Ireland striker showed a fine touch to round Cerny and slot home.

Hamilton had to reshuffle once again as Mark McLaughlin was forced out of the action with a head knock and replaced by Chris Swailes, who immediately conceded a penalty by chopping Miller down.

Aaron stepped up and saw his effort blocked by Cerny but referee Iain Brines ordered the penalty to be retaken on the advice of the linesman watching the goal-line and the Spaniard converted his second attempt from the spot.

Hamilton used their third and final substitute at the interval; forward Derek Lyle replacing defender David Elebert.

But any chance of a dramatic comeback was quickly snuffed out when Davis waltzed past a number of static opponents to slide a composed finish beyond Cerny.

And there was a further blow for Accies manager Billy Reid, since his team were soon depleted after an injury to striker Richard Offiong.

Rangers were content to knock the ball around in a leisurely manner and were almost caught out by McCarthy but the teenager’s promising thrust from midfield was brought to a halt by David Weir and Madjid Bougherra on the edge of the penalty box.

Quinn squandered a great chance to double his tally, toe-poking a shot on the stretch straight at McGregor and the home keeper was alert to clutch Paul McGowan’s attempted lob from the rebound.

A slick passing move led to Rangers’ fifth goal on 81 minutes, with Barry Ferguson and Whittaker combining expertly to set up Lafferty, who slipped a low shot under Cerny from 10 yards.

---

 

 

Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist:
“I felt the most important period of the entire game would be the first ten minutes of the second half.

“Thankfully, we got the fourth goal, which effectively killed the game. 

“You’d need to be a cruel man not to feel something for Accies today. They have been a credit to their manager and their coaching staff. I’m sure they’ll bounce back.

“I hope the injuries aren’t long-term and that they can get their boys back. They don’t have the biggest squad in the world. So far in the league campaign they have been fantastic and good luck to them.”I’d like to have seen Aaron Niguez get on the ball a bit more, be a bit quicker.

“I’m delighted for (Steven) Whittaker, I thought he performed well. (Kyle) Lafferty got another two goals and it was good to have Pedro (Mendes) back as well.”

---

Hamilton manager Billy Reid:
“It was one of those days, we were never going to win the game – nothing went right from us, right from the off.

 

“We’re under pressure with injuries at the moment, so we were forced into four changes and played with 10 men for the last 30 minutes.

“But I have no complaints. Even with 10 men we tried to get on the ball and pass it.

“It ask the guys to take responsibility, and they do it in abundance.

“But I have to say Rangers deserved to win, it was one of those days when nothing went right for us.”

---

Rangers: McGregor, Whittaker, Bougherra (Edu 72), Weir, Papac, Davis, Mendes (McCulloch 61), Ferguson, Niguez, Lafferty, Miller (Boyd 65). Subs Not Used: Alexander, Beasley.

 

Booked: Papac.

Goals: Whittaker 15, Lafferty 35, Niguez 45 pen, Davis 53, Lafferty 81.

Hamilton: Cerny, Elebert (Lyle 46), McLaughlin (Swailes 43), Gibson, Quinn, Mensing, Neil, Easton (Evans 7), McGowan, Offiong, McCarthy. Subs Not Used: Murdoch, Deuchar.

Booked: Swailes.

Goal: Quinn 26.

Att: 27,588

Ref: I Brines

FT: Rangers 3 v 1 Kilmarnock Highlights

Walter Smith’s side recover from a slow start to put Kilmarnock to the sword and reclaim top spot in the SPL ahead of Celtic’s match tomorrow.

90 min: YELLOW CARD – Kilmarnock
Alan Combe picks up the final booking for a rant at the linesman after a challenge from Lafferty that Combe wasn’t happy with.

90 min: Lafferty wins a free kick when Lilley pulls him to the floor. Aaron lays the ball to Bougherra but the defender’s long range effort is well wide of the post.

89 min: Miller gets his chance for a hat trick but delays the shot a little too long and Killie get back to block. Looks like he’ll be settling for another double after all.

