New Rangers manager Clement off the mark with Hibs hammering
Rangers 4 Hibernian 0
Philippe Clement's tenure as Rangers boss got off to a turbo-charged start with a thumping 4-0 cinch Premiership win over Hibernian at Ibrox.
The 49-year-old Belgian was appointed as Michael Beale's successor last Sunday and he was given a huge ovation from the Light Blues fans before the game in which the Gers began in a more energetic and direct fashion.
Attacker Abdallah Sima sped away in the 17th minute to score in a fifth consecutive game before Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin drilled in a second from distance just before the interval.
Sima added a third in the 65th minute to make it nine for the season and striker Cyriel Dessers got a close-range goal 10 minutes from time.
Although it was far from complete performance from Rangers, the Easter Road side's six-game unbeaten run - five under Nick Montgomery - was emphatically ended.
Rangers moved four points behind Celtic who play Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday and while title hopes still need nursing, the Gers fans can take encouragement from the performance and win.
There was much interest in Clement's first team selection but due to injury issues his options were limited.
Winger Scott Wright returned from suspension and midfielder Sam Lammers and Dessers came back in while fit-again Todd Cantwell, Ryan Jack and Danilo started on the bench.
Montgomery drafted in veteran defender Paul Hanlon for his 550th appearance and attacker Adam Le Fondre for what shaped up to be his toughest test so far as Easter Road boss.
There was a new figure in the Rangers technical area but the supporters were still suspicious of the players who had underperformed this season.
From the fans perspective there was an immediate and much-desired increase in tempo
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