Rangers 1 Hibernian 1

December 12th 2001
Scottish Premier League
Attendance:

Scorers:
Rangers: Ricksen.
Hibernian: Luna.

This is a copy of a report of the game as it appeared in the Scotsman on Thursday 13th December 2001.

Hibs spoil Advocaat’s night

ALL the elements that normally influence the course and the outcome of a game were, almost predictably, suspended for this endlessly bizarre 90 minutes. This was a game that was governed entirely by Sod’s Law.

Dick Advocaat’s farewell, Alex McLeish’s new golden era and Hibs’ indifferent form through this troubled season were impotent against an immutable pre-destiny which dictated that Rangers would fail to win. They could even have lost, requiring a sizeable piece of luck at Fernando Ricksen’s equaliser of Paco Luna’s opener.

That really would have been unfair, as the Ibrox side spent most of the night crowding the Hibs penalty area, but displaying their most damaging flaw - desperate finishing just when composure is most needed.

Even the small crowd of Hibs supporters huddled in the south-east corner of the stadium seemed dumbfounded at the moment Luna gave them the lead. Predictably, the silence did not last long.

Their first instinct was to acclaim, their second - within about half a minute - to parody in song the perceived "betrayal" by their erstwhile manager. "Judas, Judas, what’s the score?" they chanted in the kind of gleeful gloating favoured by those who have not had many opportunities in the recent past to indulge such whimsy.

The elation would certainly be heightened by the recollection of the series of convertible opportunities Rangers had contrived and failed to convert in the early stages of the match.

But those misses would reacquaint the home support with the unease they have experienced on too many occasions recently, watching their team squander more chances than any can afford. Even if there was a growing conviction that Rangers could be made to regret their profligacy, Luna’s goal was still something of a shock.

David Zitelli took possession on the left and his driven, swerving cross was met by Luna, who, from about eight yards, sent a ferocious header high to the right of Klos.

Rangers’ earlier ascendancy had, by then, noticeably drifted as John O’Neil, Zitelli, Grant Brebner and Mathias Jack began to justify pre-match questions about the midfield chosen by Advocaat. Two of the three - Arthur Numan and Fernando Ricksen - are essentially full-backs, while Russell Latapy has been something of a peripheral figure since his move from Hibs in the summer.

But, before the visitors did begin to come to terms with the pace of the game - and even dictate it - Rangers should have been on the scoreboard.

A throw from the right saw the ball played on to Shota Arveladze, whose controlled volley from 15 yards forced a save from Colgan, to be followed by a move of genuine class which should have brought a telling reward.

Numan played a perfectly-weighted pass down the left to Arveladze and the Georgian made for the dead ball line before supplying Ronald de Boer in the middle of the penalty area. The Dutchman slipped the ball back to Tore Andre Flo, but the big Norwegian’s slowness in shooting allowed Paul Fenwick to make the block.

Advocaat’s response, having waited 45 minutes, was to revert to type by throwing forwards at his problem. Scott Wilson was withdrawn from defence and Stephen Hughes sent on to the midfield, with Neil McCann replacing Flo and, later, Caniggia coming on for Latapy. De Boer moved forward to form a three-man line with McCann and Arveladze and, although the equaliser arrived soon enough, it had more to do with good fortune than tactical nous.

When McCann played the ball into the crowded Hibs area, De Boer, back to goal, once again coolly rolled it back to the advancing Ricksen. The Dutchman’s low shot appeared to be heading straight for the arms of Colgan before it was deflected to the goalkeeper’s left by Fenwick, an extremely undeserved penalty for a defender who had made a terrific contribution.

But the encouragement Rangers took from the goal restored their earlier menacing superiority and they would have led comfortably but for some dreadful finishing. McCann was first up, released on Arveladze’s through pass with only Colgan to beat. He pulled the ball too wide of the keeper, barely managing to keep it in play at the bye-line.

Numan’s attempt was even worse. Having enjoyed the break of the ball off Gary Smith, the Dutchman had Colgan to beat from six yards and drove the ball straight at the goalkeeper.

It is in matches such as these that you come to realise why wee Dick needed hair replacement treatment.

The Teams:

Hibernian:
Colgan; Orman, Smith, Fenwick, Murray; Brebner, O’Neil, Jack, Zitelli; McManus, Luna.

Rangers: Klos; Ross, Moore, Wilson, Vidmar; Ricksen, Latapy, Numan; De Boer; Flo, Arveladze.

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