The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Relief for Rangers after Accies stage late rally
James Tavernier’s late penalty double helped Rangers find a cure for their travel sickness but only after they were made to scrap for a 4-1 win at Hamilton.
Rangers had not managed to win a league match on the road since February and appeared to be in for another bout of away-day blues when Steven Boyd cancelled out Ryan Kent’s opener with just 10 minutes left.
Steven Gerrard’s side were far from their slickest but got the victory which moves them up to fifth when Accies defender Alex Penny gave away two late spot-kicks.
Tavernier stepped up both times and found the net before Alfredo Morelos put a gloss on their first triumph outside of Govan since St Johnstone were beaten in Perth eight months ago.
Gerrard admitted he wasn’t pleased with his team’s showing.
“Performance-wise, we weren’t at it today,” he said. “We weren’t great but I’m pleased with the three points and the result because all the talk before the game was about our away record and how we hadn’t had a win for eight months.
“The points were the most important thing for me but I wasn’t pleased with our display, to be honest.
“I think we were actually frightened when they equalised – that basically gave us the rocket we needed because, at 1-0 up, we were too casual and I didn’t feel comfortable on the sidelines.
“But their goal scared us a bit and that sparked us into life. We then went on to win comfortably, but 4-1 flattered us.”
Tavernier has now netted from the spot seven times this season and his boss praised the skipper’s coolness.
“He has fantastic technique and he backs himself,” said Gerrard. “James has the personality to step up in pressurised situations and, certainly, the first penalty today – with the score at 1-1 and time running out – was a big one.”