Tavernier scores on 400th appearance as Rangers beat Hibs at Easter Road

Rangers captain James Tavernier led the way at Easter Road as he celebrated his 400th appearance for the club with a trademark free-kick.

The first-half strike in the capital, followed by a Ianis Hagi strike in the second and a late third from Todd Cantwell, helped secure all three-points for the visitors in a comfortable 3-1 win.

The goal was Tavernier’s 101st since signing for Rangers in 2015 and his 14th direct free-kick for the Ibrox side.

Michael Beale revealed ahead of the game that Connor Goldson had suffered a new injury setback that will keep him on the side-lines until early next season.

Leon King came back into the starting line-up and played at the back alongside John Souttar with 25-year-old goalkeeper Robby McCrorie keeping his place between the sticks after four clean-sheets from his first four first-team matches.

And he very nearly made it five out of five at Easter Road, but an injury time consolation from Paul Hanlon ruined his flawless record.

Hagi was also brought back into the start as he completed his long journey back from horrendous injury set-backs that have plagued him for the majority of the last two years.

Rangers had the better of the opening exchanges with Souttar coming close with a header from a second minute corner before Sakala forced Marshall into a save and Tavernier had a shot over the bar.

Hibs started to grow into the game, looking dangerous on the counter-attack, and Kevin Nisbet had their first good chance when he headed wide after a Youan cross.

But it was the skipper who grabbed the opener when he fired in a free-kick from an almost impossible angle to mark his landmark game.

The second-half was around 15 minutes old when Hagi doubled the lead and there was an emotional celebration from Romanian as he staked a claim for next season after his injury hell his campaign.

Cantwell put the icing on the cake with five minutes left on the clock to make it 3-0 and secure all three points with his fifth goal in eight games.

Rangers play Hearts at Ibrox midweek as Hibs host Celtic in Edinburgh.