Rangers hold on to beat Hibs

Michael Mols gives Rangers the lead at Ibrox

Rangers 2-1 Hibernian

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Rangers were forced to hold on for a hard-earned three points against Hibs who might have secured a point in the second half.

Michael Mols and Shota Arveladze goals were all Rangers had to show for their early superiority.

But Tom McManus' goal just before the break made for an edgy second period, but the home side stayed clear at the top of the league with the win.

Rangers were first on the attack and Michael Mols went close with only two minutes on the clock, but his left-foot shot flew a couple of feet wide.

Shota Arveladze saw a neat flick saved by Nick Colgan and then the Georgian should have opened the scoring after a delightful bit of skill bought him a bit of space, but he blazed his volley over.

Mixu Paatelainen and Garry O'Connor almost capitalised after Amoruso failed to clear, but Stefan Klos smothered the ball before either could get there.

In 11 minutes, Rangers went ahead through Mols, Arveladze and Fernando Ricksen combining to allow the Dutch striker to slam the ball in off the bar.

Shota Arveladze celebrates his goal

Claudio Caniggia was guilty of an awful miss after 20 minutes when Colgan dropped the ball at his feet, but the Argentine put the shot over.

Mols had a goal chopped off for offside before Arveladze too was denied after hitting the back of the net, referee Mike McCurry bringing the game back for a Rangers free kick.

Arveladze finally got on the scoresheet 10 minutes before the interval with a cute backheel after Colgan had parried Ricksen's shot and Caniggia had forced the ball goalwards.

Tam McManus gave Hibs a way back into the match with a goal on the stroke of half time, beating Arthur Numan and Klos to Paatelainen's flick to knock the ball into the net.

O'Connor almost pulled Hibs level five minutes after the restart with a fierce shot from the angle of the box that Klos did well to tip over.

Tam McManus got Hibs' goal

Rangers lost Amoruso and Arteta to injury in quick succession and Hibs, although they lost O'Connor, were certainly coming more into the game.

Paatelainen claimed for a penalty when the ball appeared to come off the hand of Bert Konterman, but only a corner was given.

McManus miskicked in front of goal as Hibs kept up the pressure with time running out.

Paco Luna had a header blocked moments after Russell Latapy had been foiled at the other end.

Numan's sliced clearance gave Rangers a scare before Latapy almost provided Stephen Hughes with Rangers' third, but the cross just evaded the youngster.

Ferguson had a late free kick kept out by Colgan but the points stayed at Ibrox in any case.

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Rangers: Klos, Ross, Malcolm, Amoruso (Konterman 52), Numan, Ricksen, Ferguson, Arteta (Hughes 58), Caniggia (Latapy 68), Mols, Arveladze.

Subs Not Used: McGregor, Dodds.

Hibernian: Colgan, Orman (O'Neil 67), Smith, Fenwick, Zambernardi, McManus, Brebner, Wiss, James, O'Connor (Luna 63), Paatelainen.

Subs Not Used: Caig, Jack, Doumbe.

Booked: James, McManus, Paatelainen, Luna, Zambernardi.

Att: 48,798

Ref: M McCurry