87 min: Gibson swings in a cross looking for Kevin Kyle but McGregor rises high to claim it.

86 min: Aaron’s shot from distance is forced behind for another corner, but the set piece comes to nothing as the game ebbs away.

83 min: Mehdi Taouil works an opening for Pascali but McGregor is out sharply to deny the midfielder.

82 min: SUBSTITUTION – Kilmarnock
Willie Gibson replaces Garry Hay.

81 min: Mendes unleashes a shot just after the ref’s whistle for a foul against the home side and his effort grazes the bar with Combe helpless. Wouldn’t have counted but another lovely display of technique from the midfielder.

80 min: Kyle Lafferty gets his first opportunity as Mendes sends him through with a slide rule pass, but Lilley produces a fantastic tackle to deny the Ulsterman.

76 min: SUBSTITUTION - Rangers
Kris Boyd makes way for Kyle Lafferty.

75 min: Papac tries his luck from 25 yards but his effort is too high. He obviously has a taste for goals after a couple in February already. 

72 min: Davis and Mendes combine to give the latter a chance at goal but his shot, with the outside of his right boot, is well blocked. Kyle Lafferty is preparing to enter the action.

71 min: SUBSTITUTION – Kilmarnock
Mehdi Taouil replaces Gavin Skelton.

70 min: Miller breaks down the right and swings a low ball to the far post that is just out of reach of Steven Davis.

68 min: SUBSTITUTION – Rangers
Aaron replaces John Fleck with both players getting a great reception from the home crowd.

67 min: YELLOW CARD – Kilmarnock
Gavin Skelton is booked for a lunge at Pedro Mendes in the middle of the park.

65 min: A ripple of applause goes across the Main Stand as Aaron is called back from his warm up to prepare to enter the game. A popular figure after his first goal for the club in Forfar on Wednesday night.

64 min: Madjid Bougherra fancies himself as a bit of a right winger as he dries to dance past Manuel Pascali before the Killie man forces the ball out, dumping the big Algerian to the turf in the process. The home crowd enjoyed that from the popular defender though.

63 min: Mendes cuts in from the left flank and fires a vicious low shot toward the near post that Combe bats behind for a corner. Great effort from the Portuguese.

60 min: Sasa Papac’s shot ricochets to Barry Ferguson but the Rangers captain is dispossessed by Gavin Skelton before he can get a shot away.

57 min: The lively Hamill sprints on to a Kevin Kyle flick on but his shot is too high to trouble McGregor. The Killie No.23 has been in impressive form today.

55 min: Bougherra bursts forward again but his floated cross it too close to Alan Combe.

54 min: Goalscorer Hamill tries his luck from distance but McGregor is more than equal to it. Gers break and Davis makes the most of Garry Hay’s error to feed Miller but the striker loses possession in the box.

52 min: Kevin Kyle catches Kirk Broadfoot late, but the defender his helped to his feet by the Killie forward and doesn’t seem too bothered by the challenge.

50 min: Today’s double for Miller is his fourth for Rangers this season after braces against Celtic, Hibs and Forfar. His eleven goal haul is finished with three single strikes, but still no hat-trick. Will he get the chance today?

47 min: The visitors break well on the left and when the ball scoops up off Madjid Bougherra the crowd give Broadfoot a shout to leave it to McGregor who gathers comfortably.

46 min: Killie get the game back under way. No changes for either side yet, although Rangers are a little late in coming out. Perhaps Walter Smith wasn’t too happy with his side’s start to the match.

HT: Rangers 3 v 1 Kilmarnock
A half time scoreline that nobody would have predicted after a quiet opening 10 minutes. Good response to losing a poor goal from Walter Smith’s side.

43 min: Fleck can’t quite pull a high ball out of the air to break free on the left as David Lilley gets out to intercept him on the half way line.

39 min: Gers almost profit again from the resulting set piece as Ford prods the ball off the line to stop a fourth goal in 10 minutes for the home side.

