Rangers 2-0 Hibernian: Hosts win to keep pace at top of Premiership
- Published
Rangers "could have scored more" as they beat struggling Hibernian at Ibrox to keep pace with Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Captain James Tavernier scored his fourth goal in nine games with an early penalty and Alfredo Morelos doubled the lead after the break.
That keeps the champions a point behind their city rivals in the title race.
"We put a lot of energy into the game, a lot of pressure," said manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
"But overall the performance was really good. It was 2-0 but we could have scored more.
"We responded well against Hearts on Sunday and it was very important to continue that way of playing. We have to raise our standards every game and this is the level we want with the team."
However, Hibs have dropped to seventh place after a sixth game without a win.
This was another good reaction by Rangers to last week's Old Firm defeat by Celtic following Sunday's 5-0 trouncing of Hearts.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side threatened to blow another Edinburgh side away in similar fashion within the opening 10 minutes here.
James Tavernier's early penalty got them underway after Ryan Kent was scythed down by Paul McGinn and Scott Arfield should have added a second shortly afterwards but put Tavernier's cross the wrong side of a post from close range.
It was a relentless start. But, after Hibs defender McGinn and Rangers' Leon Balogun had to limp off early after being injured in an aerial challenge with each other, it appeared it was the visitors who adjusted better.
Demetri Mitchell and Ewen Henderson both threatened with free-kicks, while Kevin Nisbet forced a save from Allan McGregor from close range.
But Rangers also passed up chances to increase their lead. Morelos had a shot tipped past moments after the home side had strong calls for a second penalty when Chris Cadden appeared to knock over Kent.
Tavernier, Morelos and Kent were all guilty of failing to hit the target from good positions before the break, but the second goal arrived soon after half-time.
Morelos beat the offside trap to slip onto Tavernier's pass and rocketed a shot into the roof of the net, his third goal in two games since his return from international duty with Colombia.
And Morelos had a carbon copy of the chance later, only for goalkeeper Matt Macey to block.
Kent twice went close to a third; a driven shot deflected over by Josh Doig, before curling an effort wide of the far post.
Hibs could have set up a grandstand finish had Cadden's powerful shot or Sylvester Jasper's curling effort beaten McGregor, but the veteran goalkeeper pulled off two fine saves to deny them.
Man of the match - James Tavernier
The Rangers captain scored one, assisted one, and also created chances for Arfield and Morelos that could have led to a healthier scoreline
What did we learn?
Rangers may have been brushed aside at Celtic Park, but they have shown they are far from out of the title race. In two games since then, they have scored seven and conceded none, and that is with key players either injured or not fully match fit.
Morelos' importance to the side was again evident. His trip to Colombia for international duty did little to benefit him with the striker given no game time, and his three goals since then for his club show how much he was missed.
Hibs continue to struggle for form. They did create chances at Ibrox and found an inspired McGregor in their way.
But they shot themselves in the foot with the early penalty award, while more than once they tried to play out from the back but were pressed and harried into mistakes.
What they said
Hibernian manager Shaun Maloney: "It was a very difficult start. It tests the character and mentality of the team but we regrouped and defensively were pretty good, so I have to give credit for my team to stay in the fight for as long as we did.
"There were moments. We have to be more clinical. I think in the last 20 minutes I felt we were still in the game, I thought we grew stronger as it went on, I know Rangers had a 2-0 lead but we had chances to change the game."
What's next?
Hibernian are at Arbroath on Sunday in the Scottish Cup (12:30 GMT - live on BBC One Scotland), while Rangers travel to face Annan Athletic for a place in the last-eight the previous day (17:30 GMT).