10 things we learned against Hibs

Today’s loss to Hibs was as disappointing as any loss Rangers have suffered recently. While few would argue the home side was atrocious, there was definitely a lot to ponder following the 1-2 reverse. Ibrox Noise takes you through some things we noted following the 90 minutes in Govan.

1: Alfredo Morelos’ head has definitely been turned. He was sluggish, angry, and while his ‘goal’ was a fairly well taken header and confusion reigns over the reasons for its disallowal, nevertheless something was not right with the Colombian. We have had mixed messages from the player and the club following these big money bids, and you would have to say once this path is tread it is very difficult to prevent the inevitable.

2: Graeme Murty really struggles against Neil Lennon. While the Rangers boss has the number of Derek McInnes and by some distance, by contrast the former Parkhead icon seems to know how to get results from Rangers these days. Murty did manage a staggering 3 points in Edinburgh but completely against the run of play. Today Rangers were left short for the second time against Lennon’s lot this season, and we cannot pin it on a silly red card this time.

3: Our manager needs to learn to change the system when it is not working. We know Murty loves his 4-2-3-1 but today it did not reap rewards and he stuck with it for the full 90. While substitute Jason Cummings did get forward late on as an attempted partnership with Morelos, he spent more time sitting in the three behind the Colombian. That formation has worked in recent weeks but Lennon clearly did his homework and Murty had no answer.

4: Wes Foderingham should have done a tonne better with both goals. While McGinn’s strike was powerful, a top class shot stopper would have anticipated and got to it. Fair enough if the thing exosetted into the top corner, but it was a daisy cutter. Meanwhile the penalty was far from the best strike but it squirmed in off the goalie. Not his finest 90 for someone many cite shot stopping as his best asset.

5: Jamie Murphy started to show why we worked doggedly to secure him. A load of work in both halves, covering superbly for the frequently out of position Declan John, Murphy also caused real havoc in the opposing half and was by an absolute mile our best player. Really pleasing display from the winger.

6: While Rangers’ favourite opponent Scott Allan did make the most of Tavernier’s challenge, Rangers’ number 2 showed unbelievable naïveté to make such a crude attempt in the box. The Englishman’s defending is patchy at times and today it cost us two points.

7: Russell Martin is looking a very solid defender indeed – he is leading the line well, and Rangers look just a little less vulnerable with him steering the rearguard. He could be a fine example for young Bates to look up to and learn from.

8: Sean Goss’ left peg really is potent – we have enjoyed his range of passing and one raking inswinger to Jamie Murphy was borderline astonishing. His goal was also outstanding. If he was able to dictate the midfield as effectively as a Barry Ferguson type he would be the complete midfield general.

9: You will not get a match-winning display from Josh Windass every time and he still gives the impression of playing the game for himself. Murty has complained many times of his poor decision making, and today was an example of it, till he disappeared entirely.

10: It is time for Murty to start fully using his January signings. Rangers were terrible in Dingwall, mortifying at Bellslea (despite both results), and weak again today. One wonders just how much of that is failure to deploy all the new lads. It is about bedding them in, to an extent, but at the end of the day you should play the best players you have. We remain mystified as to why Docherty and Cummings remain benched in particular. Neither came to Ibrox to sit on the sidelines.

All in all, Lennon got what he came to Ibrox for; another three points. Rangers simply did not have the answers. The excellent display v McInnes’ Aberdeen feels a long time ago already, and while we praised Murty for gritting out the results when not playing well, therein lies the rub – you must grit the result out. As soon as you fail to do so, the fare itself can be legitimately criticised.

On-form Partick Thistle are next, with only Celtic and Aberdeen able to take wins from them in recent times. With the East End shower dropping 3 big points to equally in form Killie, today was a critical chance to make up some of the difference, albeit second placed Aberdeen won so no ground would have been closed to them. Nevertheless, anything other than 3 points from Firhill would be another damaging blow to the creeping momentum we were feeling after Fraserburgh.

We hope for a much more positive outcome.