Michael Beale sees ruthless Rangers at peace amid brewing civil war at home – big match verdict

They arrived braced for chaos and mayhem but by the time Rangers strutted out of the crazed Leith cauldron, this was a team that finally looked at peace with themselves.

With a brewing civil war at home, a date with Lee Johnson’s men was perhaps the last thing Michael Beale’s side needed. But as it turns out, seldom has a trip to Easter Road been so sedate for an Ibrox line-up. "Time for change” was the message from the disgruntled punters last Saturday as they turned their ire on the board following their Viaplay Cup Final failure.

Well, this was certainly a different look for Beale’s team as the manager marked 100 days in the job. Slick, assured and, eventually, ruthless, it was easily the best showing of the Londoner’s reign, surpassing the dominant display versus Hearts on their last visit to the capital. It was a night that promised high emotion as the home faithful were given their chance to pay tribute to Ron Gordon.

The travelling support let their side down with another disgraceful rendition of their illicit songbook. But on the pitch Rangers had an answer to everything Hibs asked of them as they shook off the shock of trailing to an early Connor Goldson own goal. James Tavernier’s latest penalty drew the Light Blues level before Antonio Colak – the man who had warned of the expected bedlam – proved he was the calmest man in Edinburgh with two classy finishes either side of a Fashion Sakala strike.

For the first 45 minutes, at least, this was a spectacle you just couldn’t take your eyes off. But it’s one Hibs won’t want to watch back in a hurry. Johnson deserves huge praise for turning around his side after their capital derby humiliation. This was a return to the dark days, though, that had left the Englishman