KENT CATCH ME

Ryan and Gers make it 17 straight wins on home soil in league title procession

THE stands may be empty but Ibrox remains a fortress for Rangers. Another week, another win, another step towards an unbeaten league campaign.

It was business as usual in Govan yesterday. Steven Gerrard’s men might be on their victory lap but they are refusing to canter towards the finishing line.

Hibs asked them as many questions as any side heading to Glasgow’s south side this season, with Kevin Nisbet’s late goal making it an interesting closing spell.

But Rangers produced two moments of the quality that’s made them a cut above the rest this year.

Joe Aribo’s all-action display was capped by a thudding first-half volley for the opener before Ryan Kent grabbed goal No.12 of the season with a second-half sizzler from outside the box.

Hibs always posed a threat but Gerrard’s (below) men had gun power up their sleeves when it was needed.

The relentless march goes on. Gers have now won 17 out of 17 on their own patch and getting the job done at home has laid the foundations for this memorable campaign.

There might not be punters roaring them on but it’s been comfortable viewing at home.

Nathan

Patterson and Josh

Doig gave us a glimpse of

Scotland’s future full-backs but it was the same old stars who shone for Rangers again. Aribo was a driving force, Steven Davis a pass master and Kent the cutting edge. At the back Allan Mcgregor was on hand to deal with anything that came his way and it was all just so familiar. Hibs have caused Rangers more problems than most this term and did so again yesterday.

They were lively on the counter but Rangers have just overwhelmed sides this season. Aribo’s 20th-minute opener was a superb volleyed finish after a neat bit of link-up play involving

Patterson. But it was also down to sheer pressure.

Hibs were unlucky not to be level before the break.

Nisbet popped up in the pocket to drive an effort wide and then Boyle broke inside as well to force Mcgregor to divert the danger away, even if he did protest he never got a touch.

But Rangers were shifting up the gears again and Kent put the foot down.

Hibs ushered the wide man inside and he made them pay, shuffling past a couple of markers before pulling the trigger with his left foot from more than 20 yards, the ball swirling away from Marciano into the far corner. It was another moment of sheer quality from the player.

And it was another quietly impressive display from Mcgregor who produced a couple of great saves before he was eventually beaten by Nisbet.