Hibs run down by rampant Rangers

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The smart money will now be on Rangers. Today's semi-final draw for the Coca-Cola Cup brackets the Ibrox club with Hearts, Dunfermline and Dundee, and the way they performed in coasting past an admittedly poor Hibs side will brook little argument that they are red-hot favourites to lift the trophy.

The evening became an embarrassment for Hibs as Rangers dominated totally, the visitors seemingly paralysed by their memories of a 7-0 defeat on their last visit. Yet had it not been for several good saves from Jim Leighton that total might have been reached again.

The driving force behind this victory was Peter van Vossen, a first-half substitute for Ally McCoist. The Dutchman ripped the heart out of the Hibs defence two minutes after the interval, leaving a debris of defenders in his wake before angling the ball past Leighton for a goal his more celebrated team-mate, Paul Gascoigne, could hardly have bettered.

Gordon Durie had rifled Rangers ahead in the 28th minute from Gascoigne's pass, the opening goal being just reward for their domination at that stage.

The introduction of Van Vossen took Rangers on to another plane. The winger saw a goal-bound header cleared off the line by Willie Miller in the 52nd minute and six minutes later he shot carelessly against the legs of Leighton when he should have scored. Eleven minutes from time he did succeed in putting the ball in the net when he swept home from close range for Rangers' third.

The dismayed Hibs supporters had time only to shout for the dismissal of their manager before heading for the exits after watching Darren Jackson blast an 87th-minute penalty over the bar, and a comfortable night for Rangers was sealed a minute later when Jorg Albertz completed the scoring with the most powerful free-kick Ibrox has witnessed for many years.

Rangers (3-5-2): Goram; Petric, Gough, Bjorklund; Moore (Ferguson, 66), McCall, Gascoigne (McInnes, 76), Albertz, Cleland; Durie, McCoist (Van Vossen, 35).

Hibernian (4-4-2): Leighton; Miller, Dods, Welsh, Dow; McAllister (Harper, 71), Wilkins (C Jackson, 79), Millen, McGinlay; Wright, D Jackson. Substitute not used: Cameron.

Referee: J McCluskey (Stewarton).