Hamilton Accies 1-4 Rangers: Steven Gerrard's side end wait for away win in the Premiership

Victory over Hamilton wasn’t a surprise, but it was merited. It wasn’t a memorable performance, but it was a crucial result.

A first half strike from Ryan Kent was followed by two James Tavernier penalties and a late effort from Alfredo Morelos. Steven Boyd had given Accies hope, but it was brief.

The final scoreline may have flattered Rangers but that won’t be of a concern to Gerrard. He had the win he had travelled to Lanarkshire for as the Gers climbed to fifth in the Premiership and ended an unwanted record on the road.

Ibrox has become the fortress that Gerrard needed it to be this season as Rangers have produced their finest performances and earned some of their best results on home soil in recent months.

They have been undone too easily across the country, though, and it is the points dropped away that leave them in mid-table in the Premiership standings.

The draw at Aberdeen on the opening weekend was followed by another at Motherwell. Two defeats at Celtic and Livingston have raised questions about Gerrard’s side and they had to find the answers at the Hope CBD Stadium.

Having seen Celtic and Hearts win on Saturday afternoon as they overcame Hibernian and Aberdeen respectively, Gerrard’s side knew there was no margin for error here. Rangers couldn’t afford another away day struggle.

In one way, they did just that. Importantly, though, this lacklustre showing didn’t come at a cost.

Rangers went into the international break in fine form after two rousing wins over Rapid Vienna and Hearts at Ibrox. They didn’t quite pick up where they left off, though.

Gerrard made three changes as Andy Halliday replaced Jon Flanagan at left-back, Nikola Katic returned in place of Joe Worrall and Jordan Rossiter was handed his first start since the final day of last season.

It was a side that should have been more than capable of seeing off an Accies outfit that have struggled so far this term. It took Rangers some time to get going, however, as they produce a sluggish first half showing.

The goal from Kent that finally broke the deadlock came at the end of Rangers’ best move. It was a crucial moment for Gerrard’s side and one that hadn’t looked like it would come as the Gers struggled to find their rhythm.

Chances had been in short supply but, six minutes from the interval, Kent found the way to goal and made no mistake.

Lassana Coulibaly started the move as he won the ball from Ziggy Gordon and found Morelos. His pass sent Kent free and the winger had too much pace for Alex Penny.

His finish was too good for Gary Woods as he dinked a neat effort over the keeper and into the net. He was booked for his celebrations as he joined the fans on the far side but it was a price worth paying for Rangers as they ensured they went in ahead at the interval.

That hadn’t always looked likely for Gerrard’s side. They had toiled for most of the half and an effort from Ovie Ejaria after half an hour had been their first shot on target.

Daniel Candeias and Coulibaly had tried their luck with strikes of their own but there was little creativity and spark about the Light Blues as Hamilton sat it and set out to frustrate them.

It was tough going and a tough watch for the travelling Gers fans but there wasn’t exactly a lot for the home crowd to get excited about either. There was plenty of effort from Canning’s side, but not enough quality.

An Aaron McGowan effort that whistled over the bar and a low strike from Darian MacKinnon at the back post was all that Accies could muster. A half-hearted penalty appeal when Tavernier tangled with Mickel Miller was rightly waved away.

Referee Andrew Dallas attracted the ire from the home crowd. It at least gave them something to shout about.

It was an uninspiring showing from Accies and Rangers weren’t much better. They did, at least, have a bit more attacking intent about them and Ovie Ejaria forced Woods into action with their first effort after the break.

Gerrard’s side were comfortable without being in control but the second goal that would have secured the points continued to elude them.

Rangers needed a spark but it was difficult to see where it was going to come from as Morelos was denied service. It was workmanlike from Gerrard’s side as they inched towards the finishing line.

They got there, but only after a frantic dash. Allan McGregor saved well from Rakish Bingham before fellow substitute James Keatings fired wide of target on the rebound.

Accies would have feared that their chance had gone but they soon had their goal, and in spectacular fashion. Just seconds after Gerrard had introduced Worrall in place of Katic in an attempt to see the game out, his side lost their advantage.

It was a moment of magic from Boyd as he beat Rossiter and moved to within shooting distance. His strike was sweet and McGregor was left with no chance as the ball arrowed into the top corner of his net.

Rangers were now staring at the unthinkable. They weren’t for long, though, as their blushes were spared.

Gerrard had Tavernier to thank as he converted twice from the spot but there was also an inadvertent helping hand from Penny.

The first of two spot-kicks was awarded after the defender was adjudged to have used his arm to divert a Candeias cross wide of target. Tavernier stepped up and clinched the win as he found the top corner of Woods’ net.

Seconds later, he fired the ball straight down the middle after Morelos was bundled over by Penny. Of his eight goals this term, seven have now come from 12 yards.

That was the game won, but it wasn’t the end of the scoring. There was still time for one more as Morelos’ pass sent Candeias clear. The Portuguese was denied but the ball fell to Morelos again and he worked himself space before finding the net.

After an uneventful, largely unremarkable 90 minutes, it was a dramatic finale. It wasn’t the one that Hamilton wanted or that Rangers needed.

The victory and the three points were very much required, though. On a day when they had to win, Rangers did just that.