Rangers beat Lincoln Red Imps 5-0 to set up Willem II Europa League tie

Alfredo Morelos scored twice as Rangers routed Lincoln Red Imps in Gibraltar to set up a Europa League third qualifying round tie with Willem II.

Morelos turned in from close range and fellow substitute Jermain Defoe broke his duck for the season.

And the subs combined for the visitors’ fifth goal, Morelos clipping home.

Rangers will be the away side for next week’s meeting with Dutch side Willem II, who beat Progres Niederkorn 5-0 on Wednesday.

After a cagey opening, Rangers were given the opportunity to go in front when Ianis Hagi was felled by Roy Chipolina 25 yards out in the inside left channel.

Tavernier, who had scored against Hamilton and Dundee United in recent weeks, curved the ball powerfully into the far corner, leaving Kyle Goldwin no chance.

Kemar Roofe’s match ended on 39 minutes with Nathan Patterson sent on in his place but Rangers soon doubled their lead after Hagi drew another foul, this time near the byline.

Borna Barisic’s pinpoint delivery found Goldson in space and the defender barely had to get off his feet to nod home seconds before the half-time whistle.

Lincoln Red Imps should have halved the deficit following a free-kick but Chipolina could not beat Allan McGregor from close range.

Morelos had replaced Tavernier at the break and he made no mistake inside the six-yard box after Greg Stewart headed Barisic’s free-kick back across goal.

And Defoe, on for Cedric Itten to make his first appearance of the season, turned in the box to send a shot past Goldwin for the fourth.

Defoe turned provider with a pass for Morelos to race clear and dink the ball into the net late on.

Man of the match - Borna Barisic

What did we learn?

Gerrard faced a spate of injuries at the weekend and shuffled his pack with six changes to the starting line-up, illustrating the greater squad depth he has this term.

Morelos had been carried off on a stretcher against Dundee United on Saturday but recovered in time to play while Stewart and George Edmundson started for the first time this season. Defoe got his first run out in the second half.

Morelos and Defoe netted 46 goals between them in 2019-20 and even with limited game time the pair have a combined five goals already this season.

With Ryan Kent rested on the bench, Rangers still created plenty of openings and Hagi’s movement was a constant nuisance for the hosts.

What’s next?

Stiffer tests await Rangers in their next two games with in-form Hibernian hosting the Ibrox side in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday before next week’s Europa League engagement in Tilburg.