Things we learned as forwards lit up Ibrox in a scintillating show

Jermain Defoe has still got it

This wily, old (in football terms) operator remains one of the deadliest strikers in the game when the ball is bouncing about the opposition area.

Before his first goal, the Englishman had sent warnings to the Hibs defence that he was in the mood, always playing on the shoulder of a defender who didn’t know which way to look.

Defoe’s opener was typical in that when Ofir Marciano in the Hibs goal didn’t do great with a save, the ball broke free and, to no real surprise, it was the 36-year-old who read the situation and made no mistake.

And then his finish off Jordan Jones’s cross – wonderful – all he needed was a flicker of space and the ball was past marker and keeper.

His hat-trick goal, a back-post header, was all about this incredible poacher’s ability to get between two much bigger opponents, then timed his jump to perfection.

Defoe doesn’t drink, eat meat, is into yoga and is known as a hard trainer. There are lessons in here for all of us.

Rangers might have scored more Some of the football played by Steven Gerrard’s side was superb, especially in the first half-hour which had the supporters purring with pleasure.

You can see the way the manager wants his team to play; with quick passing, getting the ball into danger areas.

Jordan Jones was brilliant in the first half. The winger had a most enjoyable time beating Hibs defenders for fun. The midfield were on their A-game.

Sure, they allowed Hibs into the game and the sending off of Sean Mackie helped at a time when Rangers hummed and hawed a bit.

However, Rangers were ahead of Hibs in every department apart from the goalkeeper, as Ofir Marciano pulled off half a dozen superb saves to keep down the score.

That Alfredo Morelos could be rested and then come on as relatively late sub and get two goals will make Gerrard a happy man.

Joe Aribo looks top drawer

He doesn’t look like a footballer. That’s the thing. His legs are too long, his body over-stretched and skinny.

And yet when the Londoner gets the ball at either foot, this lank lad transforms into a subtle and inventive playmaker who glides over the grass.

Aribo has a lovely way of delaying a pass just that half a second longer than you’d think to then lay a ball to a team-mate. His first touch tends to be tidy, and he has a lovely way of turning as soon as he has the ball.

Scott Allan should play be a Scotland player

His pass inside the Rangers back four to pick out Daryl Horgan took out five players, which led to the goal that brought Hibs into a match they weren’t in at all.

Playing in a No10 role, where he should be every week, Allan was Hibs’ best player by some way. He looked like the player we all remember in a Hibs strip.

Right, let’s ignore what has gone before and concentrate on the future. Allan has the talent to be one of the best players in the Premiership. He has a football brain which allows him to operate at a higher level than so many others. This guy should be an international.

...but Hibs did not look great

For a start, that Florian Kamberi didn’t lead the line was a mystery, but this was an afternoon when Hibs would have worried their supporters.

There was a lack of fight, aside from a ten-minute spell, and while Allan played well, he got little support.

If they are to be a top four team, then tweaks must be made. Heckingbottom will hope that it’s nothing major.