Ianis Hagi grabbed a double as Rangers rounded off a profitable week with a 4-0 rout of Ross County at Ibrox.
Philippe Clement’s facet certified straight into the final 16 of the Europa League on Thursday evening with a 2-1 win over Union Saint-Gilloise in Govan and confidence overflowed into the Scottish Premiership.
Two strikes from midfielder Hagi – not within the European squad – and a poacher’s purpose from centre-back John Souttar earlier than the interval had the factors protected early.
Skipper James Tavernier transformed Rangers’ first league penalty of the season within the 76th minute however regardless of the convincing win, there have been no inroads made within the title race.
The Mild Blues are nonetheless 10 factors behind leaders Celtic, who beat Motherwell 3-1 at Fir Park and whose recreation in hand towards Dundee will happen subsequent Wednesday.
Don Cowie’s males, who stay 5 factors forward of backside facet St Johnstone and within the relegation play-off spot, have conceded 13 targets to the Mild Blues in three conferences this season and once more had been no match for an energised Gers facet, with the Highland membership nonetheless in search of their first win at Ibrox.
As normal after European video games, Clement had extra choices. Defender Clinton Nsiala, one other participant not within the European squad, returned as did Souttar, who got here off the bench towards USG after a spell out injured.
Rangers’ solely winter signing to this point, on-loan Lille defender Rafael Fernandes, was on the bench.
As anticipated the house facet took management of the ball from the beginning and the guests held out solely till the 18th minute.
Nsiala’s raking cross from the again discovered Vaclav Cerny vast on the suitable and he turned inside on to his left foot and fired in a drive from the sting of the field which was spilled by keeper Jordan Amissah proper to Hagi, who neatly tucked the ball away.
Hagi’s second got here within the twenty sixth minute got here when he curled a free-kick from 25 yards earlier than it took a marked deflection off Staggies defender Jonathan Tomkinson to go away keeper Amissah wrong-footed.
On the different finish minutes later, Akil Wright’s header from a nook compelled a great save on his purpose line from Gers keeper Jack Butland. Nonetheless, Rangers had been quickly again in management.
Rangers’ John Souttar scores to make it 3-0 towards Ross County
Hagi turned supplier 10 minutes earlier than the interval when his nook was headed on by Nicolas Raskin to the again publish the place Souttar lashed the ball excessive into the web from two yards out for his first purpose of the season.
Rangers – with 18-year-old midfielder Bailey Rice on for Mohamed Diomande – started the second half in quest of extra targets and Rice’s shot from 16 yards from a Hagi cut-back drew a high-quality save from Amissah.
County had introduced on right-back James Brown and midfielder Scott Allardice for Nohan Kenneh and Josh Nisbet however they confirmed no indicators of getting any type of foothold within the recreation.
Souttar had the ball within the internet from shut vary once more within the 51st minute however the offside flag was up towards team-mate Cyriel Dessers.
James Tavernier added the fourth purpose from the penalty spot
The Mild Blues continued to pound the County purpose with pictures, though Brown dipped an effort from distance simply over Butland’s bar.
Referee Steven McLean pointed to the spot following Lopata’s problem on Dessers at a nook and Tavernier despatched Amissah the unsuitable approach with a well-taken penalty.
Fernandes then took over from Nsiala to make his debut, finishing a optimistic day for the Ibrox membership.
Clement ‘hopeful’ of extra signings
Rangers supervisor Philippe Clement is “hopeful” of including new signings
Rangers supervisor Philippe Clement chatting with Sky Sports activities Information:
“The four goals are important, although we wanted more and we had also more opportunities and good attacks and, for sure, the clean sheet [is pleasing] also.
“It stays a vital half and never making a gift of possibilities to the opponents was virtually nothing right now. Additionally, giving possibilities to younger guys like Bailey Rice to Rafa [Fernandes], who might play his first minutes.
“Those are important things for the future of the club.”
Requested if he’ll usher in signings earlier than Monday’s switch deadline, Clement added: “I don’t know, that’s not a question for me, that’s a question for Patrick [Stewart] and the board, what’s possible or not. I remain hopeful, yes.”
