Highlights - Rangers 6-0 Motherwell

Nikica Jelavic scored a hat-trick and David Healy netted on his debut as Rangers hammered Scottish Premier League rivals Motherwell.

Steven Naismith put the hosts ahead on five mintues and Jelavic fired home twice before the interval.

Shaun Hutchinson's own goal extended Rangers' advantage and Jelavic got his treble with a 79th-minute strike.

And substitute Healy completed the scoring late on as Rangers moved closer to SPL leaders Celtic.

The Ibrox side, who have a game in hand, are now two points behind Celtic, who are due to face Dundee United on Sunday ahead of next Sunday's Old Firm league derby.

El Hadji Diouf had an excellent chance to open his Rangers account when he was put through on goal by Vladimir Weiss's pass, but the on-loan Blackburn player poked his shot wide.

But Rangers soon moved ahead and Weiss was once again the architect of the attack.

The winger played a one-two with Jelavic and crossed for Naismith to convert from close range.

Jelavic's shot trickled wide as Rangers kept up the early pressure and Weiss's appeal for a penalty fell on deaf ears after he went down in the box under the challenge of Steve Jones.

Motherwell gradually came into the game and Tom Hateley's free-kick found Jones, who fired into the side netting.

And then, from open play, a neat series of passes led to Gavin Gunning crossing for John Sutton to flash a header over.

However, just as the visitors were enjoying their best spell, the hosts dealt them a sucker blow.

Kyle Bartley, making his first appearance since joining on loan from Arsenal, retained possession well and released Steven Whittaker in space and the full-back squared for Jelavic to find the net.

Within three minutes, the Croatian striker had grabbed his second of the day, flicking the ball home after being found unmarked by Weiss's free-kick delivery.

One sour note for Rangers in the first half was the withdrawal of Naismith, the forward taken off with a knock to be replaced with John Fleck.

There was still time before the break for Fleck to set up Jelavic for a hat-trick chance, but the striker elected to shoot instead of heading the cross and could not find the target.

It was Jelavic who set up Fleck at the start of the second half, the substitute heading over.

Motherwell sub Ross Forbes produced a fierce drive that required Allan McGregor to tip over on 56 minutes.

Fleck forced a save from Darren Randolph with a shot before Healy made his Rangers debut as a replacement for Diouf.

Steven Davis's audacious back-heel attempt was deflected wide of the Motherwell goal as Rangers pressed for more goals.

Their pressure paid off when Fleck's cross towards Jelavic was diverted past Randolph by Hutchinson.

Having missed out on his treble in that attack, Jelavic was more successful when he latched on to Sasa Papac's knock down and squirmed a shot under the body of Randolph.

Healy completed the scoring with his first Rangers goal, converting Madjid Bougherra's cross.

Motherwell pushed for a late consolation, but new signing Francis Jeffers was unsuccessful in claiming for a penalty and Forbes was denied again by McGregor near the end.

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