ALFREDO Morelos and James Tavernier were the difference makers for Rangers last night as Shaun Maloney’s Hibs side were comfortably beaten at Ibrox.
Matches against the Leith outfit have become notoriously tight affairs in recent years but yesterday was far more routine.
Using StatsBomb data, the Rangers Review looks back on all the trends and data from the clash.
Trendline
After taking an early lead the hosts continued to create, albeit the tempo they started with didn’t reappear after successive injuries slowed the opening stages.
Until the 88th minute the visitors had only created an xG of 0.35, a total they doubled with a brief flurry of late chances when the game was all but over.
Pass networks
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s game plan is clear from the passing network. Overloads and rotations on the right created the second goal, while vertical play moved across the pitch to Ryan Kent caused an early penalty.
The second-half pass map shows how heavily the home side overloaded their right.
As at the weekend, it’s a note of encouragement that passes between the centre-back pairing doesn't feature in the top five common combinations. This demonstrates that Rangers are become better equipped to play through the first line of pressure.
Hibs had little luck offensively and their 4-5-1 was often pushed back.
Shot maps
The penalty undoubtedly tempered some of the early attacking play on show from the hosts. From open play, all but two of the team’s 17 shots were not taken by Morelos, Kent and Scott Arfield.
The cluster of four attempts to the left of the penalty area were all right-footed shots attempted by Kent after cutting infield.
The winger’s final ball on Sunday was excellent and while his performance yesterday was promising, he is still lacking that end product. Although his five shots had a total xG of 0.23 – they weren’t premium chances.
Maloney’s men created their best opportunities in the final stages with Allan McGregor forced into action just twice before the 88-minute mark.
Pressure maps
Again, van Bronckhorst’s men made an above-average number of pressures. 181 is considerably higher than the 119 average they have recorded throughout the league season at Ibrox.
Hibs were overloaded regularly down their left and also regularly tried to double up on Kent, making 161 pressures.
Any other business?
Arfield made the most pressures of any Rangers player, vindicating his selection in the front three as the press setter.
John Lundstram offered another promising display making seven interceptions, 13 ball recoveries, 4 tackles and 21 pressures.
Morelos made 46 passes, playing far more regular switches of play than he did the weekend.
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