Hibs Lack Of Killer Instinct Apparent Again

Hibs lost to Rangers on a sunny afternoon in Glasgow but will be rueing the chances they missed as they could have ran out easy winners had they been more clinical in front of goal.

A lack of ruthlessness in the penalty area has long been a complaint from the support and once again the fans were left frustrated at the team failing to convert gilt edged chances.

Ibrox was packed to the rafters as the glory hunters amongst the Govan side’s support returned after their team won five on the bounce but despite the fervent backing from the stands, Rangers were often second best to their capital rivals.

Jason Cummings squandered two chances in the first half, the first from six yards out thanks to a superb Lee Wallace block, and another minutes from the break where Boyle teed him up perfectly but his weak effort from twelve yards out was easily deflected away by Foderingham in the ‘Gers goal.

The second half began with an onslaught from the home side and Oxley produced a fine stop to turn a Jason Holt effort wide of the post but the game turned in a two minute spell when Hibs should have scored but found themselves a goal behind.

Cummings ran onto a long through ball wide on the right and squared a perfect ball for Henderson who was alone on the edge of the box with no blue jersey near him but the on loan Celtic midfielder inexplicably rushed his effort and ballooned over.

The action headed back towards the Hibees goal and Lee Wallace’s cross hit Dylan McGeouch’s hand and a harsh free kick was given by Steven McLean the referee.

McGeouch’s hand was by the side of his body and made no movement towards the ball and such was the pace in Wallace’s cross it was impossible for him to get it out the way.

The referees misjudgement was to cost Hibs dearly as Tavernier whipped in a fantastic free kick which dipped under the bar at the last minute leaving Oxley blameless but he’ll probably question his starting position near to his front post.

Hibs should have equalised a few minutes later when Henderson again had another fantastic opportunity from a similar position to his first but he sliced his effort and the chance was gone.

Another attack saw Stevenson fail to control the ball in a great position and the feeling that it wasn’t going to be Hibs day was almost complete.

All in all Alan Stubbs will be disappointed to take nothing from the match but Hibs need to find a clinical striker or this campaign could easily falter like last season’s. We’re now six points behind Rangers after only three games and it can’t be allowed to increase prior to the next meeting of the sides in November.