Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MOTHER LOAD
Gers batter Steelmen to lay down a huge marker to Celtic
RANGERS told telly viewers the kick off was delayed – only for Motherwell to fail to turn up.
The Light Blues were rampant as a gulf in class between the sides – which was hardly in evidence before lockdown – was brutally exposed.
The Ibrox side were two goals to the good after only 10 minutes and three goals in front five minutes before half-time before a Ricki Lamie own goal in the second half added to the woe of the Steelmen.
Rangers were slick and pacy, particularly in the first half, and played with an energy and tempo to which they must aspire consistently in the months ahead if they are to come close to laying a glove on arch rivals Celtic in the title race.
The opening goal after only six minutes underlined everything that was good about Rangers on the night – and bad about the visitors.
Borna Barisic (right), a standout throughout on the left, made hay and delivered a tempting back post cross for
Alfredo Morelos.
The Colombian hooked it back towards the penalty spot, but Alan Campbell’s defensive header was weak and dropped perfectly for Ryan Kent to crack a first time volley into the corner of the net from 19 yards.
Croatian defender Barisic was in the mood and Motherwell knew it as Liam Grimshaw and Campbell stood off as he powered down the left again minutes later.
It was a fatal error of judgement as his pinpoint delivery was met by Ianis Hagi who knocked a strong header high past Trevor Carson.
Joe Aribo clipped a left foot shot over the top moments after Carson had dived smartly to his right to keep out an effort from Hagi.
The Romanian should have been awarded a penalty midway through the opening period when he was upended in the box by Lamie, who had been undone by the quick feet of the playmaker.
Nigerian talisman Aribo did add a stunning third five minutes before half-time.
The former Charlton kid moved the ball from left foot to right, then back to the left, before passing a delightful shot beyond the helpless Carson.
Unsurprisingly, a slew of subs arrived after the break but normal service was soon resumed when Rangers added a fourth after fine work on the left by Brandon Barker.
He picked up a pass from Scott Arfield and his turn of pace took him past Declan Gallagher where his cutback was turned into his own net by Lamie.