3 talking points as Rangers storm to resounding win with Fashion Sakala asserting Liverpool start credentials

Rangers may have been outclassed at Anfield but they were too strong for St Mirren as Antonio Colak continued his red-hot start with another deadly double.

The Croatian striker was back in Gio van Bronckhorst ’s team after being stood down from action in their Champions League defeat to Liverpool. And he ensured the Light Blues had no hangover from their Merseyside mauling with an early opener.

James Tavernier stroked home a penalty 30 minutes in to give the hosts breathing room at Ibrox and there was no way back for Stephen Robinson’s Saints when Colak notched his 13 goals in just 16 appearances for the Govan outfit with 17 minutes left. There was more pain in store for the visitors, however, as Fashion Sakala marked just his third start of the season with a goal in stoppage time.

There wasn’t much to take heart from on Tuesday as Rangers were lamped by Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. But if van Bronckhorst really pushed himself, he may have seen some positives in the displays Rabbi Matondo and Sakala produced off the bench.

Both had chances to add a shine to the 2-0 Anfield defeat late on and were rewarded for those Kop cameos with a place in the Dutchman’s line-up as he made five changes to the team outclassed in their Battle of Britain showdown.

Robinson also made a couple of alterations to the Saints side that beat Livingston last weekend as Curtis Main and Alex Grieve came in for Greg Kiltie and the suspended Jonah Ayunga. It’s been a good spell to be a Buddies of late, with the Paisley side on a run of five wins in their last six games.

But hopes of the visitors experiencing the joy of six lasted all of four minutes as Colak gobbled up yet another chance. The Croatian didn’t know much about it as a low stinger