Morton 0-2 Rangers: Andy Halliday sees red as Gers extend lead

Rangers extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Championship to five points with a 2-0 victory at Morton, although Andy Halliday's red card was the main talking point after the game.

Goals from Kenny Miller and Barrie McKay secured the three points for Mark Warburton's side but Halliday was sent off after celebrating McKay's strike 20 minutes from time.

The midfielder raised a defiant arm in the direction of the home fans and referee Barry Cook, on the advice of linesman David McKniff, viewed his fist-pump as an offensive gesture and showed him a second yellow.

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The Light Blues started brightly and had the first chance of the game when Miller sent a header back across goal only for the ball to slip just past the far post.

Morton also showed some neat touches in the early exchanges, though, with Joe McKee almost catching out Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham with a cheeky quickly-taken free-kick.

The visitors continued to press and made the breakthrough in the 26th minute courtesy of a poacher's goal from Miller, who made the most of Morton's inability to clear the ball after Halliday's shot was blocked to drill home from eight yards.

Home striker Declan McManus caused problems for the Rangers backline throughout the game and went close five minutes after the restart with a low shot that flew just past the post.

But Warburton's side continued to press and twice went close to doubling the lead.

Miller's effort from the edge of area went just wide of the mark, before McKay smashed a shot against the crossbar in a subsequent attack.

That proved to be the prelude to Rangers' second goal following the best move of the game.

McKay and Miller exchanged passes in a neat one-two with former Morton player McKay coolly whipping the ball past Gaston and into the net.

Halliday had earlier been cautioned for holding back an opponent and he received his second yellow card - ruling him out of Saturday's game against Falkirk - for his actions in celebrating McKay's goal.

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Gers almost added a third goal only for Gaston to deny Harry Forrester as he saved superbly with his legs to keep out the substitute's shot after he found himself one-on-one with the 'keeper.