JAMES TAVERNIER reckons Rangers hat-trick hero Fashion Sakala got the rewards for his efforts as the champions stormed to a 6-1 victory over Motherwell on Sunday.
Steven Gerrard's side recovered from the loss of an early goal to clinch a comprehensive win that extended their lead over Celtic at the top of the table to four points.
It was captain Tavernier that started the comeback as he produced a lovely finish to cancel out Bevis Mugabi's strike that had piled the pressure on Rangers.
Sakala then came to the fore as he scored either side of the break to make sure of the victory and he would complete his hat-trick late on as Glen Kamara and Kemar Roofe also netted.
The six-goal showing was Rangers' biggest win of the campaign so far and Tavernier was pleased to see Sakala and his Ibrox team-mates hitting the goal trail after a frustrating few weeks in the final third.
Tavernier said: "I was on FaceTime to my brother on my way in and I said that minimum I wanted to win, but I wanted to get an assist or a goal and I am happy that I contributed a goal and two assists.
"I am devastated that Kem knocked Simmo’s in or I would have another assist. I thought the boys were terrific.
"From the goal we conceded, from then on we stuck to the gameplan and I thought throughout the whole game we were terrific. The fans were terrific as well.
"I try to contribute myself but I thought everyone else stepped up. We kept asking questions and we never let off.
"Fashion, he has been absolutely sensational for us. He has been in the background, working hard, and he got his hat-trick today and I am really proud of him.
"I thought everyone contributed so well and it gave us the opportunity to bring on subs and people to get more game time. I thought we were terrific.
"He (Sakala) worked hard from the first whistle to the last whistle. Whoever gave him the gel just before his third goal, that is an assist in itself.
"Great ball from Davo to get him his hat-trick. He worked hard, he got himself in those positions and he has been rewarded."
Rangers went into the Fir Park clash on the back of the disappointing draw with Aberdeen in midweek that saw their advantage in the title race cut once again.
But the champions would make the most of Celtic's slip-up at home to Livingston on Saturday as they stormed to an emphatic victory against the Steelmen.
Boss Gerrard reckoned his side were an 'inch away from being perfect' as he reflected on a pleasing performance and resounding result.
And Tavernier knows Rangers must now find those levels on a consistent basis as attentions turn to the Europa League clash with Brondby on Thursday evening.
Tavernier told RangersTV: "We have got to build on this. We are in a good place. We knew we had to respond through the week and we did that today.
"The fans were right behind us, even though we were down, and we responded well just before half-time.
"We were relentless through the second half and you can see with the amount of goals that we scored that we kept on asking questions until the final whistle. We kept after them and we weren’t letting off.
"We knew it had been coming because we are working hard. I think everything just mixed well.
"The gameplan and everyone’s contributions to it. And the subs as well."
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