Rangers.................4
Hibernian...............0
NOT ONLY were Rangers never in any danger of suffering an Edinbrugh mugging to follow that of their Old Firm rivals on Tuesday, they looked stonewall winners from the first couple of minutes. Their progress into the semi-final draw of the Coca-Cola Cup was virtually guaranteed when they managed to beat Jim Leighton after 29 minutes, and there was only the question of how comprehensive their victory would end up.
Hibs had hoped to contain the favourites long enough to rile the crowd and allow them to make inroads into the other area themselves but, once that opening strike by Gordon Durie beat the gallant Leighton, Plan A had gone awry.
Plan B never got going, either, because Rangers added a second early in the second half through Peter van Vossen, who had replaced the injured Ally McCoist 10 minutes before the interval, and the same player made it three before Jorg Albertz, with a ferocious free kick, hit the goal of the night in the dying minutes.
Even without the injured Brian Laudrup, Rangers had far too many bright ideas for the capital club whose new ``boy,'' 40-year-old Ray Wilkins, found it all a bit too much on his return to his old haunt.
The Rangers line-up, without Brian Laudrup, had Cleland playing in the position known these days as left wing back, which allowed Albertz to move into a midfield role, the place where eventually he will become a regular.
Despite suffering from flu, Gascoigne, who has been inclined to take his time to get warmed up recently, was off to a good start this time and when he worked a superb 1-2 with McCoist, it was only a despairing interception by Brian Welsh which diverted his shot for a corner.
Hibs did have one glimpse of a chance when Cleland passed into the path of Jackson whose chip was not good enough to beat Goram. Mostly, however, Rangers had the ball at their feet, even if, for a wee while, they found the packed Hibs defence awkward to overcome.
Durie nearly found the answer from some distance when Gough laid the ball back to him, but Leighton touched his well-struck shot over the bar.
McCoist tried a volley from a good Albertz pass but Leighton was again in the right place to save.
The keeper had no chance, however, with the breakthrough goal in 29 minutes. Ironically, it came after a Hibs attack which broke down when Cleland tackled Wilkins and knocked the ball forward to Gascoigne. The Geordie moved on then, as the Hibs defence retreated, slipped it right to Durie who cut inside and hit home a fine shot.
Rangers were forced into a change in 35 minutes when McCoist had to go off limping to be replaced by van Vossen. The only real surprise when the referee called half-time was that Rangers had not added to the scoreline.
McCall nearly made it look more accurate in the first minute of the second half when he turned a Moore pass towards goal, but he was just a little off target. But No.2 arrived from Van Vossen in 47 minutes. And what a brilliant effort it was.
The Dutchman ran 30 yards or more, weaving his way past a posse of defenders, then went round the keeper to shoot home.
Van Vossen almost added a second four mintes later but his header was nodded off the line by Miller. Hibs by now were in danger of being swamped. Welsh illustrated their frustration when he was booked for a foul on van Vossen.
In 67 minutes Rangers took off Craig Moore, who did well in his first start this season, and brought on Ian Ferguson. Soon after, Hibs substituted Kevin McAllister with Harper, and with 14 minutes left Rangers put on Derek McInnes for Gascoigne.
With ten minutes left, van Vossen scored the third goal, alebit at the second attempt. His first shot was blocked and came out to McInnes who miskicked, but when the ball spun back to the Dutchman he smacked it in from close range.
The biggest cheer for a Hibs player came from Rangers fans who were loud in their acclamation of Wilkins when he was replaced by Chris Jackson a minute later. The worst moment of a miserable night for the Edinburgh team had still to come. Three minutes from the end, Gough brought down Chris Jackson - the Rangers man was booked - but Darren Jackson smashed the spot-kick over the bar.
Rangers' best moment also was still to arrive, too, a blistering 30-yard free kick by Albertz which left Leighton with no chance.
RANGERS - Goram, Moore, Albertz, Gough, Petric, Bjorklund, Durie, Gascoigne, McCoist, McCall, Cleland. Substitutes - Van Vossen, McInnes, Ferguson.
HIBERNIAN - Leighton, Miller, Dow, Millen, Dods, Welsh, McAllister, Wilkins, Wright, D Jackson, McGinlay. Substitutes - Harper, Cameron, C Jackson.
Referee - J McCluskey, Stewarton.
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