AFTER savouring the luxury of their £120million superyacht, Rangers cruised through against Red Imps.
It was plain sailing for Gers in Gibraltar as goals from James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Jermain Defoe and two from Alfredo Morelos sank Lincoln’s hopes of an upset.
Steven Gerrard’s men had checked into the Sunborn – a floating five-star casino hotel – when they arrived in the British overseas territory on Tuesday.
They checked out with a five-star win to set up a showdown against Dutch cracks Willem II in next week’s third qualifying round.
RANGERS: McGregor 7, Tavernier 6 (Morelos 46, 6) Edmundson 7, Goldson 7, Barisic 7, Hagi 6, Kamara 7, Arfield 7, Stewart 6, Itten 5 (Defoe 65, 3), Roofe 4 (Patterson 41, 6)
For the second year running, Gibraltar’s most iconic landmark provided the stunning backdrop as Rangers got their European campaign up and running.
Twelve months ago the Rock was the first stop on a journey that took Gers back to the group stages of the Europa League.
For the second successive year Gerrard’s side upset the odds to navigate their way through six qualifying matches.
This time, a trip to Holland was the prize on offer after Willem II thrashed Progres Niederkorn.
If the surroundings were similar the opponents were different.
Last summer it was St Joseph’s looking to cause an upset, now it was the turn of Lincoln Red Imps.
Four years ago Celtic came here and lost to Lincoln in Brendan Rodgers’s first competitive game in charge – Gerrard wanted no such set-backs.
Cedric Itten was given a start in attack with Allan McGregor making his return between the sticks.
Just four minutes in and he had cause to scream at his defence.
Jack Sergeant was given too much time and space to deliver a cross from the right hand side.
Tav seemed blissfully unaware of the presence of Lee Cascairo who got his head to the ball but couldn’t direct his effort on target.
That early lapse aside, Rangers completely controlled the first half.
Red Imps had everyone banked behind the ball with Gerrard’s side enjoying long spells of possession.
It was an opportunity for Itten, Greg Stewart and Kemar Roofe to shine.
The latter lasted 38 minutes before hobbling off with what looked like an achilles injury.
Before that he’d gone close on 18 minutes after linking well with Itten. The Swiss striker cut the ball back for Roofe whose effort was well saved at the near post.
Red Imps keeper Kyle Goodwin had already reacted smartly to beat away a Borna Barisic free-kick but he was completely helpless to stop Tavenier’s rocket.
With 20 minutes played, Ianis Hagi was fouled on the edge of the box. The Romanian fancied it, as did Barisic.
But skipper Tav pulled rank and placed the ball.
From about 25 yard out, his effort arrowed into the top corner to give him his third goal in as many games.
Roofe was replaced by Nathan Patterson just before Scott Arfield had a shot deflected wide of the post.
But Rangers wouldn’t be denied a second goal with it coming deep into first half stoppage time.
Again, Hagi was fouled with Barisic this time curling a free-kick to the back post.
The Red Imps defence completely switched off allowing Goldson to swoop unmarked.
Gerrard made another change at the break with Morelos replacing Tavernier.
Itten went close twice in the opening minutes of the second half as Rangers picked up from where they’d left off.
Lincoln keeper Goldwin spilled a Hagi free-kick, but made amends by gathering just before Itten could pounce.
Then, with 59 minutes gone, he made a stunning one handed stop to deny Stewart as Rangers pressed for a third.
At the other end, McGregor denied Roy Chipolina after a mix-up in the Gers defence.
It seemed to jolt Gers back into life and with 67 minutes gone, they got their third.
Barisic floated a free-kick to the back post which Edmundson headed back across goal.
Morelos had the easiest of tap-ins.
The game had long since been reduced to a training exercise with Rangers barely getting out of second gear.
Even then Red Imps couldn’t cope.
Defoe – who had been brought on with 25 minutes remaining – got his first goal of the season with 83 minutes played.
Hagi fed the veteran who found the bottom corner from the edge of the box with a typically composed finish.
Red Imps were done, sadly for them Rangers weren’t.
With two minutes remaining Morelos latched onto an Scott Arfield pass before clipping the ball over the advancing Goldwin.
It was another fine finish and it sealed an emphatic victory for Gers.
Gerrard wanted a composed, professional performance and that’s exactly what he got.
