Last update on. From the section Scottish League Cup
Livingston was defeated by Rangers after the break, ensuring that they reached the Scottish League Cup semi finals.
Ianis Hagi, a half-time substitute made an immediate impression and set up Kemar Roofe’s close-range opener.
Livingston was spared by Max Stryjek's saves. However, his outstanding performance was overshadowed when he passed the ball to Alfredo Morelos who won the game.
Rangers will find out their last four opponents in Thursday's draw.
Manager Steven Gerrard stressed the importance of this tie, and was rewarded by a dominating home performance.
Rangers ended their 10-year-old silverware drought with last season's league title. However, they haven’t won either the domestic or European cup since 2011, which Gerrard is determined to change in his fourth year as the Rangers manager.
In the wake of Motherwell's weekend draw, which ended his 21-game winning streak in Ibrox, he made six changes to the squad.
Livingston, League Cup runners up to St Johnstone in last season's competition, had a plan to win successive Old Firm matches after beating Celtic 1-0. After frustrating the hosts with their obdurate defense, they made it to halftime unharmed.
Nicky Devlin executed a brilliant sliding intervention to remove a Morelos attempt off the line. Nathan Patterson pulled a fine block from Stryjek and Calvin Bassey, full-back, blazed over after latching onto a Connor Goldson diagonal.
Scott Wright was cleared by another Goldson pass, but the forward lost control. Wright was having one those nights and didn't make it back after the break. Hagi took his place.
The Romanian was the catalyst that brought Rangers victory. His first contribution was clear, darting down to the right-hand channel and squaring Roofe to complete a simple finish.
Livingston's strength crumbled, and they continued to invite trouble for their careless defense passing.
Leon Balogun looked a little too far from a Hagi delivery, and Morelos had a drive tipped over by Stryjek following Stephane Omeonga's gift possession.
Roofe was denied twice by Stryjek who had overworked Livingston and only buried their fading hopes with an egregious error.
The Polish goalkeeper attempted to pick Jack Fitzwater's risky pass, but Morelos intercepted it 10 yards away and punished him with a thudding finish in the unguarded net.
Rangers advanced to the semi-finals after Stryjek recovered his composure and pulled off another great save by grabbing a Goldson header.
Max Stryjek is the Man of Match
Rangers' second goal was a bad decision, but Livingston's keeper made a series of outstanding saves
What have we learned?
Livingston was never capable of winning a second Old Firm victory in five days, despite their efforts against Celtic.
They didn't put a glove on Rangers who could have scored more, but did the job with minimal fuss.
Rangers' teenager full-back Patterson was impressive in a rare start. Roofe's and Morelos' goals will boost confidence as Gerrard's try to find their best form.
What were they saying?
Premier Sports spoke with Gary McAllister, Rangers assistant: "First half, we huffed & puffed and did make a few chances but were a little bit wasteful in third."
"We were lacking a little quality, and I thought Ianis brought it. He has been in a difficult time with Covid recently, and he was in quarantine for 10 days. He returned to work only two or three days ago. He was sharp and gave us the extra quality we were looking for."
Premier Sports spoke with David Martindale, Livingston manager: "We were able to frustrate Rangers in the first half due to our low block but were eventually overtaken by schoolboy defense.
"That's cup football. You will be punished if you make these kinds of mistakes."
What's next?
Both sides will be in Premiership action Saturday (15:00 BST), Rangers away at Dundee and Livingston being the visitors at Hearts.
