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Nvagers' Blog: Rangers against the Hibees Friday, 12 February 2010 19:14 Written by Nvager

Rangers versus Hibernian at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, on Sunday February 14th, 2009. Kick-off 1:30 PM.

Rangers remain top of the SPL despite drawing with Motherwell in midweek. We have 55 points from 24 games and a goal difference of +40. Celtic are in second place with 47 points (8 points behind) with a goal difference of +22. Our opponent on Sunday, Hibernian, is in third place with 43 points, having played a game less, and has a goal difference of +16.
Celtic play early Saturday at Pittodrie versus Aberdeen whose manager Mark McGhee has hinted that he will rest some players for this match to save them for their Scottish Cup replay versus Raith Rovers on Tuesday. Let's wait and see.

If we win all our games going forward Celtic will not be close to winning the title. It is all in our hands. Win our games and Celtic will remain at best in second place.

The great news is that Walter will have a full squad from which to chose his side. Some may not be fully match fit, but fit nevertheless. Edu and Beasley are back in full training and added to the squad for Sunday.

This I hope will allow Walter to play a similar formation to that which was rampant with goals in December. Beasley and Novo out wide and Miller and Boyd in the middle. The big difference is that all of these players are recovering from injuries and are not yet fully match fit. Perhaps Lafferty or Fleck will start out wide?

Nevertheless I do not want ever again to see both Naismith and Whittaker on the wing in any game. They are not wingers and were not good at all versus Motherwell.

In defence we need to look sharp and distribute the ball much better to our midfield and forwards. No just lumping it aimlessly up front. Our fullbacks need to close down early on their wingers and not allow them to fire in crosses. I am concerned that Weir will have a hard job versus Stokes, who is a good poacher of goals.

We also need to come out flying and not be waiting until half time to raise our level of play. Let's start from the kick-off and get going at a very high tempo. Do not let the Hib's team settle at all. Dominate proceedings from the start. Get our wingers into action and let M & B knock the goals in.

Although this game is being played on Valentine's Day there will be little love lost between the players. There is far too much at stake for both teams.

I think Walter will start this team: McGregor, Whittaker, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, Novo, Davis, Thomson. Lafferty, Miller and Boyd. i think we will hit some better form.

I predict a 3-1 win for Rangers and a little spark of good form going forward.

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