STEVEN GERRARD got the reaction he wanted from his Rangers players as they swept aside Kilmarnock 5-0 at Ibrox to book their place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.
The Light Blues came under fire from their boss at the weekend as he hit out at a lacklustre performance in the goalless Premiership draw with St Johnstone.
But there were plenty of positives for Gerrard to take here as Alfredo Morelos hit four and Andy Halliday also found the target in a comprehensive win that sets up a meeting with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Killie had keeper Daniel Bachmann sent off in the first half and Rangers made the most of their numerical advantage, with Morelos in particular in stunning form in the final third.
It was a pleasing night all round for Gerrard and the Ibrox crowd and the 38-year-old believes this was much more like it after a frustrating showing against the Saints.
Gerrard said: “A lot better than the weekend. The fans and myself got the reaction we were looking for.
“The players won the fans back over after the weekend. The performance was there. People will talk about the advantage but I thought we were super when it was 11 v 11.
“We got in front and I thought we built on that lead. The ref sent the keeper off then we never rested on our laurels, we kept going all the way and that’s what pleased me the most tonight. We scored goals and wanted to create with a fantastic scoreline.
“We looked more like a Rangers team. The weekend was flat and predictable with no creativity and why everyone was frustrated. Taking three or four steps forwards then a huge one back. There’s no chance of being successful if that’s the case.
“For me you have to approach every game with the same mentality and that’s when you show threats and can go on runs of games to be successful. Discipline has also hurt us this season.”
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