Steven Gerrard’s Rangers took a huge step towards their first silverware as they crushed Hearts 3-0 in the League Cup semi-final on Sunday.
They were expected to win and, in reality, Hearts were a mess after sacking manager Craig Levein earlier in the week.
But prior to this game Rangers had lost five consecutive semi-finals without scoring a single goal. Reversing that trend on Sunday shows how far the club has come under Gerrard.
There were some brilliant performances throughout the team – Ryan Jack controlled the game again and Filip Helander popped up with the opening goal in the first half – but there was only one man-of-the-match and it was the masterful Alfredo Morelos, who scored his 19th and 20th goals of the season to make the game safe.
The reward is a mouth-watering cup final against Celtic on December 8 that will prove the ultimate test. A win there would be a huge momentum shifter for the Premiership too.
The debate for the past week has been whether Morelos will angle for a move in January but Sunday was his day – and plenty of Rangers fans took time out to salute their hero after the game.
Alfredo Morelos is easily my favourite Rangers player since Barry Ferguson
Every player should have the attitude he has, fans love to see his passion
I hope we keep him until the summer if not longer!!!
"Welcome to the party"
⚽️🐃🇨🇴@morelos2106 😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/1nq40s3Dla
— 🇬🇧⭐Kyle⭐🇬🇧 (@NeverSu55ender) November 4, 2019
I speak for myself, my Rangers supporting friends and well basically all Rangers fans when I say we are ALL in love with Alfredo Morelos ❤️😀
— Euan MacTaggart (@EuanMacTaggart) November 4, 2019
Ryan Kent had a few moments of brilliance during that game. Quite a handful. Jack and kamara their usual selves in consolidation. Morelos probably does take the motm just for both goals and the assist
— Rangers Live (@live_rangers) November 3, 2019
If we hold onto Morelos next season I see no reason why we cant win the Champions League back to back with the Europa 🤷♂️ #Buffalo #Rangers
— BlueRyu (@Ryan_Haymarch) November 3, 2019
Can’t fault any Rangers player today but special mentions for Jack, Kent, Davis, Kamara & Morelos.
Wonderful displays all round— charlie croker (@charliecroker54) November 3, 2019
Fantastic Rangers performance today Morelos unbelievable so good but Ryan Jack outstanding lost for words how good he is what a player fights for everything. Congratulations to you all fantastic 💙💙
— Ally More (@AlasdairMore) November 3, 2019
Lovely performance today but…. our marking from set pieces remains a concern. Having said that Morelos sensational and that run from Kent superb. Final will tell us if this team has it. #Rangers
— Gazborangers (@gazborangers) November 3, 2019
Proper Rangers Hampden performance today. Jack immense. Davis class. Kent terrorising them. Morelos unstoppable & Tav more like his old self. Looking forward to the final
— Delbert (@Delbert73) November 3, 2019
In other Rangers news, Gerrard issues hands-off warning over Rangers first-team star – ‘he isn’t going anywhere’
