MX23RW : Friday, December 13 11:25:43| >> :120:38390:38390:
[monks data]
Rangers logo
Scottish Championship
Feb 13, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Hibs logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Robertson (19'), Stevenson (82')

Preview: Rangers vs. Hibernian

Sports Mole previews the Scottish Championship clash between Rangers and Hibernian at Ibrox, with the two teams separated by only one point near the top of the table.

Rangers return to Scottish Championship action for the first time in over a month when they host close rivals Hibernian on Friday evening.

The Gers have suffered two damaging cup defeats since beating Alloa Athletic 1-0 in their last league match on January 10.

The Blue side of Glasgow lost the first Old Firm derby in three years as Celtic pipped them to the Scottish League Cup final, while their hopes of Scottish Cup success were surprisingly ended by Raith Rovers last weekend.

Caretaker boss Kenny McDowall was forced to apologise for the result and is still feeling the effects.

Captain Lee McCulloch has been handed a two-game ban for allegedly stamping on Raith forward Dale Carrick deliberately, although he has contested the charge and will learn his fate at a hearing on Thursday.

Darren McGregor could replace him in the Rangers defence, with Newcastle United loanees Remie Streete and Haris Vuckic continuing in the team and being joined by fellow Magpie Shane Ferguson on the left wing.

Gael Bigirimana, and Kevin Mbabu also swapped St James' Park for Scotland as part of Mike Ashley's deadline-day reshuffle, but may be left out again, despite instructions from Tyneside that they must play.

During their time of non-activity in the league, leaders Hearts have opened up a mammoth 19-point gap on Rangers at the top of the table and Hibernian have closed to within one point of them in third.

An eight-game unbeaten run, which includes a 4-0 thrashing of the Gers at Easter Road in December, has compensated for a slow start to the season, although Rangers have three games in hand on both of the Edinburgh clubs.

Manager Alan Stubbs may only make one change to the team which beat Arbroath 3-1 in the Scottish Cup, with Congolese striker Dominique Malonga back from the Africa Cup of Nations and poised for a recall.

Former Wigan Athletic midfielder Fraser Fyvie should make his league debut after signing on a free transfer.

Rangers:

Form in Scottish Championship: WLWLWW
Form in all competitions: WLWWLL

Possible starting lineup: Simonsen; Foster, Streete, McGregor, Wallace; Vuckic, Hutton, Law, Ferguson; Miller, Daly

Hibernian:

Form in Scottish Championship: WDDWWD
Form in all competitions: DDWWDW

Possible starting lineup: Oxley; Gray, Hanlon, Fontaine; Robertson, Craig, Stevenson, Allan, Fyvie; Malonga, Cummings

Sports Mole says: 2-2


ID:204848: cacheID:204848:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5830:
Written by
Joe Fish
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Derek Llambias looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park on May 19, 2013
Read Next:
Llambias: 'Board not picking Rangers team'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd156632215724
5Motherwell157171823-522
6Dundee165472729-219
7St Mirren165381926-718
8Ross County163671230-1815
9St Johnstone1642101829-1114
10Kilmarnock163581734-1714
11Hearts163491825-713
12Hibernian162681828-1012


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!