Rangers took a giant step closer to the Scottish Premiership play-off final with a 2-0 defeat of Hibernian in the first leg of the semi-final at Ibrox.

Hibs started brightly but it was the home side that took a 44th minute lead when Nicky Clark provided a fine flicked finish to Richard Forster's cross.

Rangers then doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute through former Hibs striker Kenny Miller to put the Glasgow giants firmly in the driving seat for Saturday's return at Easter Road as they bid to return to Scotland's top flight after a three year absence.

Hibs, who suffered play-off agony last year when their defeat to Hamilton saw them relegated to the Championship, now face a tough task to reach the final against Motherwell.

Rangers named an unchanged side from the one which saw off Queen of the South on Sunday with club captain Lee McCulloch restored to the bench.

Hibs, who had 18 days off prior to the match, had most of the early play as their freshness showed.

The Easter Road side, who triumphed on their previous two visits to Ibrox, were pinging the ball about confidently and Liam Craig tried his luck from distance only to see his effort rise just over the bar.

Rangers started to slowly impose themselves on the game and had a couple of efforts blocked before Miller fired a fizzing effort from the right straight at 'keeper Mark Oxley.

The visitors then raced forward and some good footwork saw Dominique Malonga get away from the Rangers defence and flash the ball across goal for Jason Cummings at the back post, but the striker took his eye off it and let the chance slip under his foot.

Hibs midfielder Scott Robertson was the first to go in the referee's book for blocking off Clark on the edge of the box and Mark Oxley did well to fend away a curling effort from Nicky Law from the resultant free-kick.

Rangers made the breakthrough in the 44th minute with a well-worked goal.

The Hibs defence stood off Haris Vuckic who lofted an audacious ball over the top for Foster who drilled the ball into the six yard box where Clark flicked the ball past Oxley.

The home side started the second half on the front foot and, with the Hibs defence backing off him, Vuckic moved into the box and saw his low, fierce strike well-saved by Oxley.

However, moments later Malonga sent a header on to the roof of the net at the other end after he was allowed space at a corner.

Fraser Fyvie prevented Vuckic adding a second for Rangers on the hour mark when he outmuscled the Slovenian playmaker to cut out Law's cross.

However, the Gers grabbed a deserved second in the 63rd minute through veteran striker Miller.

Dean Shiels had his shot charged down and Lee Wallace headed the rebound back into the box where Miller fired an angled shot under Oxley and into the net.

Foster then saw a fizzing shot just tipped over by Oxley as Rangers threatened to add a late third.