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A James Taverier penalty double ensured Rangers took three points back to Ibrox following a battling win against Hamilton at the HopeCBD Stadium on Sunday.

Ryan Kent's first-half goal was cancelled out by Steven Boyd's wonder-strike, but the two penalties in 84 and 87 minutes meant there was no doubt of who the winners would be.

Hamilton boss Martin Canning made four changes to the side that lost 6-0 at Hibs a fortnight ago, with Ziggy Gordon, Alex Penny, Darian MacKinnon and Mickel Miller in for Shaun Want, Matthew Kilgallon, Steven Boyd and Rakish Bingham.

Rangers made three changes, with Jordan Rossiter, Andy Halliday and Nikola Katic in for Joe Worrall, Jon Flanagan and Scott Arfield.

Nobody really threatened in the game until the 13th minute, but Rangers' Daniel Candeias pulled his shot wide of the left post.

Hamilton went close in 16 minutes when Scott Martin sent a long-range pile-driver just over and a minute after that MacKinnon volleyed past from a Fredrik Brustad cross.

Rangers were given a real let-off in 21 minutes when James Tavernier held Mickel Miler and then appeared to bring him down inside the box, but referee Andrew Dallas wasn't interested.

(Image: Isn MacNicol/Getty Images)

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A foul on Miller just outside the box gave Hamilton another chance in 25 minutes but Dougie Imrie's free kick was deflected into Allan McGregor's arms.

Rangers took the lead in 39 minutes when Alfredo Morelos sent Ryan Kent through on goal and he drew Gary Woods before chipping the ball past him and high into the net.

Hamilton had a chance to level in 44 minutes when McGregor's punched clearance fell to MacKinnon, but he fired past.

Miller was sent through on goal in 51 minutes but Connor Goldson reacted well to block his shot and snuff out the danger.

Miller was causing problems and in 58 minutes his superb turn took him into the box but he fired low past the right post as he was tackled.

A good move by Rangers sent Oviemuno Ejaria into the box and he skipped inside before unleashing a curling shot that Woods did well to punch past the right post.

(Image: Rob Casey/SNS Group)

Hamilton nearly levelled in 79 minutes when sub Rakish Bingham was sent through and McGregor blocked his shot, with Steven Boyd's follow-up flying just past the right post.

Boyd took the ball for a run before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top left cornr to level in 81 minutes.

But Alex Penny was penalised for a hand ball in 84 minutes and that gave Tavernier the chance to rip the ball into the top left corner.

Three minutes later a push on Morelos gave him another chance and he beat Woods from 12 yards.

Morelos got on the score-sheet to add a fourth late in stoppage time when he picked up a loose ball after Ross McCrorie's shot was blocked by Woods.

HAMILTON: Woods, Gordon (Boyd, 75), Tshiembe, Penny, McMann, McGowan, MacKinnon, Martin, Imrie, Miller (Keatings, 69), Brustad (Bingham, 62).

Subs (not used): Fulton (GK), Keatings, Want, L. Smith, Sowah.

Bookings: Miller (11), McGowan (18), MacKinnon (75)

RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Rossiter Grezda, 82), Halliday, Coulibaly, Candeias, Kent (McCrorie, 87), Ejaria, Katic (Worrall, 79), Morelos.

Subs (not used): Foderingham (GK), Umar, Flanagan, Middleton.

Bookings: Candeias (43), Rossiter (71), Morelos (75), Halliday (90+1)

Referee: Andrew Dallas.

Attendance: 5013.