Five-star Gers move clear

30 April 2011 14:30
Rangers threw down the gauntlet to rivals Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title race by cruising to a 5-0 win at Motherwell. Kyle Lafferty, Steven Davis and Nikica Jelavic grabbed a goal apiece and Steven Naismith claimed a brace as the Scottish champions stretched their lead at the summit to four points. The onus is now on Celtic to respond to the pressure and put points on the board against Dundee United on Sunday and make the most of their game in hand at Inverness in midweek. Rangers were ahead after 17 minutes when Davis provided the pass for Lafferty, who rounded the goalkeeper before sending an angled drive into the back of the net despite the best efforts of Stevie Hammell trying to block on the line. Hopes of a Motherwell fightback were dealt a blow when Rangers doubled their lead five minutes after the restart. Gregg Wylde delivered a great ball to the feet of Naismith, whose shot was blocked by Darren Randolph but fell kindly for Davis to rifle home the rebound. Jelavic was finally on the scoresheet after 64 minutes when he met a cross from Sasa Papac at the back post and nodded home from close range. Rangers were still hungry for goals and claimed their fourth of the day with 75 minutes gone. Naismith exchanged passes with Jelavic before leaving Randolph with no chance with a ferocious shot from distance. With the points secure, Naismith put the gloss on the win with seconds to go as he crashed a fierce swerving shot into the top corner from a tight angle to complete the rout and claim his double.

Source: PA