Rangers Secure Narrow Victory Over Hibernian Amid Thrilling Title Race

Following Rangers' narrow victory against Hibernian, former striker and coach Billy Dodds remarked, "This is turning into a fascinating title race with how many teams are involved in it."

When Danny Rohl was appointed as the head coach of Rangers on October 20, the prospect of a title race was the last thing on the minds of their supporters.

The team was still reeling from the aftermath of their former manager Russell Martin being escorted into a getaway car after a 1-1 draw that left them in eighth place in the Scottish Premiership, 11 points behind leaders Hearts and just four points above the bottom-placed Aberdeen.

In the interim, Steven Smith managed a 2-2 draw against Dundee United, which left Rangers 13 points adrift of the top spot.

However, their latest win on Monday marked the sixth victory since Rohl took over, propelling the Ibrox side to third place, now nine points behind Hearts, whom they are set to face on Sunday, with a game in hand.

Dodds commented on the performance, stating on BBC Sportsound, "Rangers deserved the win; they are putting a run together now. It's a vital three points, and they were pragmatic in how they approached the game. If you play poorly, just make sure you secure the win, and that's what Rangers are doing."

This win was not a spectacle but rather a testament to getting the job done efficiently.

For much of the first half, Rangers appeared second best against a Hibernian side that started strong but faltered in the final third. David Gray’s team built from the back, taking advantage of the space afforded to them in midfield, yet they hesitated when faced with the Rangers defense.

This frustration was evident for Gray, who aimed to lead Hibs to consecutive league victories at Govan for the first time since 2018, but it was the Ibrox side that capitalized on the situation.

Rangers took the lead when Emmanuel Fernandez connected with Dujon Sterling's excellent cross, a goal that came against the run of play. Although it did not ignite a spark among the Rangers players, it provided them with something to defend, which they managed to do with relative ease.

Rohl expressed his satisfaction post-match, saying, "It wasn't always the prettiest football, but we are finding a way to win games. I would like us to be more clinical. I'm happy with the points, but we need to improve. It's a step-by-step process, and for me, it's about winning games. The victory was deserved; we may not have played every aspect of the game beautifully, but with clean sheets and being clinical when it matters, you earn the win."

This victory sets the stage for an exciting match against Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday. Derek McInnes's league leaders have experienced a slight dip in form but recently secured a significant win over Celtic, followed by a gritty victory against Falkirk in challenging conditions, reaffirming their title aspirations.

When the teams last met in September, Hearts claimed victory at Ibrox—marking their first win there since 2014—pushing them three points clear at the top of the table while marking Martin as the first Ibrox manager in 47 years to fail to win any of his first five league matches.

Since then, the atmosphere around Rangers has shifted positively, thanks to the stability and pragmatism Rohl has introduced, at least domestically. He consistently emphasizes the need to take "a step forward," regardless of the size of the advancement.

Should Rangers secure points at Gorgie, it would represent a significant leap. Rohl added, "We need to be brave. When we play forward instead of backwards, I believe we have more than enough quality to challenge all opponents in the league. Let's see how Sunday’s game unfolds. We must put in the effort, and everyone knows what’s at stake. It's about three points, the next step, and continuing this momentum."

What are the fans saying?

Alex: "First and foremost is to win. Performances come next. Achieving wins generates confidence as well. I'd rather win playing poorly than lose while playing well."

Alastair: "I don't quite know what to say; it was horrible to watch but we keep winning. Given I cheered for anti-football all the way to the UEFA Cup final, I guess I need to adjust and support what’s happening at the big house."

Gavin: "It was a scrappy game, but Danny Rohl's Rangers keep rolling. Winning is all that matters right now; no whiteboard needed, just a level head."

Derek: "Three points, but another slow, lethargic performance. Where is all this fast-flowing attacking football? On a positive note, it was great to see Dujon Sterling back; he made a fantastic clearance off the line and delivered a quality cross for the goal. Onwards and upwards."

William: "Not a pretty match, but three points are all that matters right now. We just need to maintain our momentum, especially with a tough match coming up at Tynecastle on Sunday."

Rangers Secure Narrow Victory Over Hibernian Amid Thrilling Title Race

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