Scottish Championship
Aug 23, 2015 12.30pm
1
0
HT : 0 0
FT
  • Danny Wilson 62' yellowcard
  • James Tavernier 65' goal
  • Nicky Law 78' yellowcard
  • yellowcard John McGinn 45'
  • yellowcard Fraser Fyvie 58'
  • yellowcard Lewis Stevenson 82'

Live Commentary: Rangers 1-0 Hibernian - as it happened

Rangers 1-0 Hibernian - as it happened

Promotion hopefuls Rangers and Hibernian met at Ibrox in the Scottish Championship on Sunday afternoon in a hard-fought encounter.

Neither side could break the deadlock in the first half, but a blistering free kick from James Tavernier decided the match in the second period.

A 1-0 win for Rangers moved them to the top of the table, above Queen of the South on goal difference, while Hibs remain in sixth place.

Find out how all of the action unfolded with our minute-by-minute text commentary below.

2.29pmAnd that's all we have time for at Ibox, but you find a summary of the 90 minutes in our match report here. Many thanks for joining us for this Scottish Championship clash.

2.27pmThat result puts Rangers top of the pile in the Scottish Championship. Queen of the South are the only other side with three wins out of three, but the Gers have a superior goal difference. Hibs remain in sixth place.

2.25pmAnd there we have it, Mark Warburton still has a 100% record in charge of Rangers as the Gers see out the match. Hibs put up a good fight and are unlucky to come away with nothing, but that Tavernier free kick was a worthy match-winner!

90+4 minFULL TIME: Rangers 1-0 Hibernian

90+4 minTavernier belts a free kick into the stand with what looks like the last action of this match. That was a far cry from his earlier effort that almost tore out the goal net!

90+3 minIt's been a valiant effort from Hibs, but it looks like they are going to leave Ibrox empty-handed.

90 minThere will be four minutes of stoppage time to play, and Hibs look determined to hit Rangers with the kitchen sink during that time. Stanton plays a ball into the area towards Stevenson, but it falls awkwardly for him and he fails to get a shot away.

87 minHibs have provided stern opposition for Rangers today, but Warburton's much-improved Gers continue progress as a unit. This will be a big result for a team that look destined for the Scottish Premiership next term, based on the early evidence at least.

83 minSUBSTITUTION: Kenny Miller's afternoon ends early as Nicky Clark comes on to replace him for the final seven minutes.

82 minBOOKING! Tensions are boiling over now as Lewis Stevenson picks up a yellow for a needless foul on Waghorn as the Rangers striker attempted to shake him off with a quick turn.

80 minThe action continues at a frantic pace as half-chances fall at both ends. Nathan Oduwa shoots narrowly wide from outside the box at one end of the park, before Fyvie leaps high to meet a free kick at the other, only to miss the ball and watch it drift out of play.

78 minBOOKING! Two players from each side have gone into the book now as Nicky Law is penalised for a foul.

77 minSUBSTITUTION: Hibs make a change up front, throwing on Dominique Malonga for Daniel Carmichael as they go in search of an equaliser.

75 minSHOT! Impressive counter-attacking play from Rangers as they attempt to hit Hibs with a suckpunch, but Oxley snuffs out the danger by keeping out Wallace at his near post.

74 minThere's a breakdown in communication in the Rangers defence and Cummings almost capitalises as he races clean through on goal, only to be stopped in his tracks by an offside flag.

70 minHalf-chance for Rangers, who have kept Hibs under the cosh since taking the lead. Goalscorer Tavernier and Waghorn combine to carve out a chance for Law, but he fails to get a shot away.

68 minSUBSTITUTION: Jason Holt comes off and is replaced by Dean Shiels as Rangers make a like-for-like change in midfield.

67 minCHANCE! Liam Henderson blows another chance for Hibs after being picked out by Carmichael in front of goal. He drags his shot wide of the target - not as glaring a miss as his previous sitter, but it's clear the Celtic loanee is feeling the pressure at Ibrox.

65 minRangers take the lead through a stunning free kick from James Tavernier! We all know he can hit them, but he really outdid himself with this one. The former Wigan man hits a rocket straight into the top corner from an acute angle, leaving Oxley with absolutely no chance!

65 minGOAL! Rangers 1-0 Hibernian (James Tavernier)

64 minMISS! Hibs should be a goal to the good! Cummings cuts the Gers defence in two and picks out Henderson in front of goal, but the Celtic loanee loses his bottle and fires over with only Foderingham to beat!

63 minCHANCE! Hibs come close from the resulting free kick, which Fontaine gets his head to at the far post, forcing Foderingham into a reaction save. Good hands from the Rangers goalkeeper!

62 minBOOKING! Danny Wilson is the first Rangers man to enter the notebook for a late challenge on McGinn as Hibs attempt to break quickly.

