SATURDAY, 27 DECEMBER 2014 14:15 Hibernian 4-0 Rangers WRITTEN BY ALICE HEDWORTH Hibernian 4-0 Rangers THE Rangers team began the day, led by their caretaker boss, by applauding the travelling support as they walked off from their warm up – a show of appreciate after a tough pre- Christmas period for Gers. But that was to be the only cheer the Light Blues could provide the fans with over the next 90 minutes. Kenny McDowall’s side went down 4-0 to a lively Hibernian, who dominated the game from start to finish. The visitors were two goals down within 11 minutes, as Hibs provided a similar storming opening to that of their 3-1 victory at Ibrox in September. Hibs showed the early promise as Ian Black was shrugged off the ball on the half way line in the fourth minute. The Edinburgh outfit surged forward in numbers only to be thwarted by the onrushing Steve Simonsen. With just seven minutes on the clock the home side opened the scoring after their bright start. David Gray found himself in a forward position, pushing on towards the edge of the area -the Light Blues defence stood off the right-back when he collected a square ball of the edge of the area. He found the space to create a curling effort that sailed beyond the outstretched palm of Simonsen and into the top left hand corner of his goal. Five minutes later goal scorer turned provider as Liam Fontaine laid the ball off to Gray, in the same spot he created his opener from. The full-back bent a ball across the area to Liam Craig at the far post. With the ball looking like it would sail out of play, the forward managed to claw it back, and direct it across the face of Gers goal. Jason Cummings was storming into the box and was there in time to scramble the ball over the line, giving Hibs a two goal cushion with the game barely begun. Rangers struggled to put their stamp on the game but began to piece some play together on 25 minutes. Lee Wallace overlapped on the left and managed to get a cross into the six yard box but the Light Blues attacking threat with minimal. Fraser Aird looked to get a foot to the ball but the chance was extinguished before it had even started and the ball bounced away without reaching a blue shirt. Hibs skipped forward brightly again on the half hour mark with Cummings looking for another. Simonsen could only parry his shot and the follow up shot was dragged well wide, but the Rangers defence looked rattled once again. Moments later Kenny McDowall made an early change of personnel, replacing the booked Black with Kyle Hutton. The first time the 23-year old has pulled on a blue shirt since the opening day of the season, against Hearts. As half time approached Rangers were still struggling to make an impact. Hutton found some joy down the left and his cross reached the head Kenny Miller but the striker could only head wide. Hibs, on the other hand, looked like they could carve the Gers back four open every time they attacked. Aird made way at the break for Kris Boyd as Rangers looked to start the second half as Hibs had started the first. Boyd created a much needed spark amongst the Light Blues and the travelling support jumped into action, roaring the Gers forward. With ten minutes of the second period gone Simonsen had a hairy moment when Fontaine found himself with just the keeper to round. But the stopper made his presence known and his outstretched body only allowed the striker to dribble the ball out of play. Rangers began to look alive on 57 minutes through a Stevie Smith free kick. The rebounded chance fell to Law on the edge of the box and the midfielder took time to ensure he angled a low shot at Oxley. Boyd was there to meet to the parried effort but he struggled to sort his feet out in time and punted the ball wide of the upright. It was a promising exchange from McDowall’s men though, as they shook the Hibs defence, something they had rarely managed in the opening 45 minutes. But that impetus wasn’t to last long as the home side eased forward once again. With 62 minutes gone Scott Robertson collected the ball deep inside the Rangers box and took a couple of deft touches before he fired a third for Hibs into the bottom corner. Rangers tried to react as best they could and Law had an effort cleared off the line by Fontaine. The Edinburgh outfit were quick to respond though as they struck Gers on the counter – Handling lashing a shot inches wide of the left post. A minute later, with 70 minutes ticking onto the score board, Hibs were to make the Light Blues pay once again. Craig picked up a ball in the exact position of Handling moments early, just on the opposite side of the box. This time the forward was to take full advantage of the chance and fired the ball into the bottom right corner before reeling away in celebration with Hibs four to the good. Rangers couldn’t muster up any response in the final ten minutes, with a consolation goal looking impossible and the 11 blue shirts trudged off the Easter Road turf with their head bowed. RANGERS: Simonsen; Foster, McCulloch, McGregor, Wallace; Aird (Boyd 45”), Black (Hutton 33”), Law, Smith; Miller (Shiels 83”), Clark Subs not used: Robinson, Mohsni, Daly, Faure Yellows: Black 20”, McCulloch 85 HIBERNIAN: Oxley, Gray (Booth 73”), Hanlon, Fontaine, Robertson, Craig, Stevenson, Handling (Kennedy 86”), Allan, Malonga, Cummings (Stanton 86”) Subs not used: Perntreou , Heffernan, Sinclair , Martin Goals: Gray 7”, Cummings 12”, Robertson 62”, Craig 69” rangers.co.uk/match/match-reports/item/8289-hibernian-4-0-rangers
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 14:26:02 +0000
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