THREE THINGS
we’ve learnt from Hibs vs. Rangers this season
Anyone fit to lace up their boots played for Hibs in this one. Jordan Obita was at centre-half, Lewis Stevenson made a rare start at left-back, Kanayo Megwa at right-back, Myziane Maolida being thrown in at the deep end after months and months of limited competitive football… it’s fair to say the injury crisis and international absences had an impact on Monty’s selection. And indeed, this was a team ill-suited to the task. They didn’t have the match sharpness, the cohesion or the ability in key areas to punish Rangers, who simply played their way to a comprehensive win. Hibs did manage nine shots – three on target – on the night, and Emi Marcondes came on and showed some of the promise we’re now seeing in every game.
This was at least a more recognisable starting XI, although Marcondes at centreforward (false or otherwise) spoke to a lack of options up top. Martin Boyle was back, at least for a bit, in a line-up sprinkled with January signings finding their feet. But two red cards, one hospitalisation and fury enough to power the floodlights for a month was the story of the game – the concussion for Boyle, knocked out in a clash of heads with John Souttar, setting the tone for the rest of the game after it occurred just before half-time.
The performance was hardly awful. With 11 men instead of nine, you never know what might have happened. This match could be an indicator of what to expect today – and Boyle making his comeback would make for a nice twist if the result is more positive.