SOME reckon Rangers can’t live with Alfredo Morelos. This was proof that, right now, they can’t live without him.

The negatives that come with the striker are clear, but they are dwarfed by the positives and he made headlines for all the right reasons here. His absence may have dented Rangers’ Premiership title ambitions, but his return ensured their Scottish Cup dreams are still very much alive as he inspired Steven Gerrard’s side to a 5-0 victory over Kilmarnock.

This was Morelos at his most effective and impressive. It was proof why he can claim to perhaps be the best player in Scotland, and why Rangers will one day struggle to hold onto him.

For now, Gerrard just needs to keep getting the best out of him as he looks to get Rangers’ campaign back on track. This was a win that would have certainly raised the mood around Ibrox.

The absence of Morelos in the first tie at Rugby Park and against St Johnstone at the weekend was noticeable for Rangers and everyone has had their say on his temperament and his discipline after another suspension. Here, it was his actions and his ability that deserved to be talked about as Rangers set up a quarter-final meeting with Aberdeen.

When Morelos scored twice at Pittodrie a couple of weeks ago, he was sent off shortly after the break. There was no red card to blot his report card this time, however, as two first half strikes were followed by two more after the break.

Gerrard admitted this week that he had to ensure Rangers didn’t become over-reliant on Morelos but that is easier said than done when he makes this kind of impact. Rangers don’t just play better with him in the side, they look a completely different outfit.

It took less than a minute for Morelos to get involved for the first time and he was unfortunate that Scott Arfield was marginally flagged offside as he slipped a ball through to the midfielder. It brought a roar of encouragement from Ibrox, and one of celebration soon followed.

The opening stages were always going to be crucial in setting the tone for Gerrard’s side, especially on the back of an uninspiring afternoon at the weekend. Rangers couldn’t afford to allow Killie to get on the front foot and the home crowd on their backs.

From the moment Morelos tapped home from just inches out, that never looked likely. It wasn’t the most spectacular goal he has ever scored, but it showed his ability to be in the right place at the right time as James Tavernier hit a sliderule pass in behind the Kilmarnock defence and Daniel Candeias picked out an unmarked Morelos.

That set the tone for Rangers. There were brief moments of angst as Kilmarnock looked to mount a comeback but those hopes faded and then were ended before the break. They had a numerical disadvantage on the park, and the deficit soon doubled.

All eyes were on Ryan Kent as he prepared to take a corner on the Rangers left but glances switched to the six-yard box as Glen Kamara hit the deck. Soon, Daniel Bachmann was walking up the tunnel.

The keeper protested his innocence, but referee Alan Muir had made his mind up as Bachmann was punished for catching Kamara with an elbow. Whether it was inadvertent or not, only the Austrian will know.

The blow was compounded for Killie as Alex Bruce was forced off through injury and Aaron Tshibola replaced him as Conor McAleny made way for Jamie MacDonald to take his place between the sticks.

At that stage, it was more about getting to the interval only a goal behind for Steve Clarke’s side, but it was an ambition they couldn’t achieve. Rangers came within inches of a second as Tavernier’s thunderous shot rattled the woodwork and bounced clear, but they didn’t have to wait long to double their advantage.

It was the Gers captain and Candeias that combined once again and when the Portuguese swung in a teasing cross from the right, Morelos was on hand to do the important bit. From a couple of yards, he nodded the ball into the net and once again took the acclaim of Ibrox.

A tie that seemed poised to be a tight, competitive affair was now all-but won. The third goal would have confirmed it, but Arfield couldn’t finish after good work from Borna Barisic and Kent, while Morelos twice came close to completing his hat-trick.

Rangers didn’t really need another goal to show their superiority but more than one soon arrived. The quick start Clarke would have hoped for never materialised and the visitors looked beaten long before the final whistle was blown on their cup campaign.

Rangers had been more than comfortable since the interval but they added a shine to the scoreline as Andy Halliday, only just on the park to replace Barisic, swept the ball home from inside the area.

The biggest cheers were reserved for Morelos, though, as he beat MacDonald at his near post to complete his hat-trick and then found the bottom corner to round off the scoring.

A five-goal win deserved a five star review. There was one man that took most of the plaudits, though, and the award for Man of the Match was the easiest one that has been made at Ibrox all season.