Bojan Miovski scored a sensational hat-trick as a much-changed Rangers side cruised to a dominant 5-0 victory over Annan Athletic in the Scottish Cup at Ibrox, securing safe passage into the fifth round and showcasing impressive squad depth.
Despite making nine changes to the starting line-up, Rangers were rarely troubled as they combined clinical finishing with fluid attacking play to overwhelm their League Two opponents. The emphatic win also gave supporters an early look at several January signings, underlining the club’s intent for the second half of the season.
Miovski Leads the Way With Ruthless Finishing
Rangers opened the scoring when Miovski showed composure and pace to burst past debutant goalkeeper Charlie Albinson before calmly finishing after a perfectly weighted pass from Danilo.
The striker doubled his tally soon after, rising highest to head home following an excellent move involving Kieran Dowell and teenage winger Findlay Curtis, two of the players given a rare starting opportunity on the night.
Miovski completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Rabbi Matondo was brought down in the box, confidently dispatching the spot-kick to cap a clinical individual performance.
Dowell and Curtis Shine in Rotated Line-Up
Joe Rothwell added to Rangers’ advantage with a clever chipped pass that allowed Dowell to nod home his first goal of the season, a timely contribution amid speculation surrounding his future.
Curtis, just 19 years old, was one of the standout performers. Operating on the right flank, he provided an assist, struck the crossbar, and twice came close to scoring himself. His direct running and attacking intent made a compelling case for more regular involvement at senior level.
Aasgaard Free-Kick Caps Dominant Display
Substitute Thelo Aasgaard put the gloss on the result with a stunning free-kick from around 30 yards. His powerful strike sailed beyond Albinson and into the net, drawing loud approval from the home crowd and underlining the quality available off the bench.
Rangers could have scored more, with Danilo curling narrowly wide after excellent work from Jayden Meghoma and Miovski denied a fourth goal by a fine save earlier in the match.
Annan Show Early Promise but Are Overpowered
To their credit, Annan Athletic started brightly and briefly tested Rangers’ resolve. Tommy Muir came close to catching stand-in captain Liam Kelly off guard with an ambitious dipping volley that flew just over the bar.
However, once Rangers found their rhythm, the gulf in quality became increasingly evident. Despite creating a few promising moments, Annan were ultimately unable to cope with the speed, movement, and technical ability of their hosts.
Scott Hooper nearly pulled a goal back with a fierce effort that flashed into the side netting, but it proved to be a rare moment of threat in an otherwise one-sided contest.
New Signings and Youth Debuts Highlight Squad Depth
The match also served as an introduction to Rangers’ January arrivals, with Tochi Chukwuani, Tuur Rommens, and Andreas Skov Olsen presented to supporters before kick-off.
Chukwuani later made his debut from the bench, while 17-year-old academy attacker Zebedee Lawson was handed his first senior appearance, reinforcing the club’s commitment to integrating youth alongside new recruits.
Competition for places appears set to intensify, particularly in wide and defensive areas, as the squad continues to evolve under head coach Danny Rohl.
Rohl Pleased With Rotation and Performance
Rohl expressed satisfaction with both the result and the opportunity to rotate his squad, acknowledging a slightly disjointed opening before praising the team’s improvement as the match progressed.
He highlighted the importance of giving minutes to fringe players, applauded Miovski’s finishing, and described Aasgaard’s free-kick as a fitting end to an accomplished team display.
Curtis Stakes His Claim Amid Transfer Interest
Beyond Miovski’s goals, Curtis’ performance stood out as a key takeaway. With interest reportedly growing from elsewhere and increased competition following recent signings, the young winger demonstrated maturity, confidence, and attacking threat that could make him difficult to overlook in upcoming fixtures.
As Rangers progress in the Scottish Cup and balance domestic ambitions with squad management, performances like this will give the coaching staff plenty to consider.
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