Rangers 4-1 Hamilton – Defender steals the show as Gers return to winning ways
By James Black
Rangers overcame an early set-back to thump Hamilton 4-1 on Friday night after goals from Daniel Candeias, Graham Dorrans and a show-stealing double from defender Declan John.
The Light Blues ended the game with ten men after Ryan Jack was sent off in the second-half before referee Andrew Dallas awarded both sides penalty kicks.
The win puts Rangers into third place in the table and the club now goes away to Canada to face Benfica in the Eusebio Cup in Hamilton, Ontario during the international break
Hamilton took the lead after just 56 seconds through Daniel Redmond but Pedro Caixinha’s side showed great character to turn the game around and go in at half-time holding a 3-1 lead after a week where it was claimed that the manager had lost the dressing room.
Welsh full-back John got Rangers back on level terms with his first goal for the club then quickly doubled his tally with a second goal four minutes later.
Portuguese winger Daniel Candieas grabbed a third for the Gers just two minutes after that before sprinting half the length of the pitch to celebrate with manager Caixinha.
The Gers went in at the break coasting and not long after the restart, Jack picked up a second booking and was dismissed.
Caixinha instantly made a change with Jason Holt replacing Carlos Pena and the former Hearts man won a penalty soon after coming on.
Holt almost got on the end of a long ball over the top but was cynically kicked by Skondras and gave the referee no option but to point to the spot.
Dorrans made it 4-1 with the coolest penalty you’re likely to see – casually dinking it straight down the middle of the goal to put the Gers out of sight.
With less than 20 minutes left on the clock, Hamilton won a penalty of their own when McCrorie brought down Botti Biabi but Rakesh Bingham’s spot kick was poor and Wes Foderingham got down low to save.
In other Rangers team news, a Sky Sports pundit has sensationally claimed that Caixinha could be axed.
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