Fantastic four: Davis slots past Mark Brown to seal a Rangers win Pic: © SNSpics
Rangers moved to within a point of Celtic at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a convincing 4-0 win against Hibernian - without the help of top goalscorer Nikica Jelavic.
The on-form Croatian missed the clash at Ibrox through illness but skipper Steven Davis claimed a double and David Healy and Sone Aluko grabbed a goal apiece against ten-man Hibs.
Ahead of the tie, Rangers boss Ally McCoist challenged his side to have no more "slip ups" in the title race, having fallen four points behind the nearest rivals.
Winger Gregg Wylde was drafted into the starting line up in place of Jelavic while new signing Mervan Celik was named on the bench.
Hibs were without suspended duo Leigh Griffiths and Garry O'Connor, while loanees James McPake and Tom Soares made their debuts from the start.
Rangers had an early chance to take the lead when Carlos Bocanegra saw his header blocked and the ball fell for Aluko who cannoned his shot off McPake.
At the other end, Soares threaded into the path of Eoin Doyle but Kyle Bartley came to the rescue with a timely tackle before the Hibs forward could shoot.
As the home side settled into the game, Rangers looked more likely to find the back of the net and Maurice Edu went close when he collected a cut-back from Aluko and sent a powerful strike fizzing just past the post.
After 27 minutes, Hibs eventually gave way to the Rangers pressure when Davis raced onto an Aluko ball and rifled past the grasp of goalkeeper Mark Brown.
Rangers could have doubled their lead moments later when Edu had another go from distance before Wylde sent a free-kick just over the crossbar shortly before half-time.
Hibs emerged for the second half determined to haul themselves back into the game and Ivan Sproule soon burst down the left flank before squaring for David Wotherspoon. But the midfielder was unable to connect in front of goal and the chance was lost.
Hibs failure to trouble Rangers keeper Alan McGregor soon came back to haunt them when Rangers doubled their advantage after 55 minutes.
Healy pounced on a long ball from Sasa Papac and took advantage of a mix-up in the Hibs defence to stroke home from the edge of the box with goalkeeper Brown off his line.
Rangers could have had a penalty when McPake appeared to handle the ball in the area but referee Charlie Richmond waved play on.
With 64 minutes gone, Rangers threw Celik into the action to make his debut.
However, another debutant had a day to forget as when McPake was shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Edu after 71 minutes. The American midfielder was then withdrawn for Lee McCulloch.
The match took a further turn for the worse for the Edinburgh club when Rangers netted their third of the day from the resulting free-kick a minute later.
Aluko had been instrumental in much of the game and was rewarded with a goal of his own when he sent a curling effort into the top corner, leaving Brown with no chance.
Davis then put the gloss on the win deep into injury time when he drove home from 10 yards to claim a double.
A convincing display from Rangers leaves them just one point off league leaders Celtic who are in league cup action tomorrow against Falkirk
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