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 aspect 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 objective from centre-back John Souttar earlier than the interval had the factors secure 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 Gentle 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 aspect St Johnstone and within the relegation play-off spot, have conceded 13 targets to the Gentle Blues in three conferences this season and once more had been no match for an energised Gers aspect, with the Highland membership nonetheless on the lookout for 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.
Ianis Hagi celebrates his opening objective at Ibrox
Rangers’ solely winter signing to date, on-loan Lille defender Rafael Fernandes, was on the bench.
As anticipated the house aspect took management of the ball from the beginning and the guests held out solely till the 18th minute.
Nsiala’s raking move from the again discovered Vaclav Cerny huge on the appropriate 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 depart keeper Amissah wrong-footed.
On the different finish minutes later, Akil Wright’s header from a nook compelled an excellent save on his objective line from Gers keeper Jack Butland. Nevertheless, 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 submit the place Souttar lashed the ball excessive into the web from two yards out for his first objective of the season.
Rangers – with 18-year-old midfielder Bailey Rice on for Mohamed Diomande – started the second half in the hunt for extra targets and Rice’s shot from 16 yards from a Hagi cut-back drew a positive 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 form 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 objective from the penalty spot
The Gentle Blues continued to pound the County objective 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 mistaken manner 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 talking to 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 an important half and never freely giving possibilities to the opponents was virtually nothing as we speak. Additionally, giving possibilities to younger guys like Bailey Rice to Rafa [Fernandes], who may 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.”
