IMG_2741

The second biggest UK football crowd of the weekend watched Rangers move six points clear of Hibs in the Championship with a narrow 1-0 win at Ibrox this afternoon thanks to a stunning free kick from James Travernier.

Hibs’ Head Coach Alan Stubbs elected to make two changes to the starting XI which beat Morton last weekend with goalscorer Jason Cummings returning in place of Dominique Malonga and on loan midfielder Liam Henderson replacing Marvin Bartley.

New signing Dylan McGeouch started on the bench after signing a three year deal on Friday.

Hibs started brightly and won a free kick 25 yards from goal but Cummings’ effort flew high over the bar.

Rangers then started to dominate possession and Lewis Stevenson did well to block a Kenny Miller shot, then from the resultant corner Martin Waghorn should have scored with a free header but the striker who has already scored four times against Hibs this season headed well over the bar.

In the 15th minute, a clearance by Wes Foderingham was intercepted by Martin Boyle but Danny Wilson’s tackle cleared the danger. Five minutes later Lee Wallace did well to block a strike from Cummings on the edge of the six yard area.

In the 35th minute Boyle’s long range shot from the edge of the area went three feet past the post, then moments later Rob Kiernan was lucky to escape punishment following a reckless challenge on the impressive Henderson, but the referee took no action.

Paul Hanlon did well to block a Wallace cross then from the corner, the ball fell to Waghorn but the striker’s shot was cleared off the line by Gray.

Hibs should have taken the lead just before the break when John McGinn sent a superb through ball to Boyle on the right. The winger looked up and passed the ball to the unmarked Cummings but the youngster’s first time right foot effort was easily saved.

With half time approaching the referee, who had ignored Kieran challenge on Henderson, booked McGinn for an innocuous trip on Nicky Law.

Rangers started the second half strongly and former Hearts midfielder Jason Holt latched onto a Law cross His first time effort rebounded off the chest of Liam Fontaine then Holt hit the rebound toward the bottom corner of the goal, bringing out an outstanding save from Mark Oxley.

Gray then did well to clear a Tavernier cross before having to leave the field with an injury. He was replaced by McGeouch who took over the right back role. Stevenson then blocked a Waghorn shot as Rangers looked to grab the lead.

In the 61st minute Fontaine got on the end of a John McGinn free kick but his header was well saved by Foderingham.

Hibs should have opened the scoring two minutes later when Cummings set up Henderson who was unmarked 20 yards from goal, but the teenager’s first time effort flew well over the bar.

Two minutes later Rangers were awarded a controversial free kick when Kenny Miller’s cross struck McGeouch’s arm at point blank range.

Tavernier took the free kick from the left side and his powerful shot curled into the top corner of the net with Oxley stranded.

Hibs fought back and Dan Carmichael did well to set up Henderson but the youngster mishit his strike and the ball went well wide.

Malonga replaced Carmichael in the 76th minute and Sam Stanton replaced Henderson near the end as Hibs pressed fro an equaliser but Rangers held on to secure the valuable three points.

Rangers: Foderingham, Tavernier, Kiernan, Wilson, Wallace, Holt, Halliday, Law, McKay, Waghorn, Miller. Subs: Kelly, Ball, Hardie, Clark, Shiels, Oduwa, Walsh

Hibs: Oxley, Gray, Stevenson, Hanlon, Fontaine, Fyvie, McGinn, Henderson, Carmichael, Boyle, Cummings. Subs: Reguero, Bartley, Malonga, McGeouch, Stanton, Martin, Dunsmore.

Attendance 49,220

Referee Steven McLean

+ posts

John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.