DANIEL CANDEIAS put his Europa League disappointment behind him as he inspired Rangers to a friendly victory over Marseille at Ibrox.
The Portuguese was left out of Steven Gerrard’s squad for the win against St Joseph’s last Tuesday night and won’t feature in the return leg this week.
But he netted twice in the first half on Sunday as Rangers continued their unbeaten start to the campaign following bounce game successes against Mansfield, TNS and Oxford.
Marseille fielded the likes of Steve Mandanda, Luiz Gustavo, Dimitri Payet and Kevin Strootman in a strong line-up against the Light Blues.
READ MORE: Joe Aribo insists he will be a success at Rangers and prove Lee Bowyer wrong
But Rangers were comfortable throughout and never looked back after Candeias opened the scoring with just 17 minutes on the clock.
Joe Aribo did well to nick the ball off Florian Thauvin and Alfredo Morelos set Candeias clear on the right side of the area. The winger picked his spot perfectly and rifled the ball beyond keeper Mandanda.
Rangers had further chances as Ryan Jack curled a shot just wide and Jordan Jones saw a volley saved after he connected sweetly with a cross from the Gers midfielder.
And it was Jack that had a hand in the second goal of the afternoon as a terrific long-range pass over the top of the Marseille defence found Candeias. He controlled the ball with his first touch and then finished clinically with his second to put Gerrard’s side well on course for the win.
There was soon another reason for the Ibrox crowd to cheer as Filip Helander was introduced and made his first appearance on the park at half-time.
The Swede completed his £3.5million move from Bologna on Saturday and could make his debut when Blackburn make the trip to Glasgow next weekend for the third home friendly of the summer.
Gerrard made a handful of changes at the interval but it didn’t disrupt Rangers at all and further goals followed to add a well-deserved shine to the scoreline.
Connor Goldson got the third as he tapped home from close range after Nikola Katic rose well to head a corner towards target.
READ MORE: Graeme Macpherson: Does Filip Helander mark return of big spending at Rangers or a desperate gamble?
And Jermain Defoe made it 4-0 with 15 minutes remaining. Sheyi Ojo burst down the right and his cutback found the veteran striker, who finished the move with a header.
Marseille had only created one chance of note as Payet fired wide in the first half but they came close to a late consolation as Gustavo fired in a free-kick.
Keeper Wes Foderingham got down sharply to his right to make a save as Rangers earned a clean sheet and an impressive victory on a pleasing afternoon for boss Gerrard.
Rangers first half: McGregor; Tavernier, Edmundson, Goldson, Barisic; Jack, Davis, Aribo; Candeias, Jones, Morelos
Rangers second half: Foderingham; Tavernier (Barjonas), Katic, Goldson (Mayo), Barisic (Halliday); Jack (Kamara), Aribo (Polster), Docherty; Ojo, Jones (Murphy), Defoe
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