Rangers will play their first Scottish Premiership game in over a month when they face Hibernian on Thursday night
After a 1-1 draw against St. Mirren in Rangers' last outing, Giovanni van Bronckhorst was sacked as Ibrox boss, with Michael Beale returning to the Light Blues as his replacement after serving as Steven Gerrard's assistant manager in the past. With the 2022 World Cup falling between November and December, the Scottish Premiership season was paused, with the Gers sitting nine points behind league leaders, Celtic.
Beale has had a pre-season time period to work with the majority of his squad to prepare for their return to action, and the 42-year-old will make his competitive managerial debut with the Light Blues on Thursday against Hibs. A 93rd-minute strike from Josh Campbell held Rangers to a 2-2 draw in the last meeting between the two sides, but Beale has provided a big boost ahead of the clash.
READ MORE: Michael Beale delivers Rangers injury update on Goldson, Davies, Lawrence and Souttar ahead of Hibs
Connor Goldson has returned to training, with Beale confirming the defender is available for selection after a spell on the sidelines. "Both Goldson and [Ben] Davies trained this week. "They are not 100 percent for the game but it is just now about getting them ready for 90 minutes."
Pressed if they will be in the squad, he added: "They are available for selection, both of them."
So, could Rangers pick up a win against Hibernian on Thursday night? We used FIFA 23 to try and predict the score. To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the Rangers squad with the latest injuries and suspensions.
Rangers vs Hibernian score predicted by simulation
We predict that Rangers could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, King, Devine; Kamara, Jack, Tillman; Matondo, Morelos, Kent.
We predict that the visitors could set up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Marshall; Bushiri, Porteous, Hanlon; Cadden, Newell, Kenneh, Magennis, Cabraja; Nisbet, Melkersen.
Rangers started on top under the lights at the Ibrox, with Malik Tillman creating some fantastic chances from his advanced midfield role. The Bayern Munich loanee was on top form, and he managed to help the Gers go ahead after 11 minutes when Alfredo Morelos fired home.
Malik received the ball from Glen Kamara with his back to goal, and a smart flick took the ball away from his marker as he broke towards the box. With a sight of goal, the striker was quickly closed down by the Hibs defence to prevent a shot, but the American smartly played the ball into Morelos, and the striker curled the ball around the 'keeper to make it 1-0.
It was a fantastic start to the game for the Light Blues, with Goldson's reintroduction tightening up the back line. Chances kept coming for Beale's side, and two goals in the space of four minutes saw Rangers go 3-0 up on 34 minutes.
The first goal was the best of the two, with Ryan Jack picking up the ball around 20 yards out and firing a powerful effort into the top corner of the net. The pressure was relentless from the Gers, and Jack's midfield partner Kamara got on the scoresheet moments later with a fantastic header at the back post from Ryan Kent's cross.
After 44 minutes, Rangers had managed seven shots to Hibs' zero, and just before the break, Tillman topped off an incredible first-half display with a goal to send his side into the break four goals to the good. The Hibs midfield were struggling to contain Tillman's movement, and the midfielder broke away from his marker with ease to find a great position inside the box.
Kent spotted the run of the 20-year-old, and his driven cross into the front post was swept into the far corner by Tillman to make it 4-0. With such a dominant lead, the Gers took their foot off the gas in the second half, and a lack of attacking threat from the visitors saw Beale secure an impressive 4-0 win in his first game as Rangers manager.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: Rangers 4-0 Hibernian
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 23 predicts that an outstanding display could hand Rangers a comfortable victory on Thursday, with the Light Blues winning 4-0 in the simulation. Morelos, Tillman and Kamara were standouts in what would be the ideal start to life at the Ibrox for Beale.
What do you think the score will be between Rangers and Hibernian on Thursday? Let us know in the comments!
READ NEXT:
- Michael Beale on Glen Kamara Rangers transfer speculation as he makes 'too good' claim
- Rangers 'not as good' as Celtic claims Lee Johnson as Hibs boss fires Michael Beale warning
- Nathan Patterson in 'unfinished business' Rangers confession as he declares 'love' for Ibrox side
- Leon King gives early Rangers insight into life under Michael Beale as he hails 'amazing' start
- Michael Beale in major Rangers injury update as he reacts to Bayer Leverkusen success
