PRESSURE? What pressure?

Neil Lennon had expressed the view that Celtic’s win over Tynecastle on Wednesday night, a result which increased their lead at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership to five points, would make life more difficult for their nearest challengers.

But if Rangers were feeling the heat after seeing their city rivals pull further away from them in the league table in midweek it didn’t show against Hibernian at Easter Road last night.

Steven Gerrard’s men took the lead in just the fourth minute, albeit after being gifted the opening goal by their hosts, were two ahead after eight minutes and ran out comfortable 3-0 victors to move back to within two points of first place.

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It was quite a way to end a winless run in Leith that stretched back two years and once again underlined that there is far more about this Rangers side this term than last. They were without their first choice centre back (Filip Helander), midfielder (Steven Davis) and striker (Alfredo Morelos) and still won with ease.

Hibs, who have been much improved since Jack Ross replaced Paul Heckingbottom as manager last month, were dire defensively and struggled to recover from their disastrous start. This defeat, their first under Ross at home, highlighted that much work remains to be done.

There were bottles thrown at the Rangers players by Hibs fans after Jermain Defoe had put them three in front with a sublime strike early in the second-half. The measures which the Edinburgh club took after similar incidents last season have clearly not deterred the troublemakers. More action is clearly required.

Tempers also flared on the touchline after Hibs centre half Ryan Porteous had scythed down Rangers left back Borna Barisic – a foul which referee Nick Walsh rightly showed him a straight red card for – and Hibs assistant John Potter and Rangers coach Tom Culshaw were also sent to the stands after squaring up to each other.

Joe Aribo didn’t take long to show that Morelos wouldn’t be missed. He charged down a lazy clearance by Hibs keeper Ofir Marciano in the fourth minute and the ball spun out to Ryan Kent on the edge of the penalty box. The winger couldn’t believe his luck. He calmly stroked a shot into an inviting empty net.

The ease with which Aribo doubled the visitors lead shortly after that will have infuriated Ross greatly. Neither provider Ryan Jack or scorer Aribo were closed down anywhere near quickly enough. That said, the finish by the latter, who placed his attempt in the top left corner, was of the highest quality.

The former Charlton player has been enjoying a fine spell after being given more of a licence to roam by his manager and he continued where he had left off against Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday. He was only denied a second goal of the night after being supplied by Kent in the 23rd minute by Marciano’s outstretched leg.

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Hibs were by no means toothless. Florian Kamberi jinked into the Rangers six yard box and struck the side netting and both Scott Allan and Martin Boyle went close with a long-range attempts in the first-half. But Allan McGregor wasn’t seriously tested.

The Ibrox club could have been further in front when Walsh blew the whistle for half-time. Marciano did well to hold a James Tavernier header in the 39th minute after his fellow full-back Barisic had whipped an inswinging cross to him from wide on the left flank.

Steve Clarke, the Scotland manager, was an interested onlooker in the stands. The performance of Jack, who started in the wins over Cyprus and Kazakhstan last month, in the middle of the park will doubtless have pleased him. The midfielder will retain his place in the national team for the Euro 2020 play-off games in March if he continues to play like this.

Ross didn’t mess about during the break. He put on Vykintas Slivka for Stevie Mallan and Daryl Horgan for Kamberi. But the changes made little difference. His side conceded again eight minutes after play resumed. Defoe chested down a looping delivery, stepped inside Jason Naismith and rifled beyond Marciano.

A bottle was thrown at the former England internationalist and as Barisic went to throw it off the playing surface two more came flying towards him.

Porteous went lunging in wildly on the Croatian on the hour mark and could have no complaints about his punishment. The young defender is one of the promising players in Scotland and has a bright future in the game ahead of him. But he needs to control his temper in order to realise his full potential. Last night was by no means out of character.

Ross put on Darren McGregor for Scott Allan while Gerrard withdrew Aribo and Jack and gave Sheyi Ojo and Greg Stewart some game time in the closing stages of a one-sided game.