IT was close, it was nervy, it wasn’t particularly convincing, but Rangers returned to competitive action with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Hamilton.
An early goal from Ryan Jack and a brace from Ryan Kent ensured that Steven Gerrard’s men picked up all three points and stayed level with Celtic at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership table.
But Brian Rice’s charges left the field with their heads held high. If they could have reproduced the Lewis Smith finish which drew them level in the first half they could have taken something.
So how did Accies pass up the chance to cause an upset? And what sort of shape are Rangers in ahead of their return to European action? Here’s what we learned from events in South Lanarkshire.
READ MORE: Ryan Jack says the Rangers side that faces Feyenoord have same pressures of Dick Advocaat's era
THIS WAS A VITAL VICTORY
Rangers may have remained level on points with Celtic at the top of the Premiership with this away win. But failing to match the 4-0 result their city rivals recorded in their triumph over Livingston at home the day before meant they fell three goals behind them on goal difference instead of just one.
No matter. This wasn’t the first fixture that Gerrard would have chosen to have after the international break. Taking on Hamilton away at lunchtime on a Sunday on the artificial pitch at the Fountain of Youth Stadium presented its challenges.
The visitors were far from their best. However, sometimes during the course of a long, hard season getting a result, not the quality of the performance, is all that matters and this was one of those occasions. Failing to prevail in these kind of games certainly cost Rangers dear last term.
KENT WAS MONEY WELL SPENT
Kent hasn’t made the same sort of impact at Rangers this season as he did during his loan spell at Ibrox last term due to the hamstring injury he picked up shortly after he returned which sidelined him for five weeks.
Indeed, the goal the winger scored two minutes before half-time was his first since his £7 million transfer from Liverpool in September.
But his strike was a timely reminder of the difference the gifted forward can make to a game. He received the ball from James Tavernier just outside the opposition area, dropped his shoulder, cut inside Johnny Hunt and rifled an unstoppable left foot shot into the top left corner.
The visitors had been repeatedly thwarted by young Luke Southwood, the Reading loanee who had been a member of the England Under-20 World Cup winning squad in 2017, after Jack had given them an early lead. The youngster, given the nod ahead of Owain Fon Williams and making his first team debut, had denied Jack and Tavernier.
It needed something special to get Rangers back in front and Kent provided it at a crucial stage in the match. He also showed great composure to add a second in injury-time. The 23-year-old will take confidence from his strikes and improved all-round showing. There is more, much more, to come from him in the weeks and months ahead.
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RANGERS MISSED DAVIS AND MORELOS
With Alfredo Morelos only returning from international duty with Colombia on Saturday, the Rangers striker started on the bench yesterday and only took over from Jermain Defoe with six minutes remaining.
Steven Davis, who had been in action with Northern Ireland against the Netherlands and Germany in the previous fortnight, also watched from the dugout until coming on for Joe Aribo late in the second half.
Gerrard had adequate replacements for both men. Jermain Defoe started up front while Aribo joined Jack and Glen Kamara in midfield.
But Rangers just aren’t the same side without their leading scorer Morelos leading the line and the vastly-experienced Davis dictating play in the centre of the park.
Both men should kick off the Europa League match against Feyenoord in the De Kuip in Rotterdam on Thursday evening. Their team will be far better for their presence.
READ MORE: Hamilton 1-3 Rangers as it happened: Ryan Kent scores a double in final minutes
HAMILTON WERE UNLUCKY
This was the proverbial game of two halves. Rangers dominated the first 45 minutes and had chances to sew up the three points, but Hamilton were by far the better team after half-time and had numerous opportunities to equalise for a second time. A draw wouldn’t have flattered them.
Scorer Smith mishit a pass to Mickel Miller early in the second half, Marios Ogkmpoe hit the side-netting, Miller failed to connect with a square ball across the face of goal by a matter of inches, and George Oakley forced a save from Allan McGregor. The final result was harsh on them.
RANGERS MUST DEFEND BETTER
Gerrard refused to attribute his charges’ disappointing display at the back to rustiness after a fortnight off. “That’s the easy way out,” he said. “It’s down to individuals understanding their responsibilities - how to defend, where they need to be, doing the ugly bit and being leaders out there.” An improvement is required against Feyenoord.
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