Before Wednesday night’s Scottish Cup fifth round replay against Kilmarnock, Daniel Candeias’s assists tally did not make for good reading.
Despite being a regular on the right wing, he had registered just two in domestic competitions, all season.
That is made to look even more disappointing, when you consider that the man who normally plays behind him, James Tavernier, has nine in the SPL alone.
However, all that was about to change.
The Portuguese put on a masterclass in wide play at Ibrox.
Influential from the first to the last, he struck up a great partnership with Alfredo Morelos.
Released in behind after just seven minutes, it was he who rolled the ball across the goal mouth for the Colombian to tap home the opener.
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On the stroke of half-time, the pair combined again.
This was the most impressive assist of the lot. Seemingly running out of room at the byline, Candeias whipped in a sumptuous cross that screamed ‘head me.’
El Buffalo obliged.
Then in the second period, after winning the ball back in midfield, a quality through ball allowed Morelos to grab his third.
A hat-trick for the striker and a hat-trick of assists for the 30-year-old winger.
Undoubtedly, one of his most productive displays in a Rangers shirt.
With Candeias, you are always guaranteed work rate.
On Wednesday night, he brought the end product too.
