Rangers vs Hibs: Five things we learned as Steven Gerrard's side pick up crucial victory at Ibrox

There is a steel about Rangers that has been badly lacking in recent seasons with the Ibrox side capable of seeing out games, like this one against Hibs, where they would have slipped up previously and offered encouragement to those trying to better them. This performance against Jack Ross’ side was uncomfortable at times as the Easter Road side showed a pluckiness in the second period but having seen it out without losing ground, there is an affirmation that Steven Gerrard’s side have it in them to go the distance without crumbling under pressure. Having looked fairly comfortable in the opening period when a moment of inspiration from Ianis Hagi gave Rangers the lead, there was a more robust examination in the second-half as Hibs tried to force their way back into the game. Here are five things we learned in wild conditions at the weekend: 

There may be a source of interest over the next few weeks as Rangers have to cope without key players. There was a fresh injury headache on Saturday when the experienced Scott Arfield had to be helped off the pitch after landing awkwardly when he came out of a tackle. With Ryan Jack also causing some frustration given his ongoing knee problem that has further set him back, Rangers will have to cope without the loss of players who have been pivotal to the manner in which they have taken the campaign by the scruff of the neck this term. Jack had originally been expected to be back on the pitch for the first time since going off against Aberdeen at the end of November for the game against Hibs but his issue is such that there is now no time frame for his return. It is a blow for Gerrard given the performances of the Scotland internationalist this term. 

All Championship winning teams make their own luck. It is with some justification that Hibs will have felt aggrieved as they made their journey along the M8 with nothing to show for their efforts given that their penalty shout when Hagi’s scissor-kick was high enough to warrant a call for dangerous play. The penalty was not given and Rangers saw the game out to record their 12 consecutive Premiership win. If there is a feeling that they got the rub of the green on Saturday to come out of the affair with all three points, there is also the feeling that teams with momentum at their back tend to prevail when questions are asked of them. The sheer consistency that they have shown this season would suggest this is a team who are entitled to feel they have the bit between their teeth when it comes to their title ambitions.  

Rangers’ area of vulnerability is the fullback positions. Hibs manager Jack Ross deployed youngster Josh Doig as a left full-back with the teenager given the task not only of keeping tabs on the roving runs of James Tavernier but in getting in behind him. It was a tactic that almost brought an immediate reward in the opening stages of the game when he successfully stole in at the back of the Rangers captain and sent an arching ball to the backpost that Martin Boyle just missed connecting with. In recent games Dundee United, Motherwell and St Mirren have all discovered that getting in behind two fullbacks who like to play high up the pitch can offer a means of penetration. Tavernier in particular has been a menace in terms of his attacking threat to teams this season but defensively there is an area to exploit. 

Alfredo Morelos looks like a player shorn of some confidence. The Colombian striker had a glorious chance to put the game to bed once and for all in the closing minutes just as Hibs were committed to eeking out a leveller. Having come off the bench, Morelos ought to have made his mark on the game when he bounded clear but could only aim his shot straight into the body of Dillon Barnes, the on-loan QPR goalkeeper who had started the game in place of the injured Ofir Marciano. Morelos has not scored since his goal against Benfica at the beginning of November.  

Allan McGregor remains a key performer for the Ibrox side. McGregor did not have too much to do against Hibs but one decent save in the second period to deny Melker Hallberg showed he can have little involvement in the play in front of him and then pop up with the crucial save. The experienced goalkeeper is also fairly vocal at encouraging those in front of him about what needs to be done throughout the course of the 90-minutes.