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Rangers 4-0 Hibernian: Steven Davis grabs brace to sink 10-man visitors and close gap on Celtic at SPL summit
David Healy and Sone Aluko are also on the scoresheet for the champions as Ally McCoist's men return to winning ways at Ibrox
28 Jan 2012 16:50:00
By Nathan Lowe
Rangers moved to within a point of league leaders Celtic after defeating Hibernian 4-0 at home on Saturday.
Ally McCoist's men entered the match on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Aberdeen last weekend but the visiting Hibs could not produce a similar result.
Nikica Jelavic was ill for the match amidst speculation surrounding his future at the Ibrox while the visitors were without suspended strikers Leigh Griffiths and Garry O'Connor.
The hosts began in the ascendency and didn't look back although it took fully 25 minutes before the Blues inevitably broke the deadlock, countering a Hibs chance through Sone Aluko and onto Steven Davis to finish cleanly into the bottom corner.
Despite their dominance the hosts had to be content with a 1-0 lead at the break although it did not take them long to double their advantage after half-time.
David Healy took advantage of woeful defending across Hibs' back four to ultimately dribble around the keeper and slot home for his side's second on 55 minutes.
Matters then went from bad to worse for the visitors when debutant skipper James McPake was sent off for a second yellow on 70 minutes.
The excellent Aluko then compounded Hibs' misery by curling in a wicked free-kick from outside the area into Mark Brown's top corner a minute later to give the home side a three goal advantage and all but seal the points.
With 10 men and a comfortable lead the final 10 minutes were merely a formality for Rangers, but even so they managed one more goal with the last kick of the game.
Davis employed a brilliant first touch to cushion a lofted pass and his neat finish sealed his brace and a comfortable win for the champions.
Ally McCoist's men entered the match on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Aberdeen last weekend but the visiting Hibs could not produce a similar result.
| Bet: | Returns: | Rangers £15.00 | Draw £35.00 | Motherwell £60.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Rangers £15.71 | Draw £35.00 | Motherwell £70.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Rangers £14.00 | Draw £43.30 | Motherwell £85.00 |
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Nikica Jelavic was ill for the match amidst speculation surrounding his future at the Ibrox while the visitors were without suspended strikers Leigh Griffiths and Garry O'Connor.
The hosts began in the ascendency and didn't look back although it took fully 25 minutes before the Blues inevitably broke the deadlock, countering a Hibs chance through Sone Aluko and onto Steven Davis to finish cleanly into the bottom corner.
Despite their dominance the hosts had to be content with a 1-0 lead at the break although it did not take them long to double their advantage after half-time.
David Healy took advantage of woeful defending across Hibs' back four to ultimately dribble around the keeper and slot home for his side's second on 55 minutes.
Matters then went from bad to worse for the visitors when debutant skipper James McPake was sent off for a second yellow on 70 minutes.
The excellent Aluko then compounded Hibs' misery by curling in a wicked free-kick from outside the area into Mark Brown's top corner a minute later to give the home side a three goal advantage and all but seal the points.
With 10 men and a comfortable lead the final 10 minutes were merely a formality for Rangers, but even so they managed one more goal with the last kick of the game.
Davis employed a brilliant first touch to cushion a lofted pass and his neat finish sealed his brace and a comfortable win for the champions.
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