Rangers 1 Hibs 0
Despite a brave and spirited performance from the boys this afternoon, we left Ibrox empty-handed following a narrow loss.
Tom Lawrence’s first half stunner was all that separated the sides following 90 minutes where we more than held our own and perhaps, should’ve taken something from the contest.
The best of our opportunities came in first time stoppage time when Mykola Kuharevich saw his penalty kick saved by Jack Butland.
We gave the hosts as torrid an afternoon as they’ve endured domestically – outside of an Old Firm - and that led to a flat atmosphere as the home support grew anxious.
In the end, Rangers held on to claim victory and three points, however, David Gray and his charges will take enormous credit for their efforts throughout.
Gray had earlier made three enforced changes to the side that defeated St Johnstone in our last outing.
Joe Newell and Martin Boyle missed out having had minor operations recently, whilst Nicky Cadden picked up a knock in training and wasn’t risked.
Lewis Miller came into the back four, Josh Campbell started in a supporting role up top, whilst Junior Hoilett made his first start for the Club on the left flank.
Rudi Molotnikov and Elie Youan dropped to the substitutes’ bench where they were joined by new signing, Dwight Gayle.
Warren O’Hora led the boys out in Newell’s absence as we lined-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, that transitioned into a 4-5-1 when out of possession.
We started well and had an early opportunity when Chris Cadden’s cross was taken off the head of Kuharevich by the stretching Butland and fell to Hoilett, who couldn’t keep his shot down.
Rangers had opportunities themselves with Lawrence dragging a shot wide before Ross McAusland looped a header just over the crossbar.
Rangers were enjoying the lion’s share of possession, however, we were creating as many opportunities as Kwon Hyeok-kyu twice went close with efforts from the edge of the box.
The hosts should’ve done better when Jefte took advantage of slack possession from Miller to drive down the left and from his cut back Cerny should’ve scored only to drag a shot wide of the far post.
The deadlock was broken in the 35th minute when McCausland fed Lawrence on the left flank, he stepped inside onto his right foot and curled an exquisite finish into the far top corner to leave Josef Bursik helpless.
The goal was initially chalked off for offside however VAR showed the winger was onside and the goal stood.
The atmosphere inside Ibrox had been quite flat given how we had performed but the opening goal certainly lifted the mood around Govan.
Despite falling behind we would finish the half strongly and boss Gray would’ve been happy with his players’ reaction to the loss of the opening goal.
First, Josh Campbell drew a save from Butland with a low drive from the edge of the box before Kwon almost curled a terrific finish in at the post before Butland again made a big save.
Then, in first half stoppage time, we were awarded a penalty kick after Kuharevich’s shot was blocked by Souttar’s arm. It wasn’t initially given by referee Nick Walsh only for VAR to recommend a review which saw the official change his decision.
Mykola took the kick himself but his shot was saved by Butland low to his right.
The second period started in much the same way with Hibs on the front foot.
We had a big chance early in the second half when Hoilett’s free kick found the run of Campbell through the defensive pack, only for the midfielder to fail to take it down and the ball squirmed away.
Moments later Campbell had a shot deflected wide which led to a series of corner kicks before Kwon fired over the top after a good spell of pressure from us.
The growing nerves around Ibrox Stadium were palatable as we shuffled our pack with attacking intent by introducing Youan and Gayle for the final 25 minutes.
With 16 minutes remaining Rangers had their first effort on goal in the second period when Lawrence’s effort from 20 yards was fired straight at Bursik.
The game became stretched as we pushed more bodies forward and Rangers were certainly more of an attacking threat following the introduction of Cyriel Dessers.
With nine minutes remaining the Rangers substitute thought he had scored when he headed Bajrami’s cross goalward only to be denied by a stunning point-blank stop from Bursik, who did well to keep it out as he fell backward.
We were soon back on the attack and from Cadden’s cross, Gayle came within a whisker of restoring parity with a fine header that had the beating of Butland only to flash inches wide of the post.
In time added on we had one final chance when Miller’s knock down found Cadden only for his effort to be blocked by Propper as the hosts held on.