Scottish Cup holders Rangers eased past Raith Rovers at Ibrox to progress to the competition’s semi-finals.
Connor Goldson’s goal on the brink of half-time was well-deserved, before Ryan Nolan’s unfortunate own-goal and Scott Arfield’s injury-time strike.
Michael Beale’s side dominated proceedings and never looked like losing to their Championship opposition.
Rangers now join Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Celtic in the final four.
The draw for the semi-finals follows Falkirk v Ayr United on Monday, live on BBC Scotland.
Incredibly, Raith Rovers almost opened the scoring in spectacular circumstances when Isma Goncalves tried to lob Allan McGregor from the half-way line – but it bounced just wide.
That was about all the visitors were able to conjure up. Rangers soon went about surrounding the Rovers box, but they struggled to break into the area cleanly in open play.
Instead, they relied on whipping inviting crosses towards Fashion Sakala and Antonio Colak. They found no joy until Goldson joined the attack from a corner, and his emphatic back-post header eased any Ibrox nerves just before the break.
James Tavernier almost caught out Jamie MacDonald in the first half with a cross to the front post. He went closer in the second, collecting a half-cleared corner and smashing a half-volley off a post.
Rangers’ second goal was an even better finish. Unfortunately, it came from a Rovers player. A nothing cross came low into the box and Nolan somehow sliced his clearance high over MacDonald and in.
The hosts pushed for a third, with Todd Cantwell trying from distance and MacDonald producing a smart stop to deny sub Arfield.
The keeper couldn’t stop the third goal, though, with Arfield finishing from close range following a nice attacking move.
Rudimentary in the end for Rangers.
Player of the match – Borna Barisic (Rangers)
Straightforward for Rangers, if lacking in spark – analysis
Whether looking at the game statistically or just with the naked eye, it was clear that Rangers dominated and deserved to win.
The only worry Beale and some fans would have is their lack of a clinical touch up top – a surprise given the clinic they put on against Hibs through the week.
They don’t lack creativity, but there was little cutting edge to their game and Beale will be keen to change that.
Colak was sloppy, and with Alfredo Morelos perhaps on his way out, a new striker might be top of the summer wish list.
What they said
Rangers manager Michael Beale: “Raith sat back and the styles clashed in the game. It wasn’t one that got the pulses raising. It was still 3-0, still comfortable, 24 shots, 18 corners. I’d have liked us to be a little more ruthless at times.
“We were slightly quicker at the start of the second-half. It’s a different problem each game to solve. It feels a bit flat, the crowd were a little flat because there was expectation in the air. In a few weeks, everyone will just remember the score.”
Raith Rovers manager Ian Murray: “I take tremendous pride in the players and the football. On and off the park we conducted ourselves in the right manner.
“We knew it would be difficult. There’s so many positives today. Yes, we acknowledge the negatives – we’re out of the cup – but my overriding feeling is pride.”
What’s next?
Rangers travel to Motherwell in league action next Saturday (12:30 GMT), while Raith host Cove Rangers in the Championship (15:00) the same day.
Line-ups
Rangers
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1McGregor
- 2Tavernier
- 6GoldsonSubstituted forSouttarat 66′minutes
- 26Davies
- 31BarisicSubstituted forYilmazat 66′minutes
- 4LundstramBooked at 75mins
- 43Raskin
- 30SakalaSubstituted forArfieldat 66′minutes
- 13CantwellBooked at 90mins
- 14KentSubstituted forHagiat 78′minutes
- 9ColakSubstituted forMorelosat 78′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Yilmaz
- 7Hagi
- 8Jack
- 16Souttar
- 18Kamara
- 20Morelos
- 23Wright
- 33McLaughlin
- 37Arfield
Raith Rovers
Formation 4-5-1
- 1MacDonald
- 30MassonSubstituted forYoungat 81′minutes
- 12Lang
- 5Nolan
- 3Dick
- 7ConnollyBooked at 41mins
- 6SpencerBooked at 69mins
- 16Stanton
- 11McBrideSubstituted forVaughanat 45′minutesBooked at 90mins
- 23Easton
- 77Esmael GonçalvesSubstituted forRossat 68′minutes
Substitutes
- 10Vaughan
- 17Thomson
- 19Mahady
- 22Ross
- 29Young
- Referee:
- John Beaton
- Attendance:
- 41,168
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Rangers 3, Raith Rovers 0.
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Second Half ends, Rangers 3, Raith Rovers 0.
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Attempt missed. Ianis Hagi (Rangers) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is close, but misses to the left following a corner.
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Attempt saved. Nicolas Raskin (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
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Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Tom Lang.
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Lewis Vaughan (Raith Rovers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Todd Cantwell (Rangers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Todd Cantwell (Rangers).
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Lewis Vaughan (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Goal! Rangers 3, Raith Rovers 0. Scott Arfield (Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Todd Cantwell.
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John Souttar (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Lewis Vaughan (Raith Rovers).
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Substitution, Raith Rovers. Greig Young replaces Adam Masson.
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Foul by Todd Cantwell (Rangers).
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Brad Spencer (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt saved. Scott Arfield (Rangers) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner.
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Substitution, Rangers. Alfredo Morelos replaces Antonio-Mirko Colak.
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Substitution, Rangers. Ianis Hagi replaces Ryan Kent.
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Foul by Todd Cantwell (Rangers).
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Liam Dick (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Player of the match
MacDonaldJamie MacDonald
Rangers
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Squad number13Player nameCantwell
Average rating6.22
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Squad number31Player nameBarisic
Average rating5.85
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Squad number6Player nameGoldson
Average rating5.84
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Squad number37Player nameArfield
Average rating5.73
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Squad number14Player nameKent
Average rating5.65
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Squad number2Player nameTavernier
Average rating5.57
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Squad number43Player nameRaskin
Average rating5.51
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Squad number26Player nameDavies
Average rating5.48
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Squad number9Player nameColak
Average rating5.30
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Squad number30Player nameSakala
Average rating5.26
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Squad number4Player nameLundstram
Average rating5.23
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Squad number1Player nameMcGregor
Average rating5.19
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Squad number7Player nameHagi
Average rating4.83
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Squad number3Player nameYilmaz
Average rating4.79
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Squad number20Player nameMorelos
Average rating4.53
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Squad number16Player nameSouttar
Average rating4.44
Raith Rovers
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Squad number1Player nameMacDonald
Average rating7.32
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Squad number12Player nameLang
Average rating7.22
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Squad number5Player nameNolan
Average rating7.11
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Squad number16Player nameStanton
Average rating7.08
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Squad number23Player nameEaston
Average rating6.92
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Squad number7Player nameConnolly
Average rating6.87
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Squad number3Player nameDick
Average rating6.82
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Squad number6Player nameSpencer
Average rating6.82
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Squad number11Player nameMcBride
Average rating6.80
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Squad number10Player nameVaughan
Average rating6.80
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Squad number22Player nameRoss
Average rating6.80
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Squad number30Player nameMasson
Average rating6.78
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Squad number77Player nameEsmael Gonçalves
Average rating6.69
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Squad number29Player nameYoung
Average rating6.37