38 min: Papac is clearly enjoying his more attacking role from left back as he thinks about a volley from distance before pulling the ball down and weaving in to box to earn another corner.

34 min: GOAL – Rangers 3 v 1 Kilmarnock
Miller doesn’t wait too long to get his 11th of the season and fourth in four days, latching on to Mendes’ pass and firing past Combe with a powerful left foot effort.

33 min: GOAL – Rangers 2 v 1 Kilmarnock
Kenny Miller muscles his way past Frazer Wright to fire the home side in to the lead with his 10th of the season.

30 min: Sasa Papac somehow manages to head over from just under the bar as Gers almost turn the game on its head inside a minute.

29 min: GOAL – Rangers 1 v 1 Kilmarnock
Who said 13 is an unlucky number? Kris Boyd is in the right place at the right time again to grab his 13th against Killie. He fires home Madjid Bougherra’s header down from Mendes’ corner.

28 min: Brighter from Rangers as Fleck sprints down the left and forces a corner when his cross is turned behind with Miller lurking.

24 min: Kille almost get free again but Craig Bryson is flagged offside on the left side for the visitors.

22 min: YELLOW CARD – Rangers
Kris Boyd goes down on the edge of the area after a challenge from Ford. Referee Brian Winter isn’t impressed and books the striker for a dive.

21 min: The last time Killie visited Ibrox they took a similarly early lead that they protected until a Kris Boyd penalty turned the tide in Rangers’ favour. Will the former Killie man be the one to rescue Gers again this time?

19 min: Davis tries to pick out Boyd in the centre, but his cross drifts over the striker and out for a goal kick.

16 min: GOAL – Rangers 0 v 1 Kilmarnock
From nowhere Garry Hay gets free on the Killie left and rolls a perfect ball across the face of goal to give Jamie Hamill the easiest of finishes for the opening goal.

14 min: Papac breaks clear on the left but chooses to cut back on to his right foot and his cross is cut out.

13 min: Gers break well but Kirk Broadfoot’s final ball is poor. It eventually breaks back to Davis but he’s caught offside as he looks to latch on to a quick one-two.

12 min: Rangers are enjoying the bulk of possession in the Kilmarnock half but have yet to really open up the visiting defence. When Killie do win the ball the home defence are dealing with it comfortably.

10 min: Papac picks out the run of Miller and the striker’s first touch is good but Ford does well to come across and clear for a throw in.

7 min: Sasa Papac wins a free kick just inside the Killie half and picks out Pedro Mendes with the set piece. The Portuguese slides a pass to Boyd but the forward’s effort is comfortably taken by Combe.

6 min: Jamie Hamill has the visitors’ first effort on goal but his shot flies high over Allan McGregor’s goal.

5 min: Boyd does well to hold the ball up and lay it off to Steven Davis, who finds Kirk Broadfoot sprinting down the right. The big defenders cross is early and low but Alan Combe gathers it easily.

3 min: Kris Boyd gets his first shot on target. The Gers No.9 is seeking his 13th goal against his old club this afternoon. His shot was enough to lift a strangely muted Ibrox.

2 min: Kenny Miller – who looked back to his old self in Forfar on Wednesday – chases down a long ball from Fleck and forces Simon Ford in to an error. Nobody in support of the front man though.

0 min: Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller get the game started for Rangers.

TEAMS

Rangers: McGregor; Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac; Davis, Ferguson, Mendes, Fleck; Miller, Boyd.
Subs: Alexander, Edu, Naismith, Dailly, Lafferty, Whiitaker, Aaron.

Kilmarnock: Combe; Lilley, Ford, Wright, Hay; Murray, Pascali, Bryson, Skelton, Hamill; Kyle.
Subs: Rascle, Taouil, Gibson, O’Leary, Flannigan, Sammon, Anson.

FT: Rangers 2 Aberdeen 0 – Hugely important win for Walter Smith’s men. In the end Rangers could have scored more, especially in the second half when the dominated throughout. 

The most important thing was getting three points and goals from Darcheville and Boyd made it a good day for the Ibrox faithful.

