Rangers are back on track for automatic promotion from the Scottish Championship, to judge by the evidence of a rambunctious contest played out at Ibrox before that rarity in Glasgow these days, a full house for a meaningful league match – and the third biggest of the day in the UK.
After falling behind to Jason Cummings’ delightful opener, they were ahead by the interval thanks to a double from Jason Holt and seemed to have sealed the deal midway through the second half when Nicky Clark deftly eased a cross from fellow substitute, Dean Shiels, past Mark Oxley.
The proceedings took a twist, however, when Andy Halliday was red carded for what Bobby Madden evidently interpreted as a head butt by the Rangers midfielder on Fraser Fyvie, although TV replays indicated that no contact had been made and the Hibs man was evasive on the subject afterwards. Rangers will appeal the referee’s decision.
Dominique Malonga’s late and point-blank header cast the issue into doubt once again but Rangers summoned another surge of energy from their depleted ranks to confirm their victory in the final minute of normal time. An astutely worked strike by Martyn Waghorn ensured that they would move three points clear of Alan Stubbs’ side at the halfway stage of the campaign and end Hibs’ 17 game unbeaten run.
In recent weeks Stubbs has added to the gaiety of the nation – certainly those factions composed of football correspondents and social media contributors – by sniping at Mark Warburton, while the Rangers manager resolutely ignored the bullets aimed at him. This was the moment for Hibs to front up and it seemed that they could deliver when, midway through the half, they responded to a Rangers counter attack with a thrust of their own.
Andy Halliday was shown a red card for an alleged head butt
Liam Henderson’s attempt to convert David Gray’s cross was deflected towards Cummings, who allowed Wes Foderingham to make his move before exposing the goalkeeper in mid-dive with a cute chip for his seventh goal in nine games against Rangers. The accomplishment of the finish will only add to the attraction of Cummings for those English clubs who are expected to make a move for the striker next month.
“There are not many who could afford him,” said Stubbs. “Jason has started to take his game to another level. He could comfortably play in the English Championship and he’s got a right good chance at Premiership level.”
Holt, though, was in similarly cool form at the other end of the field when Fyvie’s afternoon of distinctly mixed fortune began with a cheap concession of possession, from which the ball was shuttled through James Tavernier and Waghorn. Holt scooped his shot over Mark Oxley to bring Rangers level and the same player put them ahead just before the break when he was allowed to stand on a short pass from Barrie McKay before swivelling to clip home off the straining boot of Paul Hanlon.
Warburton’s deployment of Shiels and Clark midway through the second half paid an immediate dividend with the latter’s goal, but attention was promptly grabbed by Halliday’s altercation with Fyvie, who bundled into him forcefully. Halliday flicked out his boot – which could be sufficient to sustain his conviction – and then thrust his shoulder and chest towards his adversary.
Fyvie responded by clutching his face and continued to do so while Halliday trudged to the tunnel. “I have to be careful what I say but we will go through the due process,” said Warburton.
Martyn Waghorn celebrates Rangers' fourth goal in understated, non-inflammatory fashion
Fyvie, meanwhile, dissembled when asked if Halliday had actually struck him on the face. “He kicked out at me first and then leaned in,” said the Hibs midfielder. “Bobby’s decided to send him off because obviously he’s acted aggressively towards me.”
For his part, Stubbs prompted sceptical guffaws when he was asked about the relative positions of the contenders. “I can’t speak about other teams,” he said. “We contributed to our own downfall through the decision making, but it’s just three points. We move on.”
Warburton, of course, was more than customarily expansive when invited to assess his team’s position. “The significance of today was never ignored,” he said.
“The backing we got was magnificent. Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace have experienced that many times but the young players haven’t. When you have 52,000 fans at Ibrox there is no need for motivation.
“We more than answered questions today. We showed how strong this squad is. It is not just about desire. It was a pleasing all-round performance.”
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