On nights like this, it’s hard to grasp the logic behind Rangers selling Ridvan Yilmaz in the current transfer window.
A target for Galatasaray, the Turkish left-back might rake in a few quid they can reinvest in Mohamed Diomande. However, his improvement under Philippe Clement suggests they would obtain more value by keeping him.
When Clement took charge of Rangers, the Belgian’s debut ended in a comfortable 4-0 win over a porous Hibs at Ibrox. Only an offside flag against Tom Lawrence with five minutes to play prevented lightning striking twice.
Heading to Easter Road, the news of Abdallah Sima’s operation and a two to three month absence raised an obvious question. Where would the goals come from?
The answer came from an unlikely source after half an hour. A wonderful lofted ball over the top of the Hibs defence from the much improved John Lundstram sent Yilmaz in on goal. The No 3 showed why he is now first choice ahead of Borna Barisic when he steadied himself to lash the ball into the net from close range past David Marshall.
Sub Cyriel Dessers flicked the ball into the bottom corner of the net for Rangers’ third goal
Nick Montgomery’s commitment to his football principles is admirable, but futile in games like this. The pre-match Hibs optimism which accompanied the signing of debutant Myziane Maolida, Emiliano Marcondes and Luke Amos was dimmed no end by a second Rangers goal before half-time.
Todd Cantwell’s superb strike flew past Marshall during three minutes of added time at the end of the first half, and the latest meeting of these sides ended like so many meetings before. With a Rangers victory which narrowed the gap on arch rivals Celtic to five points with a game in hand.
Injured while playing for Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, Sima’s absence was less damaging than feared. A terrific signing since pitching up from Brighton on loan, the striker will spend the next couple of months recovering from a thigh injury. Asking new signing Fabio Silva to lead the line at Easter Road, Rangers found a way to make do and mend.
Hibs had good cause to curse the general excellence of goalkeeper Jack Butland. So many do.
At 2-0 down, the Easter Road side had a huge opportunity to make a game of things early in the second half when Elie Youan’s surging run down the right flank teed up an outstanding chance for Maolida to score on his Hibs debut. Butland did what Butland…