SPL: Rangers 2-1 Hibernian 22/03/08

[DavidMc]

Rangers v Hibernian
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 22nd March 08
Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow

Rangers welcome back Barry Ferguson after the captain missed Wednesday's Scottish Cup draw with Partick Thistle.
Defender David Weir also returns as does striker Jean-Claude Darcheville, who has recovered from a groin injury.

Hibernian will be without injured midfield duo Brian Kerr and Guillame Beuzelin for the trip to Ibrox.

Ian Murray is free from suspension and Thierry Gathuessi is fit again but faces competition for the right-back slot from Martin Canning.

[DavidMc]

Rangers 2-1 Hibernian

SPL leaders Rangers overcame Hibs at Ibrox thanks to goals from Jean-Claude Darcheville and Nacho Novo.

After a sluggish start, Darcheville smashed an impressive shot high into the far corner of the net from an acute angle on 40 minutes.

Substitute Nacho Novo later capitalised on a Chris Hogg mistake to drill in a sharp finish from 14 yards.

Hibs lacked a cutting edge in attack until Dean Shiels found the net after his initial effort had hit the bar.

Rangers are now six points clear of Celtic, who play Gretna on Sunday.

Home manager Walter Smith made five changes from the Scottish Cup draw against Partick Thistle, with Barry Ferguson, David Weir, Sasa Papac, Lee McCulloch and Darcheville returning.

Hibs made two changes following last week's win over Kilmarnock. Out went Paul Hanlon and Merouane Zemmama to be replaced by the more robust duo of Ian Murray and Abdel Zarabi.

The cagey early stages saw both sides strive to keep possession, with Hibs enjoying more success with some neat interplay and crisp passing.

However, it was some slack play from Rangers which presented the visitors with their first sight of goal.

An errant delivery found its way to Filipe Morias, who lifted a neat pass towards Colin Nish, but the big striker misjudged the bounce of the ball as he bore down on keeper Allan McGregor and a great chance was gone.

Rangers' first meaningful effort on goal came on 18 minutes when Papac thundered a long range shot narrowly wide of the target.

Hibs striker Steven Fletcher dragged a shot wide from 20 yards as as both goalkeepers looked on without getting their gloves dirty.

Smith's side had been out-of-sorts but took the lead five minutes before the interval thanks to the sharpness of Darcheville and sloppy defending from Hibs.

Full-back Martin Canning was caught napping when Papac threaded a simple pass through to his team-mate and the striker cut in from the left flank before slamming a shot beyond Yves Makalambay from a tight angle.

Early in the second half, Darcheville broke clear of the Hibs defence but Makalambay used his large frame to block the Frenchman's shot from 18 yards.

The striker again raced into a dangerous position but was thwarted by the keeper, who was quick to leave his area and kick clear.

Hibs continued to knock the ball around confidently but lacked any punch up front and the home side increased their lead with 11 minutes remaining.

Hogg made a mess of dealing with a long ball from Kirk Broadfoot and Novo was hand to spin on the defender's weak header and shoot low past Makalambay.

Shiels added some trickery for the visitors and McGregor had to make a good save to tip away his shot.

The substitute grabbed a late consolation for Hibs when he latched on to a pass from Nish and followed up his clever chip which hit the crossbar to drill the ball home.



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Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Papac, Dailly, Thomson, Davis, Ferguson, McCulloch (Whittaker 81), Darcheville (Novo 67). Subs Not Used: Alexander, Boyd, Naismith, Emslie, Furman.

Goals: Darcheville 40, Novo 79.

[DavidMc]

We looked tired today. Better second half but the game didnt have much tempo. Massive game next weekend against Celtic at Ibrox.

Kevin Thomson had a good game today and won the man of the match award. Will be important to have him back and in-form for the run in this season.

[LAF]

You guys have looked tired for a few weeks now, same goes for Celtic actually. Your picking up the wins though.

This is why I can't see you guys going to the final of the cup, fatigue is setting in. A shame because Rangers are a decent team.

[DavidMc]

We have looked tired for a few weeks now. Good to be involved in 4 competitions. We have a good squad size so hopefully we can rest one or two key players now and then.

Ferguson has to play though. Its tough because I feel he needs a rest but we need his presence at the moment. We managed to rest a couple of players yesterday (Hemdani, Burke etc)

But the run-in is going to be tough. These Old Firm games that are coming up are going to be massive. Tiredness should disappear when these games come around because they mean so much.