Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Morelos double sees Gers advantage grow
ALFREDO Morelos made a stunning return to form against 10-man Aberdeen as his brace fired Rangers 22 points clear at the top of the Premiership.
While captain James Tavernier failed to make it 10-in-a-row from the penalty spot, Steven Gerrard’s team claimed another huge result in their quest to stop Celtic’s dominance thanks to Morelos’ efforts in the 2-1 win at Pittodrie.
The Colombian has not been at his prolific best this term but he produced two lethal finishes to kill off the Dons.
Ryan Hedges was sent off in the 26th minute for fouling Morelos in the box as Rangers completed a first Pittodrie double since 2011.
Derek McInnes was forced to do without Ross McCrorie against his parent club while Gerrard made just one change to last week’s Old Firm-winning line-up as Ianis Hagi replaced the injured Kemar Roofe.
Neither defence covered themselves in glory during a sloppy start to the game.
Ash Taylor was first to switch off as he let a Tavernier ball sail over his head inside the first 30 seconds, with the Dons defender grateful to see Morelos scuff his shot.
Rangers’ centre-backs were just as sluggish as Hedges’ punt forward was allowed to bounce through for Curtis Main. Strike partner Sam Cosgrove raced on to the flick-on as Connor Goldson went to ground but he made a mess of his finish with only Allan McGregor to beat.
Hagi fizzed one over the bar for Gers while Scott Wright’s pace gave the hosts a threat down the left. But Gers soon found their rhythm and took control of the game.
Jonny Hayes booted a Ryan Kent effort off the line before Joe Lewis parried away Tavernier’s follow up.
They should have fallen behind when Tavernier’s run of flawless spot-kicks came to an end.
Morelos worked a clever one-two with Joe Aribo before bursting into the box. The striker prepared to pull the trigger but instead found himself tumbling forward after Hedges clipped his heels.
Referee John Beaton was straight on the spot flashing red but Tavernier’s penalty skidded frustratingly wide of the post.
Dusting himself down, he played a key part as Rangers did grab the lead five minutes later. Kent collected Tavernier’s low ball into the box before feeding Morelos.The striker took his chance to spin and drill a fabulous finish past Lewis.
Things almost got worse for the Dons just before the break as Main launched himself into a nasty challenge on Borna Barisic. Beaton decided it was worthy of only a yellow but McInnes immediately replaced him with Shay Logan.
But it made no difference to the league leaders who started the second half they way they finished the first, netting a second inside five minutes.
Again the threat came from the right as this time Aribo fed the ball into the box. Another deft flick from Kent found Morelos and the 24-year-old drilled home his 10th goal of the season.
But Aberdeen were allowed to grab a lifeline after 67 minutes. Cosgrove sent the ball down the right for Hayes, who cut back for unmarked substitute Matty Kennedy to slot home.
That was the wake-up call Rangers needed as they carefully managed their way to a 15th straight win.