Murty praises strikers as Windass hat-trick fires Gers into second

HAMILTON: Woods, Skondras, McMann, Jenkins, Tomas, Van der Weg (Imrie, 69 mins), Templeton (Bingham, 69 mins), Lyon, Ferguson, Sarris, Ogkmpoe. Unused subs: Fulton, Miller, Redmond, Rojano, Want.

RANGERS: Foderingham, Tavernier, Bates, Martin, John, Goss (Halliday, 86 mins), Docherty, Windass (Miller, 78 mins), Candeias, Murphy, Morelos (Cummings, 78 mins). Unused subs: Kelly, Hodson, Cardoso, Herrera.

Referee: Bobby Madden

Man of the match: Josh Windass

Match rating: 9/10 RANGERS boss Graeme Murty has tipped hat-trick hero Josh Windass and his strike partner Alfredo Morelos to get better and better after watching the pair shoot down Hamilton.

Windass celebrated signing a new contract this week by scoring three times in Rangers’ 5-3 triumph over Accies at the SuperSeal Stadium.

Morelos, meanwhile, contributed a goal and two assists as Rangers moved back above Aberdeen and into second place.

The pair now have 31 goals between them but Murty says there is much more to come from the duo.

“That tally is a reflection of where they are currently but both should use it as a stepping stone to improve in all aspects,” said Murty, who insists he is relaxed about the on-going transfer speculation surrounding Morelos.

“They are young, maturing and there is still more to come from them.

“As happy as I am, they will get better and stronger. This is a lovely marker on their journey but they will improve.”

Fifth goal: Josh Windass completes his treble and (inset) gets to grips with the matchball as Graeme Murty offers congratulations

Windass’ treble extends his hot streak to nine goals in five games — but Murty joked that the Englishman should not have been awarded his first effort in Hamilton after Accies keeper Gary Woods fumbled his strike into his own net.

“Are we giving him the second goal?” he asked. “I’m harsher than you lot — I wouldn’t give him it!

“When Josh opens up and gallops in the final third, he’s hard

to deal with. He times his run with his side’s first-half diswell, he makes great lines and play. Greg Docherty’s mistake he finishes well. He needs to gifted Darren Lyon the opener work on parts of his game but I after just five minutes but Morelos am glad we tied him down on a set up Jamie Murphy for an new deal. instant response.

“Josh has the qualities we requiretogettowherewewantto Windass then had Rangers ahead when Woods blundered be as a football club. but Accies hit back again when

“I’m pleased with the win. I David Templeton swept home on told the players that they’d been 22 minutes. handed a chance to go second Rangers eventually took command, and they couldn’t turn it down.” with Morelos and Windass

Murty was not pleased, however, putting them two up at the

break, with the latter claiming the match ball with his third after the break, leaving Dougie Imrie’s late spot-kick as mere consolation for Hamilton.

Frustrated Accies boss Martin Canning said: “If someone had said to me before the game we would score three goals against Rangers I’d have expected to take something from the game.

“But when you defend like we did that makes it hard. Four of their five goals were avoidable.”