The Colombian striker was unstoppable at Ibrox
Steven Gerrard’s hopes of ending his first season as Rangers boss with a trophy stay alive after 4 Alfredo Morelos targets helped the Ibrox aspect into the William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-finals.
The Colombian striker took his tally for the season to 27 in a 5-Zero win over 10-man Kilmarnock.
Gers supervisor Gerrard primarily admitted on the eve of the fifth-round replay he had given up hope of clawing again Celtic’s eight-point Ladbrokes Premiership lead – which means it was all or nothing in opposition to Steve Clarke’s males.
Andy Halliday additionally struck because the hosts booked a last-eight date with Aberdeen at Pittodrie on March 3.
Kilmarnock with their well-drilled line-up have proved difficult prospects for Rangers this season however there was no hope for the Ayrshiremen after goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann was despatched off halfway by means of the primary half following an off-the-ball conflict with Glen Kamara.
Gerrard savaged his staff for missing starvation within the sorry weekend stalemate with St Johnstone that allowed Celtic to take an enormous step in direction of eight-in-a-row.
However there was no signal of that malaise this time as Rangers hunted down their guests with a ravenous look from kick-off.
They have been fortunate referee Alan Muir took no motion in opposition to Joe Worrall simply two minutes in because the Englishman appeared to dam off Eamonn Brophy within the field.
However with Morelos again in motion for the primary time since his purple card at Aberdeen, Gers as soon as once more had a focus again and it took simply seven minutes for them to seek out it.
James Tavernier measured an inch-perfect ball down the best for Daniel Candeias, whose first-time ball was whipped straight to the unmarked Morelos to faucet house on the again submit.
Bachmann pulled off save from Scott Arfield quickly after however that was the Austrian stopper’s final involvement as he noticed purple on 25 minutes.
Former Dundee midfielder Kamara hit the deck claiming he had been struck with an elbow as he and Bachmann waited for a nook supply. Muir took his time as he consulted his assistants earlier than leaving Bachmann surprised as he reached for his prime pocket.
Clarke sacrificed Conor McAleny to placed on back-up keeper Jamie MacDonald whereas there was an additional blow as debutant Alex Bruce had to get replaced on the similar time after happening injured.
Gerrard’s staff sensed their likelihood to place the tie to mattress. First Tavernier rattled the underside of the crossbar with a 20-yard rocket – however their second once more got here from point-blank vary on the stroke of half-time.
Candeias threw over one other luxurious supply, this time from deep within the nook, and Morelos had the best header to carry up his quarter-century.
The sport was in peril of dwindling down after the break however the introduction of Halliday despatched Gers’ tempo hovering.
The left-back received possession on half-way, sprayed ahead to Ryan Kent earlier than racing on to complete emphatically from 15 yards out on 73 minutes.
Morelos then wrapped up his hat-trick 5 minutes later as he fizzed the ball previous MacDonald at his close to submit.
And Rangers’ top-scorer was not finished there, swivelling on the ball earlier than sending a low end into the underside nook for quantity 5 with seven minutes left.
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