PRIZE FIGHTERS
STEVEN GERRARD last crossed swords with Eddie Howe when he helped end Bournemouth’s FA Cup dream in the fourth round.
Seven years on from that tie with Liverpool, they could be set to go head to head at the same stage of the Scottish Cup.
That is the mouthwatering prospect following yesterday’s Cup draw if Rangers’ bitter rivals can seal the deal for Howe, then hand him an Old Firm baptism of fire.
The Light Blues didn’t need any incentive to ensure there would be no giant killing when Cove Rangers arrived at Ibrox as they look to lift this trophy for the first time since 2009 and complete a domestic Double.
But a few hours before kick- off against Paul Hartley’s men they were given extra motivation when Scots sea shanty sensation Nathan Evans pulled them out of the hat along with Celtic in the draw.
That was always likely to be enough to ensure there was no complacency in the home side, who were in action for the first time since their 1-1 derby draw.
Despite making seven changes from that Parkhead side, Rangers were relentless as they enjoyed an Easter Sunday stroll against the League One high-flyers.
They were hungry from Kevin Clancy’s first whistle with Jermain Defoe’s opener, Kemar Roofe’s quickfire double and Nathan Patterson’s strike putting them 4-0 up and cruising at the break.
To Cove Rangers’ credit they stuck to their test in the second half on a night when it could easily have been double figures.
Now all eyes will be on the Old Firm Scottish Cup clash which will ignite the run-in to the season with the Scottish Premiership race over.
The prospect of Howe being appointed in time for a quickfire Old Firm clash will crank the interest up a notch as Gers have the chance to completely kill off their rivals’ season from hell.
Gerrard brought the curtain down on an illustrious Anfield playing career just as Howe completed his journey of taking Bournemouth through the leagues and they missed each other in the top flight.
But they did meet in the FA
Cup with Gerrard skipper when former Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers, to whom Howe has been compared, led his side to a 2-0 win at Dean Court.
Gerrard has since made the transition into the dug-out at Ibrox and is on course for more history as he looks to lead the club to their first Scottish Cup and domestic double since 2009.
He had to ensure the big Rangers were professional against the wee Rangers, who arrived in Glasgow unbeaten in six with Hartley admitting promotion was the priority ahead of a vital league trip to Clyde tomorrow.
Scott Wright was handed his first start after a string of impressive cameos and the former Aberdeen man grabbed his chance with both hands.
He was the first to threaten after Steven Davis picked him
Gerrard’s men set up chance of mouthwatering showdown between their boss and Howe as they chase dream Double
out with a brilliant pass but the former Aberdeen man’s shot was deflected wide by Ross Graham’s challenge.
Wright looked in the mood as he found pockets of space and he flashed a ball across goal that Defoe failed to connect with before Roofe’s effort from a corner came back off the upright and into the arms of a relieved Stuart McKenzie.
Cove Rangers weren’t daunted by the challenge despite being camped in their own half, but their resistance was broken midway through the first half with a cracking opener from Defoe.
The veteran striker picked up the ball deep in the opposition half and spun away from Fraser Fyvie.
He was given far too much time and space as he fired a brilliant 25-yard effort low into the corner of the net. Defoe then turned provider as he played his part in Gers’ second.
He picked out Scott Arfield and when McKenzie parried his effort it was Roofe who was on hand to slam home the rebound.
It was Roofe’s first goal of 2021 but after waiting so long for one, like buses, two came along at once.
He bagged a quickfire double when he got ahead of Daniel Higgins to get on the end of Wright’s drilled ball across the six-yard box to fire home.
Despite being 3-0 down, Cove still tried to play out from the back but they paid the price.
Higgins’ ball across the edge of his box was pounced on by Patterson as he nipped in ahead of Adam Livingstonen and the full-back fired home.
The visitors must have been fearing the worst at the break and the sight of Ianis Hagi, on in place of Davis, coming out for the second half wouldn’t have done anything to ease that.
While it was sore being on the end of a drubbing, there was real agony for Jamie Masson as he suffered what looked a serious knee injury as his studs appeared to catch in the turf.
The boyhood Gers fan had been dreaming of his chance to play at Ibrox ahead of his 28th birthday today but it ended in a nightmare as he was stretchered off.
The heavens opened in the latter stages but Cove Rangers stemmed the flow of goals and Gers will now prepare for that stiffer challenge in the next round following this weekend’s home league clash against Hibs.