Sublime Hagi finish eases Gers’ nerves

Debut goal from Romanian new boy sees Rangers stay seven behind rivals

RANGERS 2 HIBERNIAN 1

Ianis Hagi kept Rangers in the title race as his first goal for Steven Gerrard’s side sealed a 2-1 win over Hibernian at Ibrox last night.

Old Firm rivals Celtic were threatening to disappear over the horizon as the Light Blues again struggled to breakdown a stubborn defence.

Paul Hanlon had sparked fear and alarm amongst the Gers support as he fired Jack Ross’ team in front midway through the first half.

But George Edmundson – back in the starting line-up for the first time since October – slammed home his first goal since joining from Oldham in the summer to level just before half-time.

However, it appeared Rangers – who had dropped five points in their first four games after the winter break – were set to lose further ground on Neil Lennon’s champions as the Leith side clung on.

But with just six minutes left, on-loan Genk star Hagi opened his Ibrox account to ensure the deficit stays at seven points with a game in hand. Hibernian, meanwhile, clung onto their slot in the top six.

An early goal would have settled the nerves but Alfredo Morelos was foiled three minutes in as he raced beyond Hanlon onto fit-again skipper James Tavernier’s pass, with Ofir Marciano making a good save.

Edmundson had to make his own intervention soon after when Scott Allan slipped Joe Newell in behind the Gers defence.

There was little understanding from the Light Blues’ faithful, who responded to every stray pass and over-hit cross with a roar of frustration – and the groans almost went off the scale on 35 minutes as Hibs opened the scoring.

Edmundson gave away a free-kick as he lunged in on Steven Whittaker. Christian Doidge was first up to meet Allan’s delivery but Allan Mcgregor got nowhere near the striker’s looping header, allowing Hanlon to slam into the empty net.

However, the goal sparked Gers into life. There were unsuccessful claims for a penalty as Ryan Kent tumbled into Whittaker’s legs, while Scott Arfield wasted a golden chance after being teed up by Joe Aribo.

But scores were level by the break as Edmundson pounced in first-half stoppage time. Tavernier’s set-piece delivery from the right ended up pinballing off the shins of Paul Mcginn and Stephane Omeonga before breaking to the Gers centre-back to lash home.

The equaliser immediately changed the mood around Ibrox. The fans roared their team out after the turnaround and were almost celebrating as Hagi and Morelos came close.

Aribo hooked over from close range at a corner while Marciano made another vital block from Morelos as the Hibs box came under siege.

Hagi soon swept the worries away. Connor Goldson nudged an Arfield header on to the Romanian in the box and from a tight angle he arrowed a sublime finish into the bottom corner to send Ibrox wild.

Attendance: 49,427, Rangers: Mcgregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Edmundson, Barisic, Arfield, Davis, Hagi (Kamara 88), Aribo (Stewart 70), Morelos, Kent (Jones 81). Subs not used: Foderingham, Katic, Barker, Polster.

Hibernian: Marciano, Mcginn, Jackson (Mcgregor 75), Hanlon, Stevenson, Whittaker, Omeonga, Boyle, Allan (Horgan 83), Newell (Mcnulty 88), Doidge. Subs not used: James, Hallberg, Bogdan, Murray. Ref: Bobby Madden.

Picture: PA. Iainis Hagi volleys home Rangers’ winner to ensure the Ibrox side remain seven points behind Celtic.