Rangers 4-0 Ross County: Hagi is the chief conductor as Clement's men orchestrate another fine score

Philippe Clement ended a hugely satisfying week on a high note as Rangers’ resurgence continued with a routine dismantling of Ross County. Having finally solved the issue of their woeful away league form with victory at Dundee United the previous Sunday, and then secured an impressive top-eight finish in the Europa League, Clement’s side swatted relegation-threatened County aside with ease. Ianis Hagi was the orchestrator of a dominant display. A double from the Romanian playmaker, followed by John Souttar’s first goal of the season, saw Rangers put the outcome beyond doubt before half-time.

They had to wait until the closing stages for captain James Tavernier to apply extra gloss to the scoreline when he scored from the penalty spot. In truth, the margin of victory should have been far greater. Rangers were wasteful in front of goal at times and their lack of ruthlessness in the second half was a minor irritation for Clement. Given where he and his team have come from, however, the Belgian deserves credit for handling the scrutiny and pressure he was under.

Ianis Hagi takes the acclaim after scoring the first of his two goals in Rangers' 4-0 win at Ibrox. John Souttar celebrates his first start since returning from injury by netting Rangers' third. Skipper James Tavernier completes the scoring with a penalty 11 minutes from the end. They remain 10 points behind Celtic in the title race, having played a game more than the champions, but the mood in the stands at Ibrox has improved since the turn of the year when it was often poisonous.

Clement made three changes to the side who secured direct qualification to the last 16 of the Europa League with victory over Union Saint-Gilloise last Thursday night. There was a welcome return to the starting line-up for Scotland defender Souttar, who made his comeback from injury as a substitute last midweek. He was partnered in the back four by Clinton Nsiala. The Frenchman had been ineligible for European duty, as was Hagi who was restored in midfield. Robin Propper, Leon King and Nedim Bajrami dropped out.

County arrived in Govan in decent form, after losing just one of their previous six league games. Don Cowie made three alterations to the side who drew at home to Hibs the previous weekend, with Kacper Lopata, Nohan Kenneh and Kieran Phillips replacing James Brown, Zac Ashworth and Jordan White. In a tepid opening quarter of an hour, County contained Rangers relatively comfortably, with midweek scorer Nicolas Raskin providing the only hint of a threat when his header from a Hagi corner was blocked.

The visitors might even have grabbed the lead themselves in the 14th minute. Lopata was inches away from connecting with Noah Chilvers’ dangerous free-kick which flashed across the six-yard box. Rangers gradually began to impose their authority and made the breakthrough four minutes later with their first attacking move of real fluency. Nsiala’s perfectly weighted crossfield pass found Vaclav Cerny on the right. The Czech winger cut inside Elijah Campbell before unleashing a shot which County keeper Jordan Amissah found too hot to handle. Hagi was quickest to react as he pounced on the loose ball and tucked it home from close range.

Rangers suddenly looked very much in the mood. Cerny tormented Campbell again with some clever footwork and cut the ball back to Hamza Igamane who scooped a shot over from the edge of the box. A second goal for Clement’s side was only delayed until the 25th minute — and it came with a huge slice of good fortune. Lopata wrestled Cyriel Dessers to the turf just outside the penalty area. Hagi’s free-kick was on target but may have been comfortably saved by Amissah had it not taken a huge deflection off Jonathan Tomkinson which sent the ball spinning into the opposite side of the net.

Jack Butland had to make a smart save to keep out Akil Wright’s diving header from a Chilvers corner as County tried to respond. Rangers, though, sensed the opportunity to seize firm control of the contest and duly made it 3-0 in the 35th minute. Hagi was involved once more, this time with a corner from the left, headed on by Raskin. With County’s defence static, the ball dropped to Souttar at the back post and he smashed it high into the net.

County were on the rack and it might have got even worse for them before the break had Dessers connected properly with Hagi’s cutback. The striker’s scuffed effort was saved by Amissah low to his left. Clement introduced Bailey Rice at the start of the second half. The highly-rated 18-year-old, who replaced Mohamed Diomande in midfield, quickly made his presence felt as he stung Amissah’s palms with a fierce shot.