Philippe Clement began his Rangers tenure with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Hibs at Ibrox.
An early strike from Abdallah Sima sent the home side on their way before Nicolas Raskin scored from long range to double their advantage at the break.
Todd Cantwell made his return from injury in the second period and played a pivotal role in Rangers third and fourth. Sima netted his second of the afternoon and Cyriel Dessers rounded off the perfect start for his new boss.
The Belgian manager was given a rousing reception as the Gers fans made their feeling explicitly clear with a banner before kick off that read simply: ‘EVERYTHING FROM EVERYONE’.
Borna Barisic was forced off early through injury, replaced like for like by Ridvan Yilmaz.
Abdallah Sima gave Rangers the lead in sensational style, blistering away from the Hibs back line before drilling the ball past David Marshall from a tight angle. It was the Senegalese forward’s 6 goal in 6 to give the new manager a dream start after 17 minutes.
The home side then doubled their advantage as Nicolas Raskin unleashed a low drive from 30 yards. The Belgian midfielder made sure his compatriot in the Ibrox dugout went into the break with a comfortable margin.
Todd Cantwell made his return to the Rangers side just before the hour mark, much to the delight of the home crowd.
The midfielder then played a key role in Rangers third of the afternoon. His ball found Cyriel Dessers who rounded the goalkeeper only for his shot to hit a hand in the area, before any decision could be made however the ball had fallen to Abdallah Sima who lashed the ball in for 3-0.
Dessers would get on the scoresheet before the afternoon was out, adding a fourth for Rangers providing a clinical finish from Cantwell’s clever pass.
It is the best start that Philippe Clement could’ve asked for but Hibs will head back to the capital disappointed as Nick Montgomery suffers his first defeat in charge.
