RANGERS’ hopes of a league and Scottish Cup Double are ON after a derby win over Celtic at Ibrox.
The Light Blues ran out 2-0 winners to secure a spot in the quarter-final stage of the competition as they aim to add to their Premiership triumph.
Steven Davis and an own goal from Jonjoe Kenny handed Steven Gerrard’s men another victory over the Hoops this season and ensured their rivals won’t end the season with any silverware this campaign.
Celtic were handed a massive chance to pull a goal back with 11 minutes to play from the spot after sub Leigh Griffiths was bundled over by Joe Aribo.
However, Allan McGregor dived low to his right to deny Odsonne Edouard. It was a good stop from the Rangers keeper but the Frenchman will be disappointed with his effort.
Betfred Cup winners St Johnstone are next up for Rangers with the duo set to go head-to-head at Ibrox next weekend.
The hosts – who are yet to taste defeat in the league this season – grabbed the opener after just 10 minutes following a stunning goal from veteran midfielder Davis.
The Northern Ireland international produced a wonderful acrobatic overhead kick to leave Hoops keeper Scott Bain with no chance following Aribo’s deflected shot that spun through the air into his path in the box.
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Celtic grew into the game despite trailing with Edouard forcing McGregor into a fine spot before Filip Helander cleared off his own goal line as the visitors looked for a way back into the contest.
But they were unable to make the pressure count and Rangers doubled their lead 10 minutes before the break.
A well worked move released Aribo down the right-side and after tearing past Diego Laxalt with some impressive footwork the midfielder fired across the face of goal towards Ryan Kent but the last touch came off Kenny as he turned the ball past his own keeper.
One minute into the second half McGregor was forced into a flying save from David Turnbull as John Kennedy’s men looked for the perfect start to the half to bring them back into the match.
The Rangers No1 was called into action once again as he produced another big save, something he has done on numerous occasions this season.
Kenny’s ball down the channel found Elyounoussi who turned away from two Rangers defenders before firing low at goal but McGregor was quick off his line to deny the attacker with his body.
The rebound landed at the feet of Edouard but the Frenchman fired over the bar.
Two minutes later the Hoops missed a golden chance to pull a goal back.
A mistake at the back from Nathan Patterson allowed Edouard to race down on goal before laying in Elyounoussi – but the Norwegian took a poor touch that allowed McGregor to dive out to his feet and deny the attacker. It really was a huge chance for the Hoops man.
Just after the hour the hosts could have put their Old Firm rivals out of sight.
Kent expertly turned Brown before unleashing a shot at goal and after being denied by Bain, the follow-up fell to Morelos in the box but he fired straight into the hands of Celtic No1.
With 11 minutes to play Celtic were handed a massive chance to get themselves back into the contest after Griffiths went down after a push from Aribo
But McGregor produced a fine stop to deny the Frenchman from 12-yards.
It proved to be the last act of the game as the Light Blues advanced to last eight with St Johnstone awaiting the champions next weekend.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
