It wasn’t a classic at a packed-out Ibrox but a stunner from Tom Lawrence was enough to seal a 1-0 win for Rangers, who made it four victories on the spin against Hibs.
It was a pedestrian start with Jordan Obita looking the most likely to create something down the Hibs left on a day where the visitors struggled to make anything happen. Lawrence’s continued inclusion has been questioned by Rangers fans at times this season but he soon justified his involvement with a screamer. The No.11 took a clever reverse pass from Ross McCausland on the left-hand side of the Hibs box, took a touch to set himself, and curled one in at the far post – the goal initially disallowed for offside before a lengthy VAR check deemed it on.
There was more VAR drama right on half-time and this time it went against Rangers, John Souttar penalised for handball in the box. But Jack Butland bailed them out, saving, and holding, a poor spot-kick from Mykola Kukharevych.
Some grumbles were heard amid the quiet as a packed out Ibrox grew slightly frustrated in the second half. Cyriel Dessers, on as a sub for Hamza Igamane, nearly brought the stadium to its feet with a header 10 minutes from time but it was brilliantly saved at close range by Josef Bursik.
They had to make do with just a single goal in the end. But a win’s a win as Rangers promise to get things back on the rails. Here are our 3 talking points.
Lovely from Lawrence
Rangers fans had been cold-to-lukewarm on Tom Lawrence but they’ll be warming up to him now. His injury issues have seemingly been parked and he’s growing into one of Philippe Clement’s most influential players.
A sleepy first half needed a moment of quality to wake things up and Lawrence didn’t half come up with it. He might have been the only player on the pitch capable of scoring his goal, taking a touch in from the left before nonchalantly curling one beyond Josif Bursik into the far corner. It’s his third goal from 10 games this season and he’s shaping up to have his best, and most consistent campaign in light blue.
Gray goes for it
One thing David Gray can’t be accused of here is over-cautiousness. Some managers might have been tempted to sit in, even at 1-0 down, and hope to nick something on the break. But as the second half wore on, the Hibs boss threw caution to the wind. On came Dwight Gayle for a debut while Elie Youan and the lesser-spotted Harry McKirdy were thrown on to make something happen.
That nearly paid off when Chris Cadden crossed for Gayle but the striker headed wide with virtually his first touch as a Hibs player. It came up short in the end but there were some signs of life as a poor start to the season threatens to come to life for Hibs.
Home comforts
It’s fair to say it was a nervy Ibrox in the second half but ultimately it was a comfortable re-introduction to league action at home for Rangers. It was the first time their spiritual home had been packed out since April and it marked the end of a saga the club will be keen to consign to the history books.
It wasn’t what you’d call a classic but there were scenes of celebration at full-time after Clement’s team made it four wins from four. It seems the Belgian has rode out the waves of crisis, for now – and it’s over to a huge Europa League clash with Lyon during the week.