Sure, yesterday was disappointing, and a significant blip, but overlooking the performance and outcome of this one, Rangers’ form and consistency this season has been impressive, and one thing most fans have ignored and possibly aren’t even aware of is just how good Hibs are defensively.
Prior to yesterday, Hibs hadn’t conceded a single goal from open play this whole season – two penalties and one free kick was all they’d had to ship since the campaign started.
Even Rangers’ first goal was another setpiece, a corner from Kent slammed home (eventually) by Alfredo Morelos.
It wasn’t till Scott Arfield’s finish deep in the second half that Hibernian’s watertight defence finally caved and conceded a goal from open play for the first time this season.
Sure, Rangers lost our clean sheet record, and that was very disappointing, but we breached a rearguard that’s been resolute against Aberdeen, Motherwell, Livi and Killie to name just four when it comes to open play.
Are we saying this makes the dropped points ok? No, we’re not. But it does add a little context to exactly what we were up against in Scotland’s second best defence to us only.
What are we trying to say?
Let’s not beat the side and manager up too much over this. It was a bum afternoon and we learn from it.
But it’s not as black and white as just failing v Hibs like some of our doomsayers would want you to believe.
The first goal never came from a corner. It was Kent coming down the right wing that got the goal. Not that it makes any difference to your article.
Hibs are a decent side and definitely a step up from any SPL team we’ve faced this season. We should’ve won and didn’t but better teams than this one have dropped points at Easter Road.
I thought the most remarkable stat from Sunday was that Rangers are 18 games unbeaten at Easter Road.
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