When one team beats another so convincingly, the winning side usually take all the plaudits.
There are usually pages upon pages of how well the team performed and how that certain team’s individuals made the difference. However, since Rangers 6-1 mauling of Hibs that doesn’t seem to have been the case.
It’s been about one man, who produced one pass then faded out of the game until he was taken off. Yes, it was a decent ball from Scott Allan and a good run and finish by Daryl Horgan. But come on! It’s hardly world-class, is it? From a Rangers point of view, it was easily preventable. Allan got in behind the midfield in the 10 position; Steven Davis didn’t drop with him allowing him the time to pick the pass, and Jon Flanagan played Horgan onside for him to score.
We should be lavishing praise on how well this new version of Ryan Jack dominated Josh Vela and found the drive and poise in his play that has only come from working with Steven Gerrard. Even though, many including myself, thought he may play a lesser part this season, he’s started the season like a bulldog ready for the battle.
Or, Jordan Jones ’ part in Rangers’ second goal and his display all afternoon. It was a joy watching him nutmeg Steven Whittaker and make Hibs’ time at Ibrox at lot more difficult than it could have been. His direct, cocky style caught the eye and of course that second goal ... he nutmegs Whittaker and slides the ball into Sheyi Ojo for him to find Jermain Defoe in what is an early goal-of-the season contender.
Rangers ran riot in match that could have potentially been a tricky one. Scored six, Gerrard left two of his best attacking options on the bench, plus this came on the back of a big win in Denmark against Midtjylland on Thursday evening.
Instead of lauding Allan for his one contribution to a 90-minute football match, it’s Gerrard and his players who should be getting column inch upon column written about them in all quarters, praising the team’s depth and how he and Mark Allen have done well in recruiting the likes of Jones, Joe Aribo and giving this Rangers team the necessary tools to be able to take a decent Hibs side – under a decent manager – apart limb by limb.
Rangers were breathtaking and blew away any notion they won’t be in a title race come the end of the season. Gerrard will look back on this as hopefully being the springboard for his team’s success. While in the bigger picture, as good as Hibs’ goal was, in reality, it was and should be treated like a mere footnote in a severe battering by a group of players who are of better quality but showed it on the day with a resounding victory.
If this had been a boxing match, it would have been stopped after 30 minutes and Allan’s pass wouldn’t even be a talking point.
However, if the pass gives the Hibs fans any crumb of comfort from the defeat, that’s great.
But I’d rather be celebrating 90 minutes of good football, six goals and three important points. That’s what matters most.
