Rangers' lack of intensity and cutting edge against Hibs exposed

As much as Willie Collum is in the firing line, particularly for the dismissal of John Lundstram, the performance was nowhere near the level expected from Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men.

We’ve analysed the StatsBomb to provide an overview of events at Easter Road.

Match Stats

The stats tell us Rangers edged the match in terms of the xG (expected goals), although if we assess the number of shots the Ibrox side had compared to their opponents, it’s clear not enough was created in the final third.

Race Chart & Shot Maps

If we look at Rangers' Shot Map below it lays bare the ineffectiveness in front of goal. James Tavernier's penalty aside, the only effort on target was the headed goal from Tom Lawrence in the second half.

It's quite simple if Rangers want to win football matches they need more output in the final third.

Rangers failed to test David Marshall until Tavernier’s penalty at the tail end of the first half. They also never created anything of note beyond the 55th-minute mark, although it’s important to factor in the red cards shown to Lundstram and Alfredo Morelos that resulted in a more defensive approach as the Light Blues tried to contain and protect their slender lead.

As evidenced following the Colombian's dismissal, Hibs laid siege on the Rangers goal and they got their reward in stoppage time when Josh Campbell rifled past Jon McLaughlin from the edge of the penalty area.

If we analyse the Hibs equaliser in detail we can see it was a sweet strike, the xG before the ball was struck was 0.04 but once it left his boot it recorded 0.75. In Layman's terms, a goal every three out of four times. There has been some criticism levelled at Connor Goldson and Jon McLaughlin, but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say it was a brilliant finish.

The initial Hibs equaliser on 51 minutes was a poor goal for Rangers to concede with error points in the build-up. Rabbi Matondo is beaten to the ball too easily while Tavernier allows Thody Élie Youan to ghost in behind and supply a ball to the near post which Martin Boyle converts.

Rangers’ second goal was well-worked with Lawrence nodding home a pinpoint Borna Barisic cross to score his third goal in as many games. It was a fantastic header as the 0.97 xG indicates and the Croatian full-back deserves great credit for the outstanding delivery.

Pass Maps

If we analyse the Pass Maps it gives an idea of just how out-of-sorts Rangers were. They lacked any real goal threat in either half and we can see just how deep James Sands and Connor Goldson were in the second period as the Light Blues were under the cosh following the two red cards.

It will be a concern to van Bronckhorst and the coaching staff that his team aren’t exerting more influence on the game and causing opposition defences greater problems. Simply put, it cannot be allowed to continue or else they will be playing catch up throughout the season.

Pressure Maps

The Pressure Maps above also tell us Lee Johnson’s men targeted Rangers’ left-hand side through Chris Cadden and Martin Boyle, while Rangers were largely reliant on Tavernier on the opposite flank. Again, however, we need to factor in the two dismissals as the possible reason why Rangers were struggling to press higher up the pitch.