Man of the Match: Pedro Mendes – Showed moments of his undoubted quality throughout the match.

91 min - Rangers toying with their opponents at the end with three points secure.

90 min - Beasley turns in the box and shot is deflected over. American has worked hard since coming on which will have pleased his gaffer.

88 min - Novo is released brilliantly by man-of-the-match Mendes but his right-foot effort from 20 yards is blocked.

87 min - Time is running out for the Dons who have not won at Ibrox for 17 years. 

84 min - Novo broought down 30 yards from goal by Diamond. Defender is booked. Adam stands over the free-kick and his powerful, curling effort is inches wide of target. Great effort.

82 min - Broadfoot booked for a late foul on Maguire.

80 min - Kerr misses a sitter for Dons. Adam tackles Aluko but the ball arrives to Kerr who is rushing through on goal. His left foot shot, however, goes horribly wide of McGregor’s goal.

78 min - Whittaker produces an overlapping run and is brought down before he reaches the Dons 18-yard box. Adam crosses and when it drops to laffert his shot is well saved by Langfield.

76 min – Rangers substitution - Nacho Novo on for Jean-Claude Darcheville.

74 min - Lafferty is left clutching his face after he appears to be hit in the face by Diamond’s elbow. Both ref and linesman miss the incident which is quite remarkable. I thought they were sponsored by Specsavers! 

70 min - Beasley as expected is introduced on the left wing with lafferty joining Darcheville in attack.

70 min – Double Aberdeen substitution - Chris Maguire and Richard Foster on for Lee Mair and Derek Young.

68 min – Rangers substitution - DaMarcus Beasley on for Kris Boyd.

67 min – GOAL! Rangers 2 Aberdeen 0 - Rangers go up the other end and win a corner. Adam delivers a low bouncing cross and when Lafferty leaves it at the near post Boyd, as usual, is there to nod it home from six yards.  Once again the club’s lethal predator strikes.

65 min - Aluko is Aberdeen’s main threat and he uses his pace and trickery to win his side a corner. Young crosses and a dipping Diamond header is cleared off the line by Mendes.

61 min - Ferguson looks to play in Kris Boyd but the striker looks to be hobbling. A change might be required soon.

60 min - Adam swings in the free-kick after Severin gets back to his feet and the ball falls to Davie Weir. He takes a touch in the box to steady himself but can’t get the power on his shot and it is cleared.

59 min - Lafferty clatters in to Severin midway in the Dons half but ref lets play continue. Abeedeen want the ball to go out but Rangers continue and Darcheville is fouled by Diamond. Bit of niggle in the game now.

56 min - Adam attempts to head a cross back to McGregor but it is slack and goes out for a Dons corner. Mulgrew swings the ball in and Diamond heads just wide. Let off for Gers.

52 min - Rangers in the ascendency and immediately have a chance to double their advantage. Mendes hangs the ball up the back post but Lafferty can’t get enough on his header under pressure from Considine.

51 min – GOAL! Rangers 1 Aberdeen 0 - Adam swings in a dangerous corner and it falls to Kris Boyd at the back post. He turns the ball goalward and Darcheville is there to toe poke it home from close range .

49 min - Sone Aluko sparks a counter attack and shows does well to beat Mendes with a burst of pace. His cross, however, is poor.

47 min - Great chance for Darcheville! Boyd stabs the ball through to his strike partner who turns on the edge of the area but his low shot with his left-foot is saved by the legs of Langfield.

46 min - No changes for either team at the restart. Temperature has dropped considerably at the start of the second-half.

HT: Rangers 0 Aberdeen 0 - A frustrating half for the Gers who have not yet hit top gear. More invention in the last third is needed although referee Craig Thomson should have awarded the home side a penalty. Still all to play for both teams.

45 min - Lee Mair almost turns the ball into his own net from a Adam free-kick but Langfield makes a terrific save and tips the ball over the bar.

44 min - Allan McGregor has to be sharp to deny Derek Young with a superb point blank save low to his left. Brilliant from the keeper.

