Rampant Rangers came from behind to produce one of their best displays of the season and beat Hibs 4-1 to make it eight league wins on the spin on an emotionally charged night at Easter Road.
The home side paid tribute to late owner Ron Gordon but couldn’t live with Michael Beale’s men as he chalked up 100 days in charge at Ibrox in fine style to keep the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership to nine points to leaders Celtic.
It was a set-back for Hibs who were seven unbeaten in the league but Lee Johnson could have no complaints over the result with the Light Blues far superior on the night. Connor Goldson’s own goal was cancelled out by a James Tavernier penalty - given after a VAR check - for the visitors before Antonio Colak repaid Beale for starting him ahead of Alfredo Morelos by firing them in front with his first league goal in more than four months. Fashion Sakala netted before Colak completed his brace.
It was an emotionally charged evening in Leith and once Don Robertson blew his whistle it was a frantic start with two goals coming in the opening 12 minutes. Hibs struck first as they capitalised on some woeful defending from the visitors.
Ewan Henderson floated in a free kick deep to the back post which was knocked across the face of goal by Matthew Hoppe and the unfortunate Goldson put it into his own net. It was the last thing the Light Blues needed on a night when the players didn’t need any extra help in their bid for three points.
But Gers did recover from that early set-back and were level within just four minutes of conceding. Ryan Kent knocked the ball past CJ Egan-Riley as he made his way into the box and the on-loan Burnley man’s trailing leg caught the winger’s foot as he went to ground.
Whistler Robertson was referred to the monitor by David Dickinson at Clydesdale House and had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Tavernier and made no mistake as he despatched his effort beyond David Marshall.
Kent looked in the mood and volleyed into the arms of Marshall before Chris Cadden made a brilliant tackle to deny the former Liverpool man as he was about to pull the trigger inside the box. Colak then sent an effort over the crossbar.
The visitors started to get a foothold in the game and Marshall pulled off a superb save to deny Borna Barisic from the Croatian’s volleyed effort after Todd Cantwell did well to pick him out. But the veteran shot-stopper could to little about Barisic’s compatriot opening the scoring as he turned the ball home to give Gers the lead after fine play from Sakala.
The Zambian then went from provider to scorer as Gers extended their lead after the break - with a little help from their hosts. Marshall was poor with a kickout from a passbook which he sent straight to Ryan Jack and the midfielder cushioned a header into Sakala’s path and he made no mistake with the finish.
There was no stopping Rangers and Colak grabbed his second of the night as the Hibs defence just stood off the visitors after they kept a Barisic cross alive inside the box and the Croat slotted it home. Luckily for Hibs it didn’t get worse when Sakala had the ball in the net - only for the offside flag to cut his celebrations short. But it was a fine night's work with Beale afforded the luxury of making five changes late on. Here’s three talking points from Leith:
Beale gets complete performance
This is the 90-minute display the Light Blues had been looking for under Michael Beale as he celebrated his 100th day in charge with perhaps the best performance yet of his reign.
He had top performers all over the back and were controlled even after losing that early goal. Ryan Jack, Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell all worked well in the engine room, Fashion Sakala was a constant threat to Hibs and Antonio Colak was clinical up top. It’s now 15 wins from 17 matches in charge for Beale and even if this title has gone, there are definitely signs they can mount a challenge next season.
Good Col
Some of Michael Beale’s team selections have been questioned - particularly his Viaplay Cup final starting XI - and a few eyebrows were probably raised when Antonio Colak started ahead of Alfredo Morelos. Beale talked up Colak’s performance in the home win over Kilmarnock but this was a different type of test, especially considering the Croat hadn’t netted a league goal since the end of October. But he justified his selection with a well-taken goal to put Rangers 2-1 ahead and he was a constant danger, grabbing his second after the break. He’s now top scorer for the season as he jumped ahead of James Tavernier and with Alfredo Morelos looking more likely to head for the exit then maybe this was Beale looking to the future.
Fitting Gordon tribute
Lee Johnson’s players desperately wanted to get the win on a night they paid tribute to Ron Gordon and while they didn’t get that, the club and fans can be proud of their effort.
After an emotional memorial on the eve of the game, the Easter Road side had their first chance to to show their appreciation for the 68-year-old who lost his battle with cancer last month. Club favourite Sunshine on Leith blared out before kick off and the fans joined in, scarves held high and it was an impressive sight on an emotional night with an applause on the 68th minute.
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