THE work to repair the self-inflicted damage continues for Rangers. Time will tell if it is the foundation upon which a title triumph is ultimately built.

A week on from their Old Firm humbling, this was another step in the right direction for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side. As Hibernian were overcome with relative ease, an Edinburgh double was completed with the minimum of fuss.

A James Tavernier penalty and strike from Alfredo Morelos would earn the victory that keeps Rangers within touching distance of Celtic at the top of the table. That battle will resume after the bid for cup silverware is picked up once again this weekend.

Van Bronckhorst had demanded a response to that derby day humiliation last midweek. He has got what he asked for and Rangers are slowly but surely putting that nightmare behind them as they now do the chasing in the top flight.

The 5-0 win against Hearts had restored some faith from supporters and given an indication that the champions still have the mentality and ability to emerge triumphant in the title race this term. More evidence was required, though.

On paper, this challenge appeared to be a more straightforward one for Rangers to negotiate and a Hibernian side without a league win since seeing off Dundee United on Boxing Day should not have struck fear into their minds. So it would prove.

Shaun Maloney would tweak and tinker as four changes – which saw Matt Macey, Paul McGinn, Josh Doig and Ewan Henderson start – were made for his return to Ibrox. It was ultimately a disappointing one for the former Celtic forward.

Maloney is still searching for the winning formula. A Scottish Cup tie with Arbroath at the weekend should not be overly ominous, but it is no gimme for a side who are treading water in the Premiership.

The messages emerging from the Rangers camp as attentions turned from Hearts to Hibs were those of replicating the performance. It didn't need a repeat of the scoreline to make this a pleasing night for the champions.

There was a purpose in the way that Van Bronckhorst’s side went about their business on Sunday. A couple of days later, they would pick up where they left off and it took just five minutes for the deadlock to be broken and the lead to be taken.

The method and the scorer were familiar. From 12 yards, Tavernier made no mistake as he fired a penalty straight down the middle of the goal and a despairing Macey could only watch on after picking a side.

It was Ryan Kent who had won Rangers the spot kick as he beat McGinn on the outside and earned a foul that gave Nick Walsh an easy decision to make. Coming on the back of an encouraging showing against the Jambos, it was an early sign of intent from Kent.

He would try his luck from distance on a couple of occasions later in the half. Macey wasn’t overly exerted by either effort, but they were moments that showed the winger was in the mood once again.

Rangers ended the half in the ascendency. Given their smart start, they really should have had more than the one goal to their credit as Hibernian hung on and stayed in the game.

Maloney’s side benefited from Rangers dropping their levels for a spell. It wasn’t one that they could take advantage of, however, as Allan McGregor saved well from Kevin Nisbet after he connected with a Doig cross and then dealt with a speculative free-kick from Ewan Henderson, the on-loan Celtic midfielder.

It was a period that coincided with the loss of Leon Balogun as he and McGinn both paid the price for a collision in the Rangers area and were forced off within a few seconds of each other.

As Calvin Bassey reverted to a central role alongside Connor Goldson, who was making his 200th appearance for Rangers, Borna Barisic was introduced at left-back. It took time for Rangers to readjust.

A scuffed strike from Tavernier, after a Barisic cross broke to the edge of the area, was never going to worry Macey, while Morelos should have done better after a dogged press from Rangers forced Ryan Porteous into a mistake. The move wasn’t finished, though, as a poor touch from Morelos was followed by a tame effort.

When the champions did find a way through, they were denied by the offside flag. A looping header from Scott Arfield ultimately didn’t count, but he would have been frustrated not to have doubled the lead earlier on after diverting a cushioned effort wide of target.

It had been evident since those opening minutes that a second goal would win the game for Rangers. They had to wait for it, but it would finally come just before the hour mark.

Tavernier added an assist to his goal to keep the numbers ticking over. They do so for Morelos, too, after he netted his 16th of the campaign.

The pass from his captain was perfectly directed and weighted as the Hibernian defence was turned and nobody tracked the run of Morelos. He controlled the ball with his first touch and then beat Macey with a sweetly struck strike that was rifled into the roof of the net.

In that moment, the game was won and the job was done for Rangers. It was only natural that thoughts would drift towards events at Pittodrie, but Van Bronckhorst’s side had their own tally to add to before they could concern themselves with matters outwith their control.

Morelos was denied by Macey after another neat pass from Tavernier, while Kent’s strike was diverted over the bar by Doig. In between those efforts, Arfield and Joe Aribo were replaced by Fashion Sakala and Aaron Ramsey.

The response to the second goal from Hibernian had been lacklustre. There appeared no belief that a comeback could be mounted, and the passing of time only edged the visitors towards the final outcome that they had appeared to have accepted.

Rangers did not need a third goal to make sure of the three points. This victory may not have been as resounding in terms of the scoreline as the one over Hearts, but it was just as comfortable for the champions.

The response to their Old Firm defeat has been just what Van Bronckhorst needed. Now, more of the same is required if momentum is to be regained as confidence is rebuilt.