41 min - A Barry Ferguson cross is deflected wide for a corner to Gers. Adam’s cross fails to beat the first man to the frustration of the home support.

39 min - Referee Thomson halts a positive Gers attack after Young takes a head knock from a high, but fair challenge, from Mendes. Game should never have been stopped.

35 min - Mulgrew again delivers a wicked free-kick from the left and McCulloch heads out for a corner. The resulting cross goes wide and the Dons win a free-kick when McDonald takes a dive after a tackle from Lafferty. Adam clears, justice done.

33 min - Davie Weir does well to head clear a dangerous Mulgrew cross with Lee Miller lurking behind him.

29 min - Boyd wins a header to send Darcheville on his down the left wing. His deflected cross is directed in to the path of Fergsuon but his diving header misses Langfield’s back post. Better play from Gers.

26 min - Decent counter attack from Gers. Mendes shows great vision to find Lafferty who had sprinter clear down the right flank. He cuts the ball inside to Boyd but his ambitious first time shot from 25 yards fails to trouble Langfield. Should have taken a touch.

22 min - After a good spell from the visitors Derek Young dinked the ball through to Aluko but the striker, who was clear through on goal, shot wide. The lineman, however, had put up his flag but it was good play from the Dons.

20 min - Good game so far. Aberdeen started the match well but Rangers have grown in confidence. Walter Smith will hope his team can turn their possession into goals before the interval.

17 min - Ferguson feeds the ball to Whittaker but the defender’s shot from 25 yards is blocked.

14 min - Adam, in his own half, plays a delightful long pass to Barry Ferguson who had burst forward with purpose. The ball is slightly too far in front of the captain and skids through to Dons’ keeper Jamie Langfield. 

13 min - Lafferty plays in Darcheville down the right wing. The Frenchman skins his marker before firing a low cross but an Aberdeen defender reads the situation before Boyd and clears.

10 min - The ref’s having a laugh. Charlie Adam drills the ball low into the box. Considine attempts to clear but the ball bounces off his boot on to his hand. A penalty should have been awarded but again the ref waves away any appeals. 

6 min - Lafferty attempts to cross the ball from the right and the ball clearly hits the hand of an Aberdeen player. Referee Craig Thomson fails to see it and lets play continue. Crazy decision.

3 min - Scott Severin causes havoc in the Gers defence with a Rory Delap style throw-in which Kirk Broadfoot heads out for a corner. Mulgrew again takes but McGregor is fouled as he punches the ball clear.

2 min - Aberdeen win first corner of the game and Boyd clears a Charlie Mulgrew cross with a powerful header. Good defensive work from the striker.

1 min - Early chance for Gers. Mendes flicks the ball over the Aberdeen defence in to the path of Boyd but his left-foot shot from a wide angle goes well over.

0min - Kris Boyd and Jean-Claude Darcheville get the action underway at Ibrox.

RANGERS: McGregor; Broadfoot, McCulloch, Weir, Whittaker; Lafferty, Mendes, Ferguson, Adam; Darcheville, Boyd

Subs: Alexander, Edu, Novo, Beasley, Dailly, Aaron, Kinniburgh

ABERDEEN: Langfield, Mulgrew, Diamond, Severin, Considine, McDonald, Young, Kerr, Mair, Aluko, Miller

Subs: Bateman, Foster, Hodgkiss, De Visscher, Maguire, Stewart, Paton

Referee: Craig Thomson

FT – Rangers 2-1 St Mirren. It’s all over and if you’d said at half-time Walter Smith’s men would stumble over the finishing line, nobody would have believed you. Until St Mirren scored with 10 minutes left, the

 hosts were cruising but might have drawn this game in the end. As it is, they have three points in the bag and they’re deserved for the overall effort. 

90 mins - It’s a third booking and Somers is losing his grip on the game a little. Whittaker tries to go past Jack Ross and is obstructed but the caution is a bit harsh.

