Four goals and VAR frustrations: talking points as Hibs lose 4-0 to Rangers at Ibrox
It was a disappointing afternoon for the Hibees as they suffered their first defeat under Nick Montgomery. The Easter Road outfit headed west to Glasgow where they were met by a new-look Rangers. Philippe Clement was raring to go for his first game in charge and the Belgian made no mistake as he delighted home fans with a rampant performance.
Two goals from Abdallah Sima as well as one apiece for Cyriel Dessers and Nico Raskin secured Hibs’ unfortunate fate and they now return back through to the capital with no points gained.
Speaking after the match, Montgomery said “it was a tough afternoon. It was a defeat. I was really disappointed with the manner of the first goal. I thought we were building into the game at that point, frustrating them and we’d created a couple of half chances on the counter.”
However, it wasn’t just the goals that provided the talking points this afternoon as both sides believed they should have been the recipients of advantages from the referee. Following Rangers dominant performance over a poor Hibs, here are all the talking points from Ibrox…
1. Lewis Miller in action against Rangers’ Cyriel Dessers
Lewis Miller in action against Rangers’ Cyriel Dessers
2. Show Football the Red Card
Both sides showed their support for the ‘Show Football the Red Card’ campaign ahead of kick-off.
3. Abdallah Sima’s opener
The Senegalese striker opened up the scoring with a screamer completely disrupting Hibs’ flow who, up til that point, had been counter-attacking well.
4. Joe Newell’s near handball
Hibs’ Newell caused controversy as the ball hit his knee with VAR being forced into action to remove any doubt of a handball.
5. Nicolas Raskin’s first goal in Blue
Belgian footballer Nicolas Raskin scored his first goal for Rangers (and their second against Hibs) despite a challenge on Newell just before half-time.
6. ‘Synergy between players and fans’
Rangers boss Philippe Clement received an exceptionally warm welcome as he praised the ‘synergy’ between players and fans after the win – an area he wishes to further develop during his tenure.
7. Cyriel Dessers cements Hibs’ failings
A fourth goal from Cyriel Dessers – just before his substitution – cemented an exceptionally poor performance from the visitors.
8. Monty’s first defeat
This marks Nick Montgomery’s first defeat in green and white. Hibs never recovered from the first goal and the gaffer will have much to work on ahead of Celtic next weekend. Hibs currently sit ninth in the league.
