Gerrard Delighted To Overcome Big Challenge

STEVEN GERRARD was delighted with how his side overcame the ‘really big challenge’ of Hibernian at Ibrox this afternoon.

The Light Blues gaffer saw Ianis Hagi’s first-half strike secure all three points for Gers against the Easter Road club, and Gerrard called for his men to ‘enjoy’ the victory having nullified the various weapons the visitors posed in their armoury.

Speaking to Emma Dodds, Neil McCann and Alex Rae on RangersTV after the game, he explained: "It was a really tough game. We knew that Hibs would be a really big challenge for us today.

"They are an organised team and they stay in the game really well. Their 'keeper has made some fantastic saves to keep the score at 1-0, and while it is at 1-0, you are always going to have those little 'nearly' moments towards the end.

"It is another clean sheet and another big win - Hibs carry a threat as well and we have beaten a good team today.

"The games are coming thick and fast. The conditions are changing - it was really windy today and really wet and I'm not sure people outside of the stadium realised that.

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261220 Rangers vs Hibernian, Hagi Goal Celebration 63

"We had to stand up to a physical game - I thought we were physical at times and Hibs were, and that is what you would expect with two teams going right at it for the three points.

"But, you can see why Hibs have caused teams a lot of problems this season as they have the threat of [Martin] Boyle's pace, [Kevin] Nisbet is really clever and they have a lot of power throughout their XI.

"To get over the line and win it, the players should really enjoy this game as they have beaten a good team."

Gers had to work hard to keep yet another clean sheet, particularly as the minutes ticked down.

Gerrard was thrilled with how they did that through strong game management, and added: "I am delighted with the organisation of the team and what the players are giving in terms of application.

"Maybe, last season or the season before, that might have been a fixture that might have been taken away from us with maybe an individual error or players with a lack of experience or not having the bodies from the side to come and help you get over the line in situations like that.

"But you can see at the end there - [Borna] Barisic putting his body on the line, Greegs [Allan McGregor] coming to catch to relieve a bit of pressure and people winning headers and competing.

"Certainly, in this league you have got to compete and do the ugly bits first before you can show your quality, and the lads are certainly doing that.

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261220 Rangers vs Hibernian, McGregor 50

"We were trying to get messages on from 75 minutes on to get them to press forward more and put more pressure on their back line so they couldn't go long and direct.

"But we were giving some silly fouls away and Hibs were pushing - you have to give them credit - they were at a stage of the game where they could gamble a bit and were leaving a lot of men in our back line and it was coming long from the 'keeper at times.

"Sometimes even though you want a high press and you want people to get up the pitch, sometimes that is really difficult and you have to pay credit to Hibs for that.

"We tried to make changes - bringing Scott [Arfield] in and moving Joe [Aribo] up a line to be a bit more solid and have more people on the second balls to manage the game better.

"Maybe it didn't work today as the ball just kept coming in and coming in."

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