86 mins - McGinn makes the most of a Mendes challenge on him and throws himself to the ground. Referee David Somers gives a free kick, which Dargo bends around the wall only to see McGregor save. Mendes is booked and moments later Miller joins him on a yellow card.

85 mins - This isn’t the way the match should be finishing. Despite the glut of chances they’ve had, Gers are struggling to see the game out.

82 mins - Saints are chasing a leveller now and after Novo taps wide, Will Haining gets on the end of a right-wing corner but his header is always going far too high.

80 mins – GOAL! Back come the Buddies as Miranda makes it 2-1. Gers have been in a comfort zone for so long and should be out of sight by now but they’re sweating after this one. Dargo puts Miranda in on goal with a cute backheel and the Argentine full-back blasts across McGregor and inside the far post.

78 mins - Miller releases the overlapping Whittaker on the left and he intelligently picks out Davis, whose grasscutter rolls a foot wide of Howard’s left-and post.

77 mins – SUBSTITUTION: Adam’s day comes to an end and he is replaced by Nacho Novo as Rangers make their first change. Needless to say, the popular Spaniard’s introduction goes down rather well.

75 mins - St Mirren have their best chance of the match as Whittaker is caught out of position and a cross comes in for Wyness, who connects well and is inches from bringing the game back to life.

73 mins - It just doesn’t seem to be Miller’s day, even if he has been the best player on the park. Broadfoot crosses low from the right and the former Derby man gets there first but his shot smacks off the bar before the ball is cleared for a corner. Lee McCulloch heads it past when it comes in from Davis.

71 mins - Adam collects after Whittaker is stopped on the left and crosses for Boyd, whose header is a yard over the woodwork.

63 mins - More good football from Gers. This time Davis and Boyd play a pair of one-twos before the latter rifles at the target and Howard scrambles across his line to tip round the post.

62 mins - Great effort from Miller. He cuts in and drive at the upright with his left foot from the edge of the penalty area. Howard palms it away and when Boyd collects the reboud, he is curiously flagged offside.

57 mins – SUBSTITUTIONS: St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson decides to go for it and throws on two strikers. Craig Dargo and Dennis Wyness both enter the fray, with Billy Mehmet and Andy Dorman departing.

52 mins - We see two sides of Miller in a matter of seconds – first of all, he beats Howard to the ball and skips past him wide on the right but then moves towards goal and takes a touch too many. That allows a Saints defender to get back on the line and when Miller shoots, he blazes over when he should bury it.

48 mins - McGinn stabs the ball goalwards from 25 yards but McGregor holds it easily. Gers break forward in response and a lovely Miller ball puts Ferguson in. His first attempt is blocked and the second is tipped wide by Howard.

46 mins - Saints get the action underway once more and there are no further changes at this stage.

HT – Rangers 2-0 St Mirren. Gers have totally coasted the first 45 minutes and while they lead by two, it could easily be by more. Their goals were excellent and some of their one-touch football has been really good to watch.

45 mins - Some great play as the interval approaches. Miller and Mendes combine superbly on the right and Boyd heads over when the cross comes in from Broadfoot.

40 mins – SUBSTITUTION: Saints make the first change of the game as the injured Steven Robb comes off and Stephen McGinn – the matchwinner when these sides met last month – replaces him.

37 mins - Another nice move from Rangers. Firstly Adam dummies a cross-field pass to allow Whittaker space to collect it and when he crosses low, Miller steps over the ball and Boyd shoots wide.

35 mins - Mendes is okay and Ferguson rolls the set piece to Boyd but St Mirren’s wall seems to break early and the effort is blocked when it should perhaps have been retaken.

34 mins - Rangers win a free kick as Miller is pulled back by Brady but of more concern is the fact Mendes is lying in a heap in the middle of the pitch.

32 mins - It’s another opportunity for the home team but Boyd heads wide after good work by Davis, Barry Ferguson, Mendes and Adam.

23 mins - Gers look so dangerous every time they come forward. This time Mendes finds Adam but he leans back a little too much and his drive sails over the upright.

