Hibernian 3 vs. Rangers 3 Apr.28th 2007
THREE BUT NOT SO EASY
For the neutral supporter, this must have been an excellent spectacle but for the rest of us it showed the frailties that have been at the forefront for the majority of the season.
The result actually summed up both halves of the season. The inconsistency of PLG paired with the stubbornness and grit of Walter Smith and it was the re-emergence of the PLG one up front system that caused us the most harm. Boyd failed to hold the ball up most times it came to him so possession was squandered on a regular basis, pair that with a pacey and bright Hibs side and it led to a very open game.
Prso and Rae dropped out from last weekend’s squad and they were replaced by Novo and Adam. The second of the two being our main saviour on the day, as twice his speciality free kicks hauled us back into the game.
Today’s team: -
McGregor: - It’s never a good day for any keeper when you get three knocked past you. In saying that two of those were excellent strikes from outside the area, which he had little chance with.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Hutton: - Not quite up to the very high benchmark that he has set himself in recent weeks. He was caught out once or twice defensively but did contribute a sublime chipped goal to draw us level at two two.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Ehiogu: - Looked ill at ease with the pace of Hibs from the first whistle to the last. He doesn’t have the guile of Weir to help him out in these situations.
Rmed Verdict: - 5
Weir: - Not too comfortable with the Hibs attackers either but used his know how to good effect and tried to keep his back line in order. Hopefully he can experiment with a new partner, Webster? before the end of the season.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Papac: - Again deployed on the left ahead of Murray and did a reasonable job without ever excelling. Like the rest of the back line though, the constant pressure put on us never really allowed our full backs to spring forward.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Novo: - Brought back in to give us more width to the midfield but never got to grips with the game in the way we know he can. Moved forward in the second halve to partner Boyd as we searched for a third equaliser.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Hemdani: - Mr reliable and Rangers player of the season just had his “off” day. Tried too much fancy stuff at the wrong end of the pitch and too often gave away possession most notably for their opening goal.
Rmed Verdict: - 5
Thomson: - You knew when the ball had landed at his feet without ever having to look up. The boo’s didn’t seem to affect him too much though as he put in a decent shift. He still has a lot to prove to justify the two million price tag but he has age and time on his side.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Adam: - He above anyone else has reason to love the trips to Easter Road and more exactly, the areas just around the penalty box as for the second game running he has first humiliated then rooted the Hibs keepers with spectacular free kicks. The little wand of a left peg waved its magic once more.
Rmed Verdict: - 8 (MOTM as he spared Rangers blushes with two crackers)
Bazza: - Was deployed just off Boyd to create and support but was all too often dragged back into the midfield battle that was being lost. He really needs to have men ahead of him to make the kind of passes that we know he can.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Boyd: - Not a good day at the office. Was asked to play the lone striker and struggled badly. The ball never stuck and he never got a clear sight of goal all day. Really needs a partner with him to see his best.
Rmed Verdict: - 5
Burke (On for Hemdani): - Gave a wee injection of flair but not enough to turn the game.
Rmed Verdict: - 4
Smith: - For the first time since his return, I thought the tactics were wrong but he did have the knowledge to change it around when it wasn’t working.
Rmed Verdict: - 5
Hibs must be given credit for putting up a very attacking display but it shows the level we are at that we struggled to even match them. The summer looms though and the transfer market will prove and interesting place for comings and goings over the next few months.
WATP
Baz.
For the neutral supporter, this must have been an excellent spectacle but for the rest of us it showed the frailties that have been at the forefront for the majority of the season.
The result actually summed up both halves of the season. The inconsistency of PLG paired with the stubbornness and grit of Walter Smith and it was the re-emergence of the PLG one up front system that caused us the most harm. Boyd failed to hold the ball up most times it came to him so possession was squandered on a regular basis, pair that with a pacey and bright Hibs side and it led to a very open game.
Prso and Rae dropped out from last weekend’s squad and they were replaced by Novo and Adam. The second of the two being our main saviour on the day, as twice his speciality free kicks hauled us back into the game.
Today’s team: -
McGregor: - It’s never a good day for any keeper when you get three knocked past you. In saying that two of those were excellent strikes from outside the area, which he had little chance with.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Hutton: - Not quite up to the very high benchmark that he has set himself in recent weeks. He was caught out once or twice defensively but did contribute a sublime chipped goal to draw us level at two two.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Ehiogu: - Looked ill at ease with the pace of Hibs from the first whistle to the last. He doesn’t have the guile of Weir to help him out in these situations.
Rmed Verdict: - 5
Weir: - Not too comfortable with the Hibs attackers either but used his know how to good effect and tried to keep his back line in order. Hopefully he can experiment with a new partner, Webster? before the end of the season.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Papac: - Again deployed on the left ahead of Murray and did a reasonable job without ever excelling. Like the rest of the back line though, the constant pressure put on us never really allowed our full backs to spring forward.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Novo: - Brought back in to give us more width to the midfield but never got to grips with the game in the way we know he can. Moved forward in the second halve to partner Boyd as we searched for a third equaliser.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Hemdani: - Mr reliable and Rangers player of the season just had his “off” day. Tried too much fancy stuff at the wrong end of the pitch and too often gave away possession most notably for their opening goal.
Rmed Verdict: - 5
Thomson: - You knew when the ball had landed at his feet without ever having to look up. The boo’s didn’t seem to affect him too much though as he put in a decent shift. He still has a lot to prove to justify the two million price tag but he has age and time on his side.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Adam: - He above anyone else has reason to love the trips to Easter Road and more exactly, the areas just around the penalty box as for the second game running he has first humiliated then rooted the Hibs keepers with spectacular free kicks. The little wand of a left peg waved its magic once more.
Rmed Verdict: - 8 (MOTM as he spared Rangers blushes with two crackers)
Bazza: - Was deployed just off Boyd to create and support but was all too often dragged back into the midfield battle that was being lost. He really needs to have men ahead of him to make the kind of passes that we know he can.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Boyd: - Not a good day at the office. Was asked to play the lone striker and struggled badly. The ball never stuck and he never got a clear sight of goal all day. Really needs a partner with him to see his best.
Rmed Verdict: - 5
Burke (On for Hemdani): - Gave a wee injection of flair but not enough to turn the game.
Rmed Verdict: - 4
Smith: - For the first time since his return, I thought the tactics were wrong but he did have the knowledge to change it around when it wasn’t working.
Rmed Verdict: - 5
Hibs must be given credit for putting up a very attacking display but it shows the level we are at that we struggled to even match them. The summer looms though and the transfer market will prove and interesting place for comings and goings over the next few months.
WATP
Baz.
posted by RangersMedia @ 7:22 AM
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