60 minCould Oduwa be the man to force a breakthrough here? He certainly showed off some silky skills during Rangers' win at Alloa Athletic, although some accused him of showboating. This could be a good opportunity to silence those critics.

59 minSUBSTITUTION: Rangers bring on Tottenham Hotspur loanee Nathan Oduwa to replace Barrie McKay. Both players are given a good reception from the home crowd.

57 minRangers skipper Lee Wallace is back on his feet after receiving treatment on the sidelines following that collision with Fontaine. Fyvie is booked for clattering into Law moments later.

54 minIt's a poor free kick from Halliday, played low straight to the feet of Stevenson, who clears his lines.

52 minGood pressure from Rangers, who force their eighth corner of the match when Waghorn's cross is deflected behind. They can't do anything with the corner but win a free kick in a dangerous position moments later as Fontaine cuts down Wallace, who looks in some pain following that challenge.

50 minSUBSTITUTION: Hibs bring on McGeouch to face his former club. He replaces Gray, who I think has taken a knock.

48 minGREAT SAVE! Oxley produces a wonderful save to prevent Holt from giving the Gers the lead. Law supplied the cross and Holt took it on the volley, his effort taking a deflection off Fontaine on its way towards the bottom corner. Oxley tips it behind at full stretch!

47 minRangers are quick off the starting blocks in the second half, going straight on the attack through Wallace, who is stopped in his tracks by a well-time challenge from Hanlon inside the area.

46 minKICK OFF: We're back under way at Ibrox!

1.32pmIf you've just joined us, you can get yourself up to speed with all of the action from the opening 45 minutes with our half-time report here.

1.29pmI think Alan Stubbs will be the happier of the two managers at the break. It's not easy playing in front of almost 50,000 Rangers fans, but the Edinburgh outfit have more than held their own. This could very easily go either way in the second period.

1.24pmRangers claimed 57% of the possession during the first period, but that tells only half the story as Hibs created the better chances. The visitors have had more of them, too - five to Rangers' four. Here's a breakdown of the stats from the first half:

1.21pmIt's been a good open game here in Glasgow, with both side producing goalscoring opportunities and defending well. Cummings has been a threat for Hibs as an effective target man, while Rangers have worked well as a unit across the pitch.

45+1 minHALF TIME: Rangers 0-0 Hibs

45 minBOOKING! McGinn is the first man in the book for a foul on Law in the centre of the park.

44 minCHANCE! End-to-end stuff now as Boyle's cross falls kindly for Cummings inside the Rangers box, forcing Foderingham to race off his line and produce a vital block. Both sides are riding their luck in the dying stages of the first half.

43 minCHANCE! Great defending from Hibs keeps Rangers out again! First Hanlon does well to put Wallace's low cross behind for a corner, then Gray hacks an angled shot from Waghorn off the line!

40 minAll that we are missing is a goal here - the deadlock remains intact thanks to some strong defending at both ends of the park. The Gers rear guard has really tightened up under Warburton, with Wallace and Wilson impressing this afternoon.

36 minHalf-chance for Hibs as they force Rangers onto the back foot with some neat counter-attacking play. The move ends when Boyle lets fly from outside of the box, his effort sailing wide of Foderingham's post.

33 minHere's Jason Holt in action for Rangers. He's proved to be one of their greatest threats in the first half, terrorising Hibs along the right flank:

31 minIt's been an open game here at Ibrox, with chances falling at both ends. Hibs venture forward as Cummings attempts to split the Rangers defence in two with a through-ball to Carmichael, but an offside flag halts their advance.

28 minThe hosts are back in the front foot as Waghorn forces Hanlon into conceding a corner. The attack breaks down when Holt's long-range effort is calmly collected by Oxley in the Hibs goal.

24 minAlan Stubbs's side have really grown into this match and been dominant for the last 10 minutes. After a bright start, Rangers are spending more time than they would like inside their own half.

21 minCHANCE! Hibs have another chance to take the lead as Carmichael's deflected effort falls invitingly for Cummings to volley inside the six-yard box, but he mis-kicks under pressure from Wallace. That was the chance of the game so far!

19 minGood play by Jason Holt along the right flank. The former Hearts man floats a dangerous ball into the centre of the penalty area, which Hanlon scrambles clear. More impressive defending from Hibernian.

17 minCHANCES! This game is opening up now. A terrible error by Foderingham gifts the ball to Boyle in the Gers box, but Wallace races back and produces a vital interception to prevent Hibs from opening the scoring. Moments later, Rangers launch a swift counter which ends with a blistering strike from Wallace that whizzes wide of the target.

