Rangers v Hibernian preview: Graeme Murty wants an improved performance
Saturday 3 February 2018 08:12, UK
Rangers manager Graeme Murty hopes his side can play better against Hibs than they did the last time they met.
Murty oversaw the previous meeting of the two sides when Rangers won 2-1 at Easter Road despite it being a difficult game.
Murty told the club's official website: "We want to win the game first and foremost. However you win the game, style comes after that.
"Neil Lennon was very candid with us in the manager's office after the last game, and said to just take them wherever you can get them. I will, and hopefully the manner of it will be different tomorrow."
Hibs boss Neil Lennon, a former Celtic favourite, is expecting another tough afternoon but will do his best to ignore the crowd.
He said: "I'll be focused on it (the game), it will be a difficult game and Rangers have strengthened significantly.
"They got a good win over Aberdeen and followed that up at the weekend. No matter what time of season, you go to Ibrox it's always a tough game but we are in good form and are really pleased.
"If there is abuse or humour, you just go with the flow and act accordingly."
Team news
Scott Allan could make his return for Hibs at Ibrox. The midfielder rejoined the club on loan from Celtic on Wednesday as Simon Murray and Scott Bain departed.
Paul Hanlon, Darren McGregor and Vykintas Slivka are struggling with knocks and will be assessed on the morning of the game.
Jamie Maclaren is likely to play some part off the bench but long-term absentees Ross Laidlaw (shoulder), Steven Whittaker (pelvis) and David Gray (Achilles) remain out.
Greg Docherty and James Tavernier return for Rangers' Ladbrokes Premiership encounter with Hibernian after being unavailable for the cup victory over Fraserburgh.
Ryan Jack has had a knee operation and will be out for a "significant" period, according to manager Graeme Murty.
Kenny Miller (hamstring) is back next week, Ross McCrorie (foot) is still not running and sees a specialist next week, Lee Wallace (hernia) is close to a comeback, Bruno Alves (calf) has stepped up his recovery, Graham Dorrans (ankle) is recovering from surgery, and Jordan Rossiter is set to face Valencia for the under-20s after a series of injuries.
Opta stats
- Rangers have won five of their last six Scottish Premiership matches against Hibs (L1), keeping four clean sheets during the period.
- However, Hibernian have won two of their last four trips to Ibrox in the top-flight (L2), as many victories as they had managed in their previous 19 away matches against Rangers in the Scottish Premiership (W2 D3 L14).
- Hibs have won more points from losing positions in the Scottish Premiership this season than any other team (14).
- Rangers have scored the most headed goals in the Scottish Premiership this season (10), although just one of their last 10 goals has been a header.
- Rangers are looking to win three consecutive home Scottish Premiership matches without conceding for the first time since February 2011 (4 games).
