Five things we learned as Rangers beat Hamilton to reach the Scottish Cup quarter-finals

Second-half goals from Joe Aribo, Alfredo Morelos and Arfield again saw the visitors progress to the last eight. So what did we learn from events in South Lanarkshire? Here are five talking points from the encounter.

THE RANGERS REVIVAL CONTINUES

This was still nowhere near as good a display as James Tavernier and his team mates produced against Celtic at Parkhead before the winter shutdown. Work remains to be done. But it was much better than their sorry showings against Hearts and Aberdeen. The result could have been sewed up by half-time had they taken their chances. Crucially, it was a second straight triumph.

The return of Tavernier and Morelos after surgery and suspension respectively and the introduction of Ianis Hagi have made a huge difference. They will travel to Kilmarnock for a difficult Ladbrokes Premiership match on another artificial surface on Wednesday night with momentum behind them and their confidence growing.

MORELOS IS BACK

The Colombian striker looked well off the pace and lacked his usual sharpness in front of goal when he made his comeback after a three match suspension against Aberdeen nine days ago. He was, despite not getting his name on the scoresheet, far better against Hibernian last midweek. At the weekend in Hamilton he was hugely influential.

He won the penalty from which Rangers took the lead from in the first-half and then bagged his first goal of the year in the second to take his tally for the 2019/20 campaign to 29. He could have had more. Still, it was a definite improvement from the forward.

"He looked sharp," said Gerrard. "We saw signs of the old Alfredo. At times he was powerful, undefendable. We need him firing as quickly as possible. All forwards, especially No.9s, thrive on goals so hopefully his will have done him a lot of good."

RANGERS STILL NEED A PENALTY TAKER

Arfield may have scored two goals, the second of which was a long-range screamer, for Rangers but he did nothing to convince his manager he should retain responsibility for penalties going forward. His spot kick attempt was poor and easily saved by Hamilton goalkeeper Luke Southwood. He was fortunate the ball was palmed to his feet and he was able to net the rebound.

Rangers have had issues from 12 yards this season. Tavernier was relieved of penalty duty after missing against Motherwell in October. He had previously failed to convert against Progres Niederkorn and Feyenoord. Morelos took over and promptly had an effort saved by Celtic in December. Jermain Defoe made no mistake against Stranraer last month. But he is out injured.

Arfield has extensive experience – not that it looked like it at the weekend – taking penalties and would like to continue.

“I hit a few at Falkirk and I took a few down south in big games,” he said. “I took one at Wembley (for Huddersfield Town against Sheffield United) in the (Championship) play-off final. I did miss one (for Burnley) at Crystal Palace against Julien Speroni. That is the first for a while, but I’m prepared to take the next one.”

Perhaps he was just a little out of practice. But would giving Tavernier another go be the worst thing Gerrard could do?

HAGI CONTINUES TO IMPRESS

There were no goals for the Romanian playmaker, who had netted a spectacular late winner against Hibs three days earlier, on Saturday. He headed an early sitter wide. But the Genk loanee was a delight to watch. His clever flicks, cute back heels and defence-splitting reverse passes made him a threat whenever he got on the ball.

“His English is very good and, because of his talent and intelligence, the settling in period is happening quicker than we thought," said Gerrard. “He had a few classy bits about his play. He was impressive again given it's only his second start and first at Hamilton on a difficult pitch."

HAMILTON MUST DEFEND BETTER

Brian Rice’s men gave an Old Firm club a serious scare for the second time in seven days on Saturday. They deserved to be level at half-time and could easily, had they shown more composure up front or referee Alan Muir had listened to one of their two penalty appeals, been ahead.

Rice, doubtless with half an eye on the league meeting with Aberdeen tomorrow, had made no fewer than six changes to his side and fielded three teenagers, Jamie Hamilton, Lewis Smith and Andy Winter. Their performance, all things considered, was remarkable. But they undid all of their good work when they switched off in the final quarter.

The way Hamilton allowed first Aribo, then Morelos and finally Arfield to score in the second-half was unforgivable. “The goals were really soft when you look at them,” said Smith. “It was frustrating because we didn’t think we deserved a 4-1.” Accies will have to tighten up at the back and remain switched on for the full 90 minutes in order to survive in the top flight once again.