Hibs 0 - 2 Rangers: Improving Hibs undone by Nikica Jelavic

They will at least have left Easter Road with the impression that things are getting better under the Irishman. Hibs were not rolled over here, even if the scoreline points to a fairly comprehensive defeat.

But then again, some of these supporters might still wonder why they do it. Why do they fork out hard-earned money to be left frustrated at the end of a wintry afternoon? Hibs looked improved, no question, although they still suffered for the infuriating lapses which have dogged them in recent times. And then there was the Leigh Griffiths chance that he should have buried just before half time. Had he struck at this timely moment the outcome could so easily have been very different.

In the end, the player only made his mark by infuriating many among the 3,793 Rangers supporters when making a gesture as he scrambled back to his feet after slipping during the second half. While the issue of whether players should react to goading from the crowd is a topical one given the Luis Suarez case in England, it was a minor concern on a day of mounting worries for both teams. Will Rangers ever score another goal from open play? And will Hibs win a match?

Fenlon promised to investigate the Griffiths incident. “That is the first I have heard of it,” he said. “I will have to see it before I can comment on it. If he has done it, then you can’t condone it and we will make sure we sort it out. But I have a lot more to worry about.”

Hibs would have been worth the 1-0 lead Griffiths knows he should have given them. Not because they had been especially good, more because Rangers had again toiled to create even a half-decent scoring chance. Hibs managed to do this on one occasion at least but Griffiths, apparently surprised to have been presented with the chance after Lee Wallace allowed the ball to slip under his foot from Ivan Sproule’s cross, scuffed his shot.

“Sparky is a great finisher