15 minRangers have done most of the pressing so far but you have to give Hibs credit for the way they have defended. David Gray has been particularly solid for the visitors, who look capable of hitting the Gers on the break with Cummings leading the charge.

12 minCHANCE! More Rangers pressure as Tavernier picks out Miller with a throw-in and the experienced striker forces a corner as his cut-back is deflected behind. McKay takes the corner and finds the head of the unmarked Waghorn, but he puts it over. He should have done better!

10 minCHANCE! Hesitant play from Oxley in the Hibs goal gifts possession to Waghorn in the penalty area. He picks out McKay, but the midfielder fails to get his shot away and it remains goalless after 10 minutes.

8 minGood play from Cummings puts the Gers under pressure. The Hibs striker gains possession in the area following a throw-in and uses his strength to hold off his marker before playing a low ball across the face of Foderingham's goal, which the Rangers keeper gratefully scoops up.

6 minRangers win a corner as David Gray beats Barry McKay to a cross and heads it behind. Rangers squander the corner and Hibs look to break at pace, but Lee Wallace tracks back and snuffs out the danger.

3 minHibs have the chance to attack as the referee awards them a free kick around 35 yards from goal for a Kiernan foul on Cummings. Cummings steps up to take the set piece himself, only to blaze his effort well over the bar to ironic cheers from the home support.

2 minRangers make an early statement of intent as former Hearts man Danny Wilson plays a long ball into the final third towards Nicky Law, but the defender puts too much on the cross and it goes out for a throw.

1 minKICKOFF! The match is under way here at Ibrox. Rangers, in their blue and white strip, are kicking from right to left in the first period.

12.29pmThe two teams are heading out onto the pitch now. An electric atmosphere is building around the sold-out Ibrox - this is the second-biggest crowd in British football behind Manchester United this weekend!

12.23pmPREDICTION: With seven minutes to go until kickoff, there's just enough time to give you my full-time prediction. I'm going with a 2-0 win for the hosts. Hibs have proven tough opposition for the Gers in the past, but defeating them at home under Warburton is a much taller order.

12.21pmGERS KEEPER WES FODERINGHAM: "It's probably the biggest game of the season so far. But I don't think it will be season-defining if I'm honest. Whatever the game, whoever the opposition are, we go out with the same enthusiasm, the same ideas and the same work-rate. We've been praised for that already and I'm sure it'll be the same on Sunday and hopefully we can get a good result."

12.21pmALAN STUBBS: "It's going to be a great game no matter what. You've got two teams who have got aspirations to do really well this season and try and win the league. The game certainly doesn't need added spice because it's going to be a good game anyway."

12.20pmSome pre-match quotes from each camp coming up...

12.18pmThey have a decent record at Ibrox, beating the Gers here twice last season, but were unable to do so when it really counted in the promotion playoffs. Nevertheless, Stubbs can take heart from the fact that Hibs have proven capable of beating anybody at this level.

12.16pmHibs have made something of an indifferent start to the new campaign, having finished the previous season in good form. After crashing out of the Challenge Cup to Rangers, Alan Stubbs's side lost their opening league match to Dumbarton before putting some points on the board at home to Morton. Even at this early stage of the season, getting a result here could be vital to their promotion bid.

12.14pmA win today could move them above Scottish Championship leaders Queen of the South - who have won three out of three so far - on goal difference.

12.13pmRangers have a 100% record to maintain today, with former Brentford boss Mark Warburton having rejuvenated the club since taking the helm. They have already beaten Hibs here this season, thrashing the Edinburgh outfit 6-2 in the Challenge Cup.

12.10pmHere are the scenes outside of Ibox ahead of kickoff. We can expect a packed-out stadium and a raucous atmosphere in Glasgow today.

12.07pmHibs headed into the match with an unchanged squad from last weekend's win over Greenock Morton, with James Keatings, Farid El Alagui and Jordon Forster still sidelined. Dylan McGeouch (below) has been benched for the trip to his former club, while Jason Cummings provides the danger up front.

12.02pmRangers have recalled their big guns following the 2-0 away win at Ayr United in the Petrofac Training Cup. Kenny Miller and Martyn Waghorn will lead the attack, while Rob Kiernan, Andy Halliday and Nicky Law (below) all have places in the starting XI.

12.01pmHIBS: Oxley, Gray, Hanlon, Fontaine, Stevenson, Fyvie, McGinn, Henderson, Carmichael, Boyle, Cummings

12.01pmRANGERS: Foderingham, Taverier, Wilson, Kiernan, Wallace, Halliday, Law, Holt, McKay, Miler, Waghorn

11.59amGood afternoon and welcome to our live text coverage of the Scottish Championship clash between Rangers and Hibernian. Games at this level don't come much bigger as two promotion rivals prepare to do battle at Ibrox. Team news incoming...
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