22 mins - Miller is really alert today and he plays a great one-two with Adam in the left channel before seeing his on-target shot blocked. Unlucky.

21 mins - Mendes splits the defence with his pass to Miller but instead of shooting, the forward checks back inside. He then sends the ball towards goal after finding nobody is upfield with him and his effort loops just over with the aid of a deflection.

20 mins - After an action-packed first 10 minutes of the match, the second 10 have been much quieter. Rangers going two goals ahead has killed the game as a contest for the time being at least.

9 mins – GOAL! Some lovely stuff from Rangers and they’re clearly getting the chances they missed on Wednesday at Motherwell out of their system here. Miller’s deft touch plays in Kirk Broadfoot on the right, he plays back inside and the striker feeds to Steven Davis who rifles home. It’s 2-0 and the Light Blues are cruising.

6 mins - A couple of chances for Saints as they try to hit back. Garry Brady tries his luck first but fires over then Franco Miranda heads just too high from a corner.

5 mins - Miller does really well to get ahead of his man in the box and although he has to take the ball away from goal, he crosses from the right and Pedro Mendes heads wide.

4 mins – GOAL! Guess who? That’s right, it’s that man Boyd who opens the scoring and it’s his 150th career goal at club level. He heads down to Miller, his strike partner touches it back to him and Boyd does the rest from 20 yards. It’s a low strike and Mark Howard has no chance.

1 min - Boyd lays off to Adam and straight away he is involved, having a go from 25 yards but fizzing the ball wide. He is off target but it was worth a go.

0 mins - Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller get the game underway. Walter Smith has made three changes for this game and two of them are notable – Lee McCulloch plays his first game for the club at centre-half in Madjid Bougherra’s place and Charlie Adam is on the left of midfield. It’s his first outing in six weeks.

RANGERS: McGregor; Broadfoot, Weir, McCulloch, Whittaker; Davis, Mendes, Ferguson, Adam; Miller, Boyd.

Subs: Alexander, Edu, Novo, Dailly, Lafferty, McMillan, Shinnie.

ST MIRREN: Smith; Ross, Haining, Potter, Miranda; Dorman, Murray, Brady, Mason, Robb; Mehmet.

Subs: Smith, Wyness, Dargo, Hamilton, McAulsand, McGinn, Cuthbert.

REF: David Somers.

Digg Me

Two second-half goals from Davis and Miller give Rangers three crucial points but it was a tense afternoon at Ibrox with Motherwell showing a lot of fight after half-time. Nevertheless a good win for Walter Smith’s men who continue their impressive start to the SPL season. 

Man of the Match: Steven Davis – Midfielder has so much energy and took his goal brilliantly. Closely followed by Kenny Miller who worked tirelessly throughout the 90 minutes.

90 min - Two additional minutes announced by the fourth official. 

87 min – Rangers 2 Motherwell 1 - Nervy ending for Gers as David Clarkson hits the net from close range.

86 min - Great chance for Miller. Boyd finds his partner with a terrific through pass but his shot goes wide. Should have done better.

85 min - End to end stuff. Chris Porter hits the post with a sclaffed effort and Gers counter attack quickly. Miller finds Mendes in space on the right wing and his delighful cross finds Boyd but his header is straight at Smith.

75 min – Rangers 2 Motherwell 0 - Novo makes an immediate impact. Miller delivers a dangerous cross into the six-yard box which Graeme Smith can only palm away and the Spaniard, as usual, is there to bundle the ball home.

71 min – Rangers substitution  - Nacho Novo replaces DaMarcus Beasley. Quiet afternoon for the American.

68 min - David Clarkson cuts in from the left wing and tries to find the Gers back post with a swerving shot. Alexander, however, is there to produce a stunning one-handed save.

66 min – Motherwell Substitution - Darren Smith on for Stephen Hughes.

62 min - Kris Boyd is the second Gers player to go in the book after falling to the ground theatrically in the Motherwell box. Harsh decision on the Gers’ no. 9 who did get a slight nudge in the back from Craigan.

