Rangers 1-0 Hibernian: It wasn't pretty, but it was effective

It may not have been the finest performance of the Mark Warburton era, but it was the most important result so far.

After six games and six wins, Rangers are now six points clear of Hibernian in the Championship title race after James Tavernier capped a Man of the Match performance with another superb second half free-kick at Ibrox.

Victories over Peterhead, St Mirren, Alloa and Ayr United in recent weeks have raised expectation levels and confidence amongst a rejuvenated fan base.

But it is the second win of the campaign against Hibernian that is arguably the biggest achievement to date for Warburton and his new look side as the supporters were sent home happy once again.

Having laid down a marker of their intentions this term with a 6-2 win at Easter Road on the opening day of the campaign, Rangers completed an early season double against Alan Stubbs’ side as their momentum gathered further pace.

This was no swashbuckling, free-flowing showing from Rangers, though, and, if their visitors had been more clinical in front of goal, it could well have been a first defeat for Warburton as boss.

In the end, it was another afternoon to celebrate for the 52-year-old and his players, although the aftermath and the analysis will highlight areas where Rangers can undoubtedly improve.

They once again passed up their fair share of chances and have still to convince they are a side that is capable of keeping a string of clean sheets.

In midfield, they were at times overshadowed at a sun-kissed Ibrox, but this was a day for them to dig deep and grind out a win rather than pass and move their way to the points.

It was not a bad performance, though, and the result was anything but, as Rangers landed another blow on the side that are likely to be their closest challengers for the Championship crown this term.

In front of an almost 50,000 crowd, Rangers were roared on to the park and roared off again at the culmination of an end-to-end encounter that brought them yet another win.

Warburton has been enthused by the reaction of supporters since his arrival at the club and the acclaim was once again ringing in his ears as Rangers were given a rousing reception for the second consecutive league outing on home soil.

The build-up to this match had been lengthy as the Scott Allan saga and jibes from Stubbs towards Warburton, and the Rangers manager’s riposte, added spice to what was already going to be a keenly anticipated and hotly contested 90 minutes.

When the Light Blue legions arrived in their numbers for the visit of St Mirren earlier this month, they saw their side get off to a flying start as Rangers stormed out of the traps.

There was no repeat this time, however, as, while Rangers started brightly, they were often nullified before they had a chance to break the deadlock.

There was an early opportunity for Martyn Waghorn as he headed a Barrie McKay corner over, while Lee Wallace and Jason Holt both tried their luck from the edge of the area.

But it was the visitors who should have been ahead at the interval as they recovered from a sluggish start to assert themselves in the match, stifling Rangers’ attacking intentions and causing problems of their own.

Hibs were sharp in the final third but not always quick on the ball, Stubbs’ side slowing the pace of the game down at every opportunity as the home crowd became frustrated, but the goal to cause real consternation didn’t arrive.

Jason Cummings was their main threat but he couldn’t take advantage of a mistake from Wes Foderingham, the keeper fluffing his lines after collecting an Andy Halliday pass, or find the target with only the Englishman to beat just before the break.

The final blow of Steven McLean’s whistle brought an angry reaction from the home bench as the referee brought a premature end to a Gers’ attack.

It meant Rangers were without a goal after 45 minutes for the first time this season and the halt in proceedings was crucial for Warburton as he looked to find a way to unlock the Hibs defence.

Rangers started on the front foot and Holt was denied but a series of forward forays and corners came to nothing as the scoreboard remain untroubled.

It was at the other end where the clearest chance came but Liam Henderson, the on loan Celtic midfielder, scooped his effort high over the bar after Cummings had robbed Danny Wilson to set up a glorious chance.

Just seconds later, Tavernier’s moment of magic rubbed salt into Hibs’ wounds as he gave Rangers the lead in stunning fashion and set them on the road to victory.

The right-back netted the first goal of the Warburton reign with a dead ball strike at Easter Road and this one was even better, a dipping, curling effort from the left flank finding the top corner of Mark Oxley’s net.

The points should have been secured just minutes later but Miller couldn’t convert from inside the area before Wallace was denied by the onrushing Oxley.

A winning margin by more than one goal for Rangers would have been harsh on Hibs and, as they pushed for an equaliser, the Light Blues were left frustrated in their attempts to ease the nerves around Ibrox.

The final whistle brought another roar of celebration, and maybe some of relief, as the points were secured and another win added to Warburton’s impressive record to date.

A good start has become a very good start for Rangers.