Rangers displayed their powers of recovery to sink Hibs 3-2 as looming free agent Alfredo Morelos gave Michael Beale the perfect Ibrox return.
If Steven Gerrard's trusted lieutenant was dreaming of a sedate Govan return then those hopes faded on an action-packed night at a frozen Ibrox. Ryan Porteous shut down any talk of a move to Ibrox before the game before hushing the home crowd with a bullet header in the eighth minute. Rangers were back level through Fashion Sakala before Kevin Nisbet scored 40 seconds later to restore his side's lead. A suitably Scottish Premiership turn of events.
Lee Johnson's side for long spells of the first half were in control and excelled on the counter-attack. But Ryan Jack's leveller from close range in the 58th minute was followed up Morelos' strike four minutes later eroded the newly-found confidence of the Edinburgh side where the drama was contained to the action on the pitch. A curveball appeared as soon as the game kicked off as Porteous grasped residency in the heart of the midfield. The Scotland international was tigerish in the tackle and followed that up his rousing start with the goal which stunned Ibrox into silence.
If Beale's calling card is tactics then he was forced into in an instant reshuffle as Lee Johnson's counter-attack approach based on going direct was causing strife to his patchwork backline marshalled by midfielders James Sands and John Lundstram. And it was man of the moment Porteous who was almost at the double with a looping effort which needed a smart save from Allan McGregor. A smattering of complaints over a potential penalty on Malik Tillman were waved away after VAR watched the replay.
Rangers were teetering but Sakala was on hand to soothe fears with a fizzing left-footed effort and his gee up routine appeared as much for the players as those punters who had made the trek to Ibrox. But any momentum evaporated as returning hero Nisbet capitalised on a moment of slapstick defending to fire past the on-rushing McGregor.
Rangers appeared leggy and their ponderous approach was never more evident in the opportunity which set Josh Campbell free. The dark blues were trundling behind the lively Hibs star as he watched his ambitious effort crack the outside of the post. The groans and guffaws which followed appeared to spark something within the Rangers players and it resulted in a sustained period of pressure for Beale's side.
While it was half chances and near misses at one end the visitors continued to fashion out big opportunities and Elie Youan was crestfallen as his one on one with McGregor resulted in the veteran keeper coming out on top as he hooked away the shot with his foot.
The second half started in a similar vein with the visitors brimming with belief on the back of their exploits in the opening 45 minutes. The home fans cried out for passion but were met with ponderous play up until Sakala's header from Adam Devine's pitching wedge cross from the left wing.
And growing agitation was washed away as Ryan Jack turned poacher with a much-needed equaliser. That appeared a defining moment and Rangers quickly reinforced their growing advantage as James Tavernier's curled through ball allowed Malik Tillman to show off his dancing feet before teeing up Morelos. Cue bedlam as a frustrating night turned on its head inside a rousing four minutes.
The newfound confidence in the home team was apparent in a free-flowing move which resulted in Steven Davis' effort being blocked by Paul Hanlon. And the earlier attacking approach from Hibs appeared to be fade after the strike from Morelos. It was the hosts who were happy to pile on the pressure with Ryan Kent and and new double act Morelos and Tillman looking for more goals.
A raft of late subs did little for the flow of the game but it was enough to see Rangers home as they started the Beale era with three points despite several frights along the way.
Here's 3 talking points from Ibrox
Mor, Mor, Mor
How do you like it, Rangers fans? Morelos was way off it once again until his game-changing strike appeared to have a transformative effect on his performance. His tap-in left Hibs dejected but his own game came to life upon his return to goalscoring form. The 26-year-old forged a blossoming partnership with Malik Tillman and the duo were integral to a dominant second half which left Hibs on the ropes. Antonio Colak's goal record is fearsome, however, glimpses of peak Morelos interchanging at the top end of the pitch offers hope for his manager that he can get the club's record European goalscorer back to his best. But the sand timer is turning on the man heading into the final six months of his deal.
Port of call
It looked set to be grand night's work for the looming free agent who is set to become his own kingmaker. The 23-year-old will move on from Hibs but Porteous turned heads with his mature explanation on the reasons why his lifelong Easter Road love affair was nearing the final chapter. The broadening of one of the Scottish Premiership''s most compelling characters was evident on the pitch as he excelled in a new holding midfield role. And his stock continued to soar with the opener. He loves the spotlight and it's evident he's yearning for something more. The expectation is there will be an English Championship auction to secure his signature, however, on this form you can't rule out bigger names considering a move.
A madcap return for Mick
The pre-match roar from the home supporters sparked by a mass flare display quickly dulled when the action got underway. Beale's desire to seek the Rangers vacancy underlines his belief in the long-term project, however, the same crisis of confidence which engulfed the squad in Van Bronckhorst's final days certainly hasn't been fully overcome. You can credit Hibs' early endeavours for that, of course, but the swagger Rangers punters expected was absent before the comeback. Beale has been keen to get everyone onside but is keenly aware soundbites and a return to club traditions fade into the background unless the results are coming. And that they did bodes well on the back of a strong second half.
