James Tavernier was yet again Rangers’ man on the spot as he slotted home his 50th career penalty as Michael Beale’s team tucked into another three points at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
A sensational free-kick from the Ibrox captain then doubled Gers’ lead before substitute Kemar Roofe made it the perfect preparation for next weekend’s Viaplay Cup final clash with Celtic with a late third. The result handed Beale a 13th win from 14 in charge but the Light Blues didn’t need luck to stroll to their seventh win in their last eight trips to West Lothian.
While Gers remain nine points behind Ange Postecoglou’s Premiership leaders, the result could have dire consequences for the Lions - who had Stephane Omega sent-off late on - and their European ambitions after they dropped two places to sixth. Beale had insisted he would ignore the looming prospect of next week’s Hampden clash and send out his strongest team to face Davie Martindale’s men.
