Rangers player ratings v Hibs: two 5/10s disappoint, 9/10 the Ibrox matchwinner
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Rangers are celebrating a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hibs in the Scottish Premiership at a fully-packed Ibrox.
The Gers eventually edged out a win against the Edinburgh club courtesy of a stunning first-half Tom Lawrence strike from the edge of the 18-yard box.
The goal was initially ruled out for offside but the decision was eventually overturned by VAR with the Welshman clearly being kept onside by a trailing Hibs defender.
Jack Butland was then forced to save a tame Mykola Kuharevich penalty after John Souttar was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.
Rangers certainly weren't at their swashbuckling best at Ibrox but ground out a result, with the second half in particular an uninspiring showing.
Here's how the Rangers players rated as a sell-out Ibrox watched their side win in the Scottish Premiership for the first time this season.
Rangers player ratings v Hibs at Ibrox
Jack Butland – 8
Jack Butland played a crucial role in Rangers' win over Hibs with two vital saves in the first half.
The Rangers goalkeeper got down low to get a touch on a long-range effort from Hibs midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu which looked destined for the back of the net.
Butland then stepped up to read Mykola Kuharevich's penalty kick on the stroke of half-time to keep Rangers' 1-0 lead intact.
Coming back to his commanding best after a rocky start to the season.
James Tavernier – 7
James Tavernier has been given firm backing by Philippe Clement and continues to put in lung-bursting performances for the Gers at right-back.
The Rangers captain was once again heavily involved in everything that came down the right-hand side and routinely popped up in strong positions at the edge of the box.
Creating four chances for his teammates, Tavernier also made seven crosses in the game whilst winning four out of the five tackles he made.
Always involved, Tavernier's standards have heaped the scrutiny on him this season but the skipper continues to turn up and turn out for the club.
John Souttar – 6
It's fair to say that John Souttar has been one of Rangers' best players so far this season.
And the Ibrox defender once again played a crucial role in the Gers getting their fourth clean sheet in a row and sixth in seven matches.
Routinely winning those aerial duels in the Rangers box, Souttar did however have amongst the rockiest of his most recent appearances.
Giving away that penalty for handball come full-time, Souttar looked uneasy at Ibrox with that post-Malmo lethargy perhaps having a big role to play.
Robin Propper – 6
Another somewhat shaky performance, it's perhaps misleading that both Souttar and Robin Propper are getting six apiece here.
After all, both were commanding with everything Hibs threw into the box and were heavily involved in breaking the Gers out from the back of defence.
But alongside Souttar, Propper had a number of misplaced touches and there was a nervousness about how the Gers defended from open play at times.
Had Hibs not been so wasteful in front of goal, these two would be getting slaughtered come full-time.
Jefte – 8
Heading into the clash with Hibs there was plenty of talk surrounding the left-back berth and a return to the side for Brazilian left-back Jefte.
But it was yet another encouraging, if not wasteful, display from Jefte who continues to win fans with his relentless endeavour and on-ball quality.
Making two chances and eight passes into the final third, the ex-Fluminense talent is a positive and creative outlet on the left side of the park.
Still has work to do defensively but Rangers fans can be encouraged by the left-back's work-rate and quality.
Connor Barron – 7
In yet another impressive performance from Connor Barron, the Rangers midfielder is a disciplined player who is displaying expert timing in the middle of the park.
Snapping into challenges, breaking up play, fighting for the badge and playing those forward passes which break the lines, a dependable Barron performance is becoming a weekly guarantee.
Barron's been a revelation in the middle of the pitch and impressed again as Rangers edged out Hibs at Ibrox.
Coming deep to pick up the ball and springboard Rangers attacks, Barron is always a safe outlet for teammates and is increasingly crucial to how Philippe Clement wants the side to play.
Nicolas Raskin – 6
Still working his way back to full fitness, there's been much made about Nicolas Raskin at Rangers.
With the club beating off top opposition to sign the midfielder, the last 18 months have been defined by injury problems which have prevented Raskin from ever reaching his potential.
Philippe Clement rates the kid highly and gave him 45 minutes to impress at Ibrox.
Raskin made a superb recovery tackle in the first half and showed some brief flashes of his quality on the ball.
Tom Lawrence – 9
Tom Lawrence is a Rangers matchwinner and if the club do manage to come back in the Scottish Premiership, the Welshman will be central to it.
There have been persistent grumbles of discontent with the 30-year-old which stems from two seasons of bitterly frustrating injury problems which have held the ex-Derby captain back.
But this season Tom Lawrence is proving to be one of Philippe Clement's most important players and once again popped up when the club needed it.
A long-range stunner bent into the top corner in front of the Broomloan, Lawrence has that star quality and, whilst a turgid game also impacted Tom's creativity, it took a big moment to win a big game.
It's the second time already this season that Rangers have won a match 1-0 courtesy of a solitary Lawrence strike.
Vaclav Cerny – 5
Czech winger Vaclav Cerny started so brightly against Hibs at Ibrox.
The Wolfsburg loanee was twisting and turning out on the right, forcing the Hibs defence to backtrack and showing real menace in the final third.
But as the game progressed, the final moment continued to break down through Cerny who scuffed shots and just nervously lost control.
There is big quality in the winger but the final product must be polished before Rangers see it regularly.
Had a frustrating to and fro with fans before Philippe Clement took him off.
Ross McCausland – 6
Off the back of that heroic second strike in Malmo, Ross McCausland was given the opportunity to impress from the start for Rangers against Hibs.
Growing in confidence, the Northern Irish winger was never scared to carry the ball in the first-half and it was even McCausland's pass which set up Lawrence's stunner.
Showed real ingenuity and talent on the ball at times and is a better player than many at Ibrox are willing to give him credit for.
McCausland was hooked at halftime for Nedim Bajrami.
Hamza Igamane – 5
Hamza Igamane was given his first start at Ibrox after missing out in midweek against Malmo on Europa League duties due to visa issues.
Cyriel Dessers played the entire game in Sweden and was given 55 minutes to rest as Igamane competed against the physicality of Hibs' towering defence.
Showed good touches at times but this was a challenging game for Igamane to come into for a number of reasons.
Will have easier opportunities and still waiting for his first Rangers goal.
Substitutions
- Kieran Dowell (6) – Replaced Nicolas Raskin at half-time and put in a controlled if not uninspired display as Rangers struggled against Hibs in the second. Tidy on the ball and was disciplined in midfield, but will need to show more quality to get a longer run in the side.
- Nedim Bajrami (7) – Rangers' Albanian playmaker was once again asked to fill in at left-wing after replacing Ross McCausland at half-time. Done his job and made two clear cut chances for his teammates, including a gilt-edged opportunity which seen Cyriel Dessers thwarted by the Hibs goalkeeper.
- Cyriel Dessers (5) – Offered more in a hold-up sense than Hamza Igamane, who had started the second half with the momentum against him. Had a huge opportunity to make it 2-0 but somehow the back-post header was saved by the Hibs goalie.
- Dujon Sterling (5) – Came on for Vaclav Cerny to provide cover on the right-hand side for the final 15 minutes or so and was a useful outlet and carrier of the ball.
- Neraysho Kasanwirjo (4) – Deputised in midfield after coming on for Tom Lawrence. Versatile, powerful and comfortable.
