Hamilton stroll just the start, says Caixinha

Glasgow (AFP) – New Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha said his side still have a lot of work ahead of them after they thrashed Hamilton 4-0 at Ibrox.

The 46-year-old declared himself happy to get his reign off to a winning start just a week after joining from Qatari club Al-Gharafa.

But the Portuguese said more must be done to restore a winning mentality, with the club having struggled on their return to the Scottish top flight this season.

“I am very happy as we had just four days of work with the players,” Caixinha said after Saturday’s game.

“Everything we asked of the players and everything we worked on with the players during the week, we saw today.

“We tried to work with the players about some basic principles regarding some specific moments in the game and I think they reproduced it on the pitch today, so I need to be happy with that.

“I need to be happy with the attitude, pace and quality of the work as a team and, of course, to start with a win.

“If you want to get back a winning culture, then the first step is always important.

“We still have a lot of work in front of us. We still have a lot of behaviours to keep working on, but I’m very happy about the work the players did today out on the pitch.”

With Caixinha urging his players on from the technical area, Rangers looked to get the ball forward as quickly as they could while in possession and pressurise their opponents when they were not.

Their pressure paid off as American international Emerson Hyndman fired Rangers in front in the 26th minute, before Clint Hill tapped in a second four minutes before half-time.

Martyn Waghorn earned and expertly dispatched a penalty 11 minutes into the second period before captain Lee Wallace finished off a fine passing sequence to make it 4-0 in the 74th minute.

“My first statement today to the players was: ‘I want you to enjoy,'” said Caixinha.

“If you are here and you are anxious, then things are not going to work. So, I want you to be happy and I want you to enjoy.

“I want our team to play like they were kids. Kids love to play football.

“All the professionals start as a kid dreaming one day of being in this position. Now they are in this position, but they need to enjoy it the same. They did it and I’m very happy at that.”