Sunday 4 March 2018 18:43, UK
Jason Cummings' first-ever hat-trick eased Rangers past Falkirk 4-1 to set up a Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic.
The striker, making just his fourth start since joining in January, curled the hosts ahead on 16 minutes.
Falkirk captain Aaron Muirhead (20) unknowingly diverted the ball past Jak Alnwick to level for the visitors but Cummings (21) restored the hosts' lead just 28 seconds later as he coolly slotted into the right-hand corner.
A slice of luck just before half-time extended Rangers lead, as Muirhead turned in Daniel Candeias' cross into his own net before Cummings added his third (75), bundling the ball in after Alfredo Morelos' shot was saved.
The reward for the Gers' comprehensive victory is a tasty clash against their Glasgow rivals, with Aberdeen or Kilmarnock taking on Motherwell in the other tie - with both matches taking place at Hampden.
Rangers began the match on the front foot, earning four corners within the first 10 minutes of the match as they searched for an early goal.
Cummings, on loan from Nottingham Forest, was played in by continually impressive Candeias on the left and did well to curl his shot past goalkeeper Robbie Thomson from a tight angle to open the scoring.
Conceding looked to wake the visitors and an eventful minute for Falkirk captain Aaron Muirhead saw him booked after a tussle with David Bates after the visitors had won a free-kick, before the resulting set-piece fell to Craig Sibbald, whose shot hit his skipper in the midriff and trickled into the net.
From the kick-off, Rangers broke and Cummings collect the ball from Candeias before a neat turn allowed him the smallest bit of space to unleash his shot and put his side ahead once more.
With the first half drawing to an end, Rangers earned a free-kick on the left and Candeias completed a hat-trick of assists as he was released down the left and his wicked cross came off Muirhead's shin, wrong-footing Thomson in the process.
Having scored 11 braces in his career to date, Cummings finally claimed a third as he reacted quickest after Morelos' shot was saved with 15 minutes remaining.
It was an ideal performance from Rangers ahead of their Old Firm derby clash against Celtic in the Premiership next Sunday.
