Livingston 0-3 Rangers: Champions win to stay unbeaten in Scottish Premiership
- Published
Highlights: Livingston 0-3 Rangers
Steven Gerrard has urged his Rangers players to "leave a legacy" by completing an unbeaten league season.
The Scottish Premiership champions host Aberdeen in Saturday's closing fixture after beating Livingston 3-0.
James Tavernier's penalty was followed by strikes by Ryan Kent and Ianis Hagi as Rangers recorded a 25th clean sheet in the league and reached 99 points.
"Rangers have never hit 100 points plus, which is a big motivation for us," said Gerrard.
"They have got the clean sheet record now. The boys have got an opportunity not just to be champions but to leave a legacy from the season."
Rangers will receive the Premiership trophy after Saturday's home match with Aberdeen. Livingston remain in contention to jump above their next opponents St Johnstone into fifth place, with the sides level on points and Saints two goals better off.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas troubled Rangers in the early stages, creating space for Josh Mullin to force a save from Jon McLaughlin.
Hagi and Kent flashed shots wide of the Livingston goal before the first half's most contentious moment.
Kemar Roofe flicked the ball through for Hagi in behind the Livingston defence and the Romanian played the ball before he and goalkeeper Max Stryjek collided. Referee Don Robertson regarded it as a foul, despite protests that Hagi had knocked the ball wide.
Tavernier, having missed his past three penalties, stepped up and converted to the goalkeeper's right - his 19th goal this season.
And the club captain was involved in the second goal, his ball over the top finding Kent. The winger tried to lay off for Morelos but forced the striker wide then received the return pass to finish.
Livingston were inches away from halving their deficit on two occasions. Scott Pittman's volley rattled the bar and McLaughlin forced the ball clear under pressure from the chasing pack.
Then substitute Jaze Kabia was presented with their best chance after Nicky Devlin's deflected cross, the forward only able to hit the outside of the left-hand post.
Joe Aribo tested Stryjek moments later and Kabia was off target when he latched on to another Devlin delivery at the other end.
Rangers completed the scoring with a swift move on the left, Roofe's replacement Cedric Itten squaring for Hagi to apply a ruthless finish.
Man of the match - James Tavernier
Tavernier showed character after recent misses from the spot and his all round performance was strong
What did we learn?
Livingston's mid-season 14-match unbeaten run has been the catalyst for their top-half finish but they have won just once since that sequence ended in early February.
Emmanuel-Thomas is a commanding presence in attack, but needs more support from wide areas if Livingston are to finish the season on a high.
Amid injuries and suspensions, Rangers listed only six substitutes and midfielder Aribo played in an unfamiliar left-back role.
He looked far from out of place but there was a deliberate ploy from the visitors to attack on the other side with Tavernier, Kent and Hagi - a tactic that stretched the hosts.
What did they say?
Livingston manager David Martindale: "Wee bit disappointed. I'm quite happy with the performance in spells in the game. Rangers were far more clinical in our box.
"We had more than enough chances to take something from the game. We've hit the bar, we've hit the post, we've also had another chance."
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard: "Tonight we get the clean sheet record and Saturday gives us the opportunity to go break 100 points, which will round off an incredible league campaign.
"Our record at home has been ever so strong - we just need to go and do the final piece now."
What's next?
Rangers complete their campaign against Aberdeen on Saturday (12:30 BST) while Livingston play their last game of the season away to St Johnstone on Saturday (12:30).