PARTICK THISTLE 0 RANGERS 2 BOOT

Another goal for Josh as Gers close gap

STRIKES from Josh Windass and James Tavernier gave Rangers a business-like 2-0 Premiership win at Partick Thistle.

A clinical finish by attacker Windass in the 38th minute had Graeme Murty’s side ahead.

With another moment of quality in the 58th minute, right-back Tavernier doubled the Light Blues’ lead with a 20yard drive to take the Ibrox men to within three points of second-placed Aberdeen.

Thistle’s first-half display provided promise for manager Alan Archibald.

On a bitterly cold night in Maryhill, Rangers slowly worked their way into the game and in the 25th minute missed a decent chance. An inswinging free-kick by midfielder Sean Goss was headed wide by Russell Martin from six yards out when it looked like the on-loan defender should have at least hit the target.

It was a let-off for the Maryhill men who came back strongly and six minutes later attacker Ryan Edwards ran on to a Connor Sammon head-flick and volleyed the ball into the Light Blues’ net but the offside flag was up.

It was the Govan side who forged ahead with a sweeping move which saw Jason Cummings, back in for Alfredo Morelos, pass to Daniel Candeias wide on the right, and when he quickly slid the ball into the box Windass instantly drove it high past Thistle goalkeeper Tomas Cerny.

The home side responded again and seconds before the interval it looked like Sammon had levelled with a low drive from 14 yards, but the ball struck the far post and bounced back across the goal before the visitors scrambled it to safety.

Rangers, with Andy Halliday on for left-back Declan John, started the second half brightly.

In the 51st minute Cerny had to race from his line to thwart Tavernier after the Gers defender had worked a one-two with Jamie Murphy inside the Thistle box.

However, Cerny had no chance with Tavernier’s next effort just before the hour mark, when he took a Windass pass before sending a drive from

20 yards dipping in under the bar.

Thistle went in search goal the of a to bring Maryhill men back into the reckoning but the Rangers defensive line held firm.