57 min – Rangers 1 Motherwell 0 - Miller and Boyd before finding Steven Davis rushing through on goal unmarked. The Northern Ireland star looks up before finishing with a unstoppable shot. Great time to open the scoring.

55 min - Davis plays the ball to Boyd who swivels before unleashing a shot from a ridiculous angle which smashes against Graeme Smith’s near post.

53 min – Motherwell Substitution - Jamie Murphy on for Chris Porter.

50 min - Kenny Miller feeds the ball to Beasley who is unmarked. The winger takes a touch before bring out an excellent save from Graeme Smith. Another good chance for Walter Smith’s men.

48 min - Jean-Claude Darcheville and Nacho Novo warm up in front of the Main Stand and could be introduced sooner rather than later as Gers look to break the deadlock.

45 min - Motherwell get the second-half started. No changes for wither team after the interval.

HT: Rangers 0 Motherwell 0 - Frustrating half for Gers who have dominated play but failed to capitalise on their possession. Alexander has not been tested but the game remains in the balance.

44 min - Davis crosses into the box from the right and Boyd is unlucky with a downward header from 15 yards which is inches wide of the target. 

39 min - Miller plays an excellent one-two with his strike partner Kris Boyd but, with only the keeper to beat, skews his shot wide from 12 yards. Great move from Rangers which deserved a goal.

36 min - Steven Davis tries his luck with an ambitious 35-yard drive which ends up in the Broomloan Stand.

32 min - Great play from Miller. The striker receives the ball with his back to goal, turns his marker brilliantly and his low, curling shot from 18-yard box is touched around the post by Smith. Best moment of the game so far.

30 min - Chris Porter is left sprawled on the turf after a tackle from Thomson. Hammell crosses from the set-piece but Bougherra clears.

28 min - Claims for a hand ball in the Motherwell 18-yard box after a Mendes thunderbolt is charged down. Ref waves away any pleas.

25 min - Ibrox erupts once again as Miller is hacked to the ground by Craigan who is booked. Weir also goes in the Eddie Smith’s book for dissent.

22 min - Paul Quinn picks up the first yellow card of the afternoon after a disgraceful challenge on Pedro Mendes. The player leaves the field for treatment before returning. Walter Smith also shows his frustration on the touchline. 

16 min - Referee speaks to Graeme Smith and Davis after the keeper kicks the ball off the midfielder’s back from close range after a free-kick had been awarded to the visitors. Petty from the Well no. 1.

12 min - Mendes lays the ball off neatly to Miller on the edge of the 18-yard box but the striker’s shot is blocked. Effort comes after a sustained period of pressure from the home side.

7 min - Kirk Broadfoot, playing at left-back, swings in a brilliant cross with his weaker foot but Reynolds clears with a powerful header. Good start from Gers.

4 min - Christian Dailly crosses from the right and the ball is inches away from the head of Miller at the near post before finishing in the arms of Graeme Smith.

2 min - Kenny Miller unlucky with an early strike which narrowly misses the target after good play from Bougherra and Davis. 

1min - Former Ger Bob Malcolm smashes into Pedro Mendes with a late tackle which leaves the Portugueses ace clutching his ankle.

0 min - Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller get the action underway from the kick-off as Gers look to maintain their three point gap at the top of the league.

RANGERS (4-4-2): Alexander; Dailly, Weir, Bougherra, Broadfoot; Davis, Mendes, Thomson, Beasley (Novo 71); Miller Boyd

Subs: McGregor, Edu, Darcheville, Niguez, McMillan, Fleck

Booked: Weir (25), Boyd (62)

MOTHERWELL (4-3-3): Smith; Quinn, Reynolds, Craigan, Hammell; Lasley, Hughes (D. Smith 66), Malcolm; Clarkson, Sutton, Porter (Murphy 53)

Subs: Nielsen, Smith, Fitzpatrick, O’Brien, McGarry, Connolly

Booked: Quinn (22), Craigan (25)

Referee: Eddie Smith