READY WHEN YOU ARE
Gerrard says uncertainty over derby is no concern
STEVEN GERRARD has “no concerns” over when Rangers’ will face Celtic in their Old Firm cup clash as he awaits a decision from the Scottish FA.
The champions are due to face John Kennedy’s side on Saturday afternoon but the fixture could be switched following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh last week.
The SFA are set to confirm the dates for each of the fourth round ties and, when asked about the
Celtic fixture, Gerrard said: “No concerns but I’d like to know when it is.
“I think it’s a game we’re very much looking forward to, it’s a mouth-watering tie. Both teams have got a week to prepare going into it so there’s certainly no excuses from that point of view.
“We’ll have a day off tomorrow [Monday] and give the lads the information for the game plan we think can be successful on the day.
“It will be a tough tie. We’re pleased it’s at home and we want to try to build on our strong home record. We’re certainly looking forward to it but it would be nice to know when it will be.”
Rangers continued their unbeaten Premiership run with a 2-1 win over Hibernian on yesterday as goals from Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent proved enough before Kevin Nisbet’s late header.
But there was a blow before kick-off after defender Leon Balogun missed the game with an injury that could sideline him for a couple of weeks.
Gerrard said: “He’s going to be out unfortunately. We’re still waiting for a scan. The scan will happen tomorrow morning or afternoon.
“He felt a calf/Achilles area yesterday [Saturday] morning. He left the training session.
“But until we get the scan result we won’t be able to know the outcome of that.
“But he’s limping about today which tells you he has obviously very little chance of making next weekend.”
THE Premiership title may have been won but there are still targets, both individually and collectively, for Rangers to achieve this season as manager Steven Gerrard sets new aims for his side to aspire to in the closing weeks of the campaign.
Victory over Hibernian was the first step towards those goals. The unbeaten league campaign is still on the agenda, as are increasing the numbers in terms of points, clean sheets and wins now the end of the season is coming into view.
A month on from their crowning as Premiership champions, this was the first game where there was not quite as much at stake as usual for Rangers. It wasn’t exactly meaningless – no game is for Rangers – and Gerrard had warned that there were places against Celtic up for grabs as attentions now turn to the Scottish Cup clash at Ibrox.
Goals in either half from Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent won this one for the champions as Kevin Nisbet replied late on for Hibernian. It has been a campaign in which Rangers have been ruthless and relentless and this victory was added to the list in relative comfort.
Jack Ross may have brought Hibernian to Ibrox hoping to take another step towards securing third place in the Premiership, but they never looked like doing so. Of the four meetings between the sides this term, this was the most straightforward for Rangers.
There was a more familiar look to Gerrard’s starting line-up than there was against Cove last weekend as five players returned to the side. The ambition was, of course, still the same and it would be no surprise to see the same players tasked with overcoming Celtic.
There will be no place in the squad for Leon Balogun, however, after he sustained an injury in training on Saturday that could rule him out of action for two weeks. The defender started the weekend by agreeing a new contract to keep him at Ibrox for another season but an Achilles problem will now deny him the chance to play in what has become the most significant game of the season against Celtic.
This one was merely a warmup encounter for Rangers. It took them some time to get going and the lead they earned midway through the first half could have been lost by the end of it.
The opening 20 minutes were uninspiring and a long-range effort from Kent that whistled by Ofir Marciano’s left hand post was all Rangers could offer. It turned out to be the spark they needed, however.
The ball was in the net seconds later. The off-side flag may have denied Kemar Roofe following a neat move that saw Steven Davis slip in Alfredo Morelos and the Colombian pick out his forward partner, but it was a sign of intent at long last from Rangers.
Both Roofe and Morelos were involved in the opener. Marciano made a terrific reaction save to deny Roofe as he connected with a teasing Borna Barisic cross but Rangers would keep the move alive and keep the pressure on.
A driven cross from Morelos spun up into the air and it was Aribo who reacted the smartest. His acrobatic finish was perfectly placed away from Marciano and Rangers had a lead that had only looked like coming when they stepped it up.
Hibernian would eventually do the same. Their response was not exactly immediate but they would finish the half well and Allan McGregor was worried as Nisbet and then Martin Boyle rifled in wellstruck efforts from distance
that were just wide of the target.
McGregor would protest to referee Don Robertson that he did not get a touch to the second one but a corner was awarded. From it, Paul Hanlon could not find the target with a header as Hibernian trailed at the interval.
Had the visitors been able to get the second goal of the afternoon, it might have made for an interesting half. As it was, the game was all but over when Kent found the net.
Rangers had once again not been at their free-flowing best after the break but a moment of magic was produced when it was most required. With it, another win was secured.
Davis knocked the ball wide to Kent on the right and his run into a shooting position was direct as Joe Newell and Alex Gogic were beaten with ease. So, too, was Marciano as Kent produced a lovely finish that gave the goalkeeper no chance.
The response from Hibernian was better on this occasion. Boyle tested McGregor on the angle, Nisbet’s free-kick from distance was parried away and a Ryan Porteous goal was ruled out for a foul in the build-up.
From a Paul McGinn cross, Nisbet rose well and directed a header across McGregor as he beat Connor Goldson to the ball. It gave Hibernian hope at least.
It would not lead to anything, though. As they have done so often this term, Rangers would see it out as they look to finish with style in the Premiership.