RANGERS have moved up to second spot in the Premiership standings after a 3-0 win over Livingston at Ibrox.

Steven Gerrard’s side started a defining run of fixtures at home and abroad with an important three points thanks to goals from Daniel Candeias, Alfredo Morelos and Scott Arfield.

After going into the international break on the back of a 7-1 win over Motherwell, Gerrard would have wanted his side to pick up where they left off at Ibrox. They did in terms of the result, if not their showing.

The Gers turned in one of their worst performances of the campaign in the defeat to Livingston earlier in season and the Lions were once again difficult opponents to overcome.

It was the visitors that had the first real chance of a competitive encounter as Alan Lithgow’s strike clipped the post after Rangers had failed to clear a free-kick and Shaun Byrne fired the ball back into the area.

It was an early warning sign for Rangers but they responded well and were soon deservedly in the lead. Ovie Ejaria had come close after cutting in from the left with a driving run, while Liam Kelly denied Arfield with a terrific save before Lithgow cleared a follow-up from Candeias off the line.

Just minutes later, it was the Portuguese that broke the deadlock. A Middleton corner was whipped into the area and Candeias glanced a header beyond Kelly from six yards.

It was a crucial breakthrough for Rangers but one that they couldn’t add to before the interval as Livingston stood firm and threatened to pull level.

Lithgow headed wide of target and Scott Pittman fired over from the edge of the area but it was former Gers kid Craig Halkett that came closest as Allan McGregor parried away a free-kick.

The visitors were enjoying their best spell of the match at this stage but it was Rangers that should have found the net before they returned to the dressing room at the break.

Arfield came close as he flicked a James Tavernier cross towards the front post, before Kelly had to get his fingertips to a Candeias cross that threatened to catch him out under his crossbar.

It was Lafferty that had the best chance, though. Lithgow was charged down by Arfield and the ball fell to the Northern Irishman but, with just Kelly to beat, he could only find the side netting as a glorious opportunity was spurned.

It ensured Livingston were still very much in this one as boss Gary Holt eyed another historic win this term and the visitors continued to pose Rangers problems without really testing McGregor

A low strike from Middleton was all that the Light Blues could muster and it was no surprise to see Gerrard turn to his bench after an hour as Morelos took over from Lafferty.

The Colombian added a bit of urgency to Rangers’ play but the groans of frustration were soon audible around Ibrox as Gerrard’s side edged towards the winning line. They were heard again when McGregor had to make a smart save to deny Keaghan Jacobs.

With just seven minutes remaining, Morelos ensured Ibrox could cheer once again, and perhaps breathe a sigh of relief as he burst into the box, cut across the Livingston defence and beat Kelly with a clinical strike.

The striker picked up a booking that will run him out of the trip to Dens Park to face Dundee in a fortnight’s time before he got an assist to his credit.

A cross from the right found Arfield at the near post and the midfielder got a deserved goal with a neat finish from a tight angle to finally give Rangers some breathing space.

The game was beyond Livingston now as their efforts went unrewarded. It was closer on the park than it was on the scoreboard, though.