Morton 0-4 Rangers: Martyn Waghorn stars with hat-trick

Rangers restored their nine-point lead at the top of the Scottish Championship with a 4-0 victory over Morton at Cappielow Park.

Martyn Waghorn scored a hat-trick for the promotion favourites and James Tavernier netted the other goal in a comfortable win.

Waghorn scored his seventh penalty this season after just 12 minutes when he sent Derek Gaston the wrong way after Nathan Oduwa was clipped on the byeline by Ross Forbes.

The former Wigan forward was on target again 10 minutes later when he controlled a low delivery from Barrie McKay and shifted his footing before driving the ball past Gaston.

Rangers squandered a great opportunity when Oduwa got on the end of a Gedion Zelalem cross, but McKay was unable to guide the ball over the line.

But the third soon arrived as Morton were caught on the counter-attack with McKay and Zelalem linking to set up Tavernier on the 34th minute to blast his shot home 12 yards.

Morton tried to hit back when Alex Samuel rolled Rob Kiernan inside the box and shot a foot wide of the target.

Michael Tidser then produced a fine save from Wes Foderingham and the Rangers goalkeeper reacted quickly to deny Denny Johnstone following up.

In between those chances Conor Pepper's clearance broke off Oduwa at the edge of the box and dropped to Waghorn, but he shot straight at 'keeper Gaston.

Johnstone then burst into the Rangers penalty area curled a shot towards the far post which just eluded Samuel.

The visitors completed the victory nine minutes from time when a Tavernier cross was only half-cleared into the path of Waghorn to guide into the net from eight yards for his 14th goal of the season.