Another big game comes Rangers way and it’s the third game of the three games Alex McLeish was given to save his career.
The first one was lost to Celtic and the next was of course drawn against Porto but was that draw in Porto enough to save McLeish’s job?
Either way, Rangers badly need three points in this game. They find themselves 8 points behind their opponents who are above them in third place, a defeat here would take it to 11 points and would leave Rangers struggling to qualify for the Champions League next season.
The last time the teams met was at Ibrox earlier this season and it was a game which Hibernian won 3-0. Rangers will be out for revenge in this one.
Vital Quotes:
Ian Murray, Rangers: ‘We have to start winning matches, it’s not a case of sitting back and hoping for the best.
Tony Mowbray, Hibs manager: ‘If we had got the positive result last week then that would have been six league wins on the bounce, and perhaps the expectation levels then from our players would have been such that I?d have had to try and temper it a bit.’
Hibernian Team News:
Hibernian will give late fitness tests to David Murphy, Gary Caldwell, Gary Smith, Michael Stewart and Kevin Thomson.
Player to watch: Scott Brown
The Hibs midfielder is a tricky customer and Rangers will need to watch out for his runs.
Rangers Team News:
Rangers are still without strikers Dado Prso, Nacho Novo and Federico Nieto plus defenders Olivier Bernard and Julien Rodriguez.
Thomas Buffel is still not ready for a return.
I hope to see Alex McLeish give youngsters Chris Burke and Ross McCormack a starting place after their exploits against Porto.
Here is the team I’d field against Hibs:
Waterreus
Hutton
Kyrgiakos
Andrews
Murray
Burke
Ferguson
Hemdani
Lovenkrands
McCormack
Thompson
Player to watch: Marvin Andrews
The big defender has been solid at the back for Rangers in recent weeks.
Match Facts & Stats
Last meeting: Rangers 0 Hibernian 3, SPL, Aug 27th
Gers record at Easter Road: P136 W65 D39 L32 F202 A147
Ref Watch:
Sunday’s man in the middle is Stuart Dougal.
Match Prediction:
I dread predicting this as I don’t want to jinx it but I believe the result midweek v Porto will give Gers a much needed confidence boost and they can just sneak this.
There have been some high scoring games between the two teams at Easter Road over the years and I think this will be another.
Hibs 2 Rangers 3 is my prediction.
Next Fixtures:
Hibernian v Dundee Utd (away) Dec 3rd
Rangers v Falkirk (home) Dec 3rd