Danny Rohl sets unwanted Rangers record as pressure explodes after Hibs defeat and Tavernier incident – 5 talking points
The pressure was cranked up on Danny Rohl after a fourth post split defeat in a row
Rangers v Hibs – Best of the Premiership actionRangers made it four defeats on the spin in the Premiership split by losing to Hibs at Ibrox.
In their final home game of the season, Danny Rohl’s side continued their woeful form at the tail end of the campaign – losing four on the bounce for the first time since 1983.
Dane Scarlett’s injury time winner for the visitors kept their hopes of claiming fourth spot in the league alive.
David Gray’s men led in Govan through Martin Boyle’s early strike, which was cancelled out by a terrific Thelo Aasgaard free-kick just before half-time.
But on-loan Spurs kid Scarlett notched from close range late on to cap a miserable night for Rohl.
It started in bizarre fashion with departing skipper James Tavernier pulling out of the squad in anger after being told he’d only be a sub.
The Gers captain had left the stadium but eventually returned to take the acclaim of the crowd before kick-off.
Rohl’s side missed a host of chances but were vulnerable at the back. At 1-1, sub Bojan Miovski came close to scoring but Jack Butland also had to pull off a stunning save to deny Felix Passlack.
The German then set up Scarlett’s winner to the delight of the travelling support from Leith.
Here are Record Sport’s 5 talking points:
Tav turnaround
This was supposed to a perfectly orchestrated, emotional farewell for Rangers skipper James Tavernier.
But at this club, things are rarely that simple. Half an hour before the game, the news was that Tavernier hadn’t turned up at Ibrox.
He was upset at being told by Danny Rohl he’d be a sub so withdrew from the Gers squad.
But just before kick-off, he was back! Tavernier appeared on the pitch out of nowhere in his club suit for a presentation by John Greig which reduced him to tears.
So much for a no-drama dead rubber.
Boyle blastNot for the first time in recent weeks, Rangers were defensively shaky early on in this game and that resulted in Hibs breaking the deadlock.
It all came from Manny Fernandez charging up the pitch on a mazy run, only to lose the ball on the edge of Hibs’ box.
That left a gaping hole at the back as the visitors broke.
When Jordan Obita whipped a ball in, Tuur Rommens was screaming at Gers team-mate Nasser Djiga to tell him he had two men.
The centre-back was oblivious, the Belgian ended up in no-man’s land and Boyle was left unmarked to bury a brilliant volley past Jack Butland.
Thelo tekkersIt’s fair to say that Thelo Aasgaard has flattered to deceive in his first season at Rangers.
In flashes, the Norwegian has shown he’s got ability but he just hasn’t done it often enough.
And his performance here pretty much summed up his campaign.
In the first half, he squandered a couple of gilt-edged chances by being wasteful in front of goal.
But just before the break, he was fouled on the edge of the box, dusted himself down and casually curled a magnificent free-kick into Raphael Sallinger’s top bin.
It was a phenomenal hit, which was reminiscent of his wonder strike against Annan in the League Cup.
Aasgaard clearly has talent – but his consistency must improve if he’s going to have a future at Ibrox.Sensational Sallinger
There’s an argument to say Hibs keeper Raphael Sallinger has been the best stopper in the Premiership this term.
And he put a strong case forward with his display at Ibrox as the Austrian produced a string of top saves especially in the first half.
Early on, Fernandez thought he’d scored with a bullet header for Rangers from a corner but Sallinger denied him from point blank range.
Aasgaard was then in on goal TWICE but was thwarted by the Hibs number one.
But Sallinger’s best moment came just before the break with a sensational piece of goalkeeping.
The ball broke to Connor Barron 25 yards out and he unleashed a stunning effort that looked destined for the top corner – before the keeper somehow clawed it wide.
Rohl on next seasonAs expected, this game was a bit of a damp squib for Rangers and boss Danny Rohl after the collapse of their title bid.
Fans wanted to see a few youngsters involved but that didn’t happen and it was no surprise to see big gaps in the crowd at Ibrox.
Even the Tavernier farewell didn’t go to plan.On the pitch, it was another fairly lacklustre display. They created plenty of chances in the first half and couldn’t take them.
But at the back, they continued to look vulnerable, which is just one of the reasons why they’re not champions.
Loan signings like Djiga, Andreas Skov Olsen, Max Aarons and Jayden Meghoma were surely at Ibrox for the last time.
Rohl might try and tempt Mikey Moore back and the work for next season must start now.