Match Review: Rangers 3-1 Hibernian..

Published on 31 March 2024 at 20:02

Rangers returned to the summit of the Scottish Premiership table, albeit temporarily, with a 3-1 victory over Hibernian at Ibrox.

Scott Wright saw his effort cleared off the line early on after being picked out by Cyriel Dessers in the penalty area. Wright then thought he had put his side in front after 21 minutes following Tavernier's penalty being saved and Wright dispatching the rebound, however his effort was ruled out following a VAR review as the midfielder was deemed to have moved too early. 

James Tavernier would made amends for his penalty miss just five minutes later, brilliantly volleying in after Hibs failed to clear after John Lundstram's cross. This goal makes the Rangers captain the highest scoring defender in British football history with 131 senior goals; 123 of these have been scored for the Light Blues since arriving at Ibrox in 2015.

The Edinburgh side would equalise in first half stoppage time through Maolida following some poor Rangers defending, before Cyriel Dessers restored the home side's advantage - seven minutes into added on time at the end of the first 45 minutes, heading in from close range from Todd Cantwell's cross. 

Rangers continued to create chances in the second half as Clement's side looked to kill the game off - John Lundstram saw his effort deflected wide and Dessers was denied by Hibs 'keeper Marshall - before substitute Rabbi Matondo's stunning strike in the 85th minute from outisde the penalty area found the bottom corner of the net, securing the three points for the Gers at Ibrox. 

Abdallah Sima would also make his long-awaited return from injury, with the Senegalese forward coming on for Dessers in the 80th minute. 

Philippe Clement: "It's a good feeling to play again and to win again. It's all about that. It was a very convincing performance, a lot of good football and a tremendous atmosphere in the stadium. We dominated Hibs with and without the ball. We could have scored four, five, six today."

The Light Blues will face Celtic next in the Old Firm derby on Sunday, April 7th at Ibrox, kick-off midday. Following Celtic's win at Livingston Rangers will go into the game one point behind their bitter rivals, albeit with a game in hand. 

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