Martyn Waghorn takes season tally to 14 with hat-trick in Rangers win at Morton
Martyn Waghorn hit a hat-trick as Rangers returned to winning ways with a 4-0 victory over Morton at Cappielow.
Rangers had their eighth consecutive Ladbrokes Championship win wrapped up with three goals inside 34 minutes to dispel any concerns their fans might have had over their League Cup defeat by St Johnstone having a lingering effect.
Morton had enjoyed contrasting fortunes in midweek with a 3-2 extra-time win over Motherwell and they had some decent moments against the league leaders - but Rangers proved too slick as they moved nine points clear at the summit.
Waghorn opened the scoring in the 12th minute with his seventh penalty of the season and turned and fired home 10 minutes later. Right-back James Tavernier struck his eighth goal of the season before Waghorn took his overall tally to 14 with a first-time finish in the 81st minute.
Rangers started in purposeful fashion and referee Willie Collum had no hesitation in pointing to the spot when Ross Forbes tripped Nathan Oduwa near the byline before Waghorn sent Derek Garston the wrong way.
Waghorn netted his second when he held off Thomas O'Ware after collecting Barrie McKay's cross from out wide, and turned and fired into the corner of the net from eight yards.
Rangers came close to a third when Oduwa ran unchecked round the back before returning Gedion Zelalem's cross back across goal - but McKay was unable to force the ball home under pressure.
However, they did not have to wait for long to get their third goal, Tavernier running on to Zelalem's pass and slotting home as Rangers overwhelmed their hosts on the break.
Morton had been contributing to an entertaining game with Forbes sending some dangerous long passes and curling a free-kick just wide.
The hosts then had two good chances but Bobby Barr shot weakly at Wes Foderingham before Alex Samuel sliced wide after Danny Wilson had been beaten by the bounce of the ball.
Gaston saved twice from Waghorn before Foderingham produced a brilliant double save from Michael Tidser and Denny Johnston following Barr's cross.
Johnston almost made a game of it moments into the second half when he easily beat Tavernier - but he curled wide from a tight angle.
Rangers maintained control, keeping possession for long spells - and after substitute Kenny Miller had forced a good save from Gaston following a neat passing move, Rangers rounded off the scoring when Waghorn finished high into the net from 10 yards after the home defence failed to deal with a cross.
Source: PA
