Second Half Goals Secure Points

Rangers 3 Hibernian 0

A second-half burst of goals saw Rangers Development League side deservedly take the three points in today’s league game at Murray Park. The Ibrox youngsters had the better of the first-half but couldn’t make the break through, but that was rectified after the break and they ran out comfortable winners.

Rangers had a great chance to take the lead after only four minutes, when Ross Lyon’s through ball was missed by Kevin Waugh it left Ryan Hardie in the clear, he rounded keeper Sean Brennan and a goal seemed certain but the Rangers striker’s shot could only find the side netting at the keeper’s left hand post. Within a couple of minutes Rangers came close again, when the ball was played into the penalty area Scott Roberts laid the ball back into the path of Max Ashmore who’s shot was deflected narrowly wide of Sean Brennan’s left hand post.

Hibs first real effort on goal came just before the quarter-hour mark, Fraser Murray delivered a corner from the right and Olly Shaw rose to head over. Just after the half hour Jamie Mills made the byline on the left and from his cross Ryan Hardie set up a shooting chance for Tom Walsh who saw his effort deflected wide of Sean Brennan’s right hand post.

Nine minutes before the break indecision between David Brownlie and Ross McCrorie saw the latter leave his pass back woefully short, Jamie Insall was in the clear but shot wide of Liam Kelly’s right hand post.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Hibernian 0

Within five minutes of the turn around Rangers made the break through, Ross Lyon worked a short corner on the left with Tom Walsh before crossing for Ross McCrorie to rise and power a header past Seam Brennan. Eight minutes later Tom Walsh attacked on the right and when he worked a position for a shot Sean Brennan dived to his right to push the ball clear.

Rangers doubled their lead midway through the half, Fraser Aird’s pass sent Ryan Hardie racing clear into the right side of the Hibs penalty area, he rounded Sean Brennan before side stepping past Ben Stirling and walking the ball into the net. The Rangers striker was to find the net again within two minutes, on this occasion he was sent through the inside left channel on a Scott Roberts pass and Ryan Hardie continued into the box before beating Sean Brennan with a cool finish.

When Ryan Hardie was picked out with a superb Scott Roberts pass from the left his hat-trick looked likely but he was a bit casual with his attempted lob over Sean Brennan who was able to make an easy save.Rangers could have added to their tally with six minutes remaining, Dylan Dykes played the ball forward to Ryan Hardie inside the box he laid it back to Ross King but his shot was straight at Sean Brennan who saved comfortably.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Hibernian 0

Rangers:- Liam Kelly; Fraser Aird, David Brownlie, Ross McCrorie (Craig Halkett 74mins), Jamie Mills; Max Ashmore (Dylan Dykes 68mins); Jordan Thompson, Ross Lyon (Ross King 79mins); Tom Walsh, Ryan Hardie, Scott Roberts.

Not Used:- Robbie McCrorie (Gk), Josh Jeffries, Jamie Brandon.

Hibernian:- Sean Brennan; Aaron Dunsmore, Jordan Forster, Kevin Waugh, Adam Eckersley (Callum Donaldson 57mins); Scott Martin (Connor Duthie 59mins), Ben Stirling, Fraser Murray; Jamie Insall; Olly Shaw (Jack Breen 72mins), Farid El Alagui.

Not Used:- Matt Costello (Gk), Adam Watson, Ally Smith, Aaron Scott