Rangers have reached the last four of the Scottish Cup after victory over Raith Rovers at Ibrox.
Michael Beale's men are the holders of the famous old trophy and they are now just two games away from lifting the big prize once again after seeing off Ian Murray's Scottish Championship outfit in the last eight. Connor Goldson's bullet header opened the scoring three minutes before half-time after Jamie MacDonald had denied the hosts on a couple of occasions. Ryan Nolan then had a moment to forget as he turned home James Tavernier's low cross just before the hour to double the advantage before sub Scott Arfield wrapped things up in the final minutes.
Celtic and Inverness have already joined the Light Blues in the hat for the semi-final draw with one of Falkirk or Ayr United joining them to complete the line-up for the Hampden showdowns. It's a trophy Beale and his troops are desperate to retain after League Cup Final disappointment at the national stadium against Celtic while they face a tall order in the Premiership with nine points between themselves and Ange Postecoglou's side at the summit with ten games to go. Here's three things we learned as Rangers run out comfortable winners.
READ MORE: Rangers player ratings vs Raith Rovers as holders book Scottish Cup semi-final spot in Ibrox win
Keeping faith
Michael Beale once again limited his changes with just ONE from the midweek win over Hibs.
The Rangers boss went unchanged from the win over Kilmarnock for the trip to Easter Road with John Lundstram in for Ryan Jack today mainly to manage and protect the latter.
That means for three consecutive games he has stuck with ten of his starters.
Some may have expected changes for this one against Raith Rovers but after the warning from Partick Thistle in the previous round the Ibrox gaffer took no risks and went for the in-form and tried and tested.
In it to win it
Rangers are back at Hampden and are now within two games of retaining their Scottish Cup crown.
They join Celtic and Inverness in the hat for the semi-final draw with Falkirk or Ayr United joining the trio.
The Light Blues went all the way last term with Michael Beale determined to lift the famous old trophy come June.
All eyes will be on the draw and who stands in the way of a spot in the final and end of season showpiece.
Back to it
John Souttar and Ridvan Yilmaz picked up some crucial minutes as they continue injury returns.
The Scotland international made a cameo appearance last week in the Premiership win over Kilmarnock at Ibrox and played alongside left-back Yilmaz midweek for the Rangers B side in the Glasgow Cup.
Both will almost be like new signings due to their lengthy periods out as they bid to show Michael Beale why they deserve to crack into his starting XI.
It won't be easy for the duo with Connor Goldson and Ben Davies becoming a slid pairing at centre-back while Borna Barisic - like he has been for many years now - has been an ever-present on the left side.
A massive ten league games plus a Scottish Cup semi-final and potential final left for the two to impress in.
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