Scottish Cup 5th rd: Annan Ath 0-3 Rangers - visitors ease through after first-half goal spree

1. FT: Annan Athletic 0-3 Rangers - Helander marks first appearance in five months with opener; Roofe whips into bottom corner & Sakala cross loops into net
2. FT: Hearts 0-0 Livingston - hosts through on penalties in all-Premiership tie
3. FT: Motherwell 2-1 Aberdeen - Ramirez heads in his 15th of season; Van Veen fires deflected equaliser for hosts then Shields sweeps home
4. FT: Partick Th 0-1 Dundee Utd - Harkes nets fine finish from outside box
5. FT: St Mirren 4-0 Kelty Hearts - Greive converts close-range header, Jones curls stunning strike into top corner then Kiltie double caps win
6. Morton & Kilmarnock win in Championship; League 1 leaders Cove held by Queen's Park; Stranraer win in League 2

Chance for Lowry, King and Simpson

That turns out to be Aaron Ramsey's last involvement as the on-loan Juventus midfielder is replaced.

On come young midfielder Alex Lowry and defenders Leon King and Jack Simpson.

Filip Helander, who opened the scoring, and veteran Steven Davis are also withdrawn.

Another Annan break as Aaron Ramsey over-runs the ball.

Cameron Clark races towards the edge of the Rangers penalty box, but the defender's powerful low drive skids wide of the far post.

Rangers to introduce youth?

Martin Dowden

BBC Sport Scotland at Galabank

We’ve seen flashes of threat from Annan but nothing overly concerning for Rangers, who are cantering to the quarter-finals.

Perhaps an opportunity now to get some youth out there with the likes of Alex Lowry desperate to get on the pitch and bank more experience.

Still a test for Rangers

Cammy Bell

Former Rangers goalkeeper

It's a mental test for Rangers this second half not to drop their standards

Rangers' defence is outnumbered as Annan amount a counter attack after striker Fashion Sakala loses possession.

Owen Moxon has runners either side but decides to go on his own.

However, the midfielder's low drive flashes wide.

Steven Davis fires a long-range drive wide.

The veteran Northern Ireland midfielder has been controlling the middle of the park for Rangers.

Kenny Miller

Former Rangers striker on Sportsound

The driving rain has eased somewhat, which will be welcomed by the home side.

Rangers had to overcome the elements as well as the home team to secure that commanding lead.

It's been a good start to the second half for Annan. They are looking to play the ball and have had some good individual performances

KICK-OFF

Annan get the second half under way and it is now a damage limitation exercise for the League 2 hosts after Rangers' fine, three-goal first half.

Diamonds narrow Cove's lead

Cove Rangers have had their lead at the top of the third tier reduced to five points after being held at home by 10-man draw specialists Queen's Park.

Airdrieonians consolidated second spot with a 4-1 win over Montrose behind them.

Meanwhile, East Fife move to within six points of Peterhead at the bottom with a fine win away to Alloa, who drop behind Dumbarton into eighth after the Sons also won by 3-1 away to Clyde.

BBC

BBC

Killie and Morton on move after comebacks

Also a reminder of how it finished in the two Championship games.

Kilmarnock came from behind to beat Dunfermline and move to within two points of leaders Arbroath, albeit having played a game more.

Morton also came from behind to beat Queen of the South to move up to sixth place and leave the visitors still four points behind Dunfermline at the bottom.

BBC

How it stands...

Here's a reminder of the earlier scores.

Premiership sides Hearts, via a penalty shoot-out, Motherwell, Dundee United and St Mirren are all through and Rangers are almost certainly joining them.

BBC

HALF-TIME Annan Athletic 0-3 Rangers

Rangers have ended all hopes Annan had of a massive Scottish Cup shock.

Goals from Filip Helander, making his first appearance after five months out through injury, Kemar Roofe and Fashion Sakala have the all-changed visitors heading for the quarter-final draw.

DISALLOWED GOAL

It looks like Aaron Ramsey has his first Rangers goal.

However, the on-loan Juventus midfielder's little back-heel from a low cross into the penalty box is ruled out by the offside flag.

With the wind howling in their faces, the TV cameras struggling to keep the rain off the lenses, welcome to the Scottish Cup Aaron Ramsey.

But so far it's all good for Rangers, although goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin has to kick a blue flare off the field of play.

Helander & Roofe ease Rangers ahead

SNS

Filip Helander scored Rangers' opener on his return to the side after injury

SNS

Kemar Roofe scored Rangers' second goal

Definitely a cross?

Kenny Miller

Former Rangers striker on Sportsound

It's a cross, no question!

GOAL Annan Athletic 0-3 Rangers

What a strike!

Cross or shot? Fashion Sakala won't be complaining as the Zambia forward fires into the far corner from an almost impossible angle, taking goalkeeper Greg Fleming completely by surprise.

Rangers on easy street.

BBC Sport

Annan have a rare bit of pressure as Rangers struggle to clear from a cross into the visiting penalty box.

It fall to Tony Wallace, but the midfielder can't keep his volley down and it flies a couple of feet over the crossbar.

Easy, easy for Rangers

Martin Dowden

BBC Sport Scotland at Galabank

Rangers are in complete control here and that is despite playing straight into fierce wind and rain that may benefit them in the second half.

Despite all the changes to personnel, they look capable of running up a fair old tally against a side who are camped in their own half unable to really threaten.

HITS THE WOODWORK

Should be three for Rangers.

Fashion Sakala meets a low cross into the six-yard box, but the forward somehow scoops on to the top of the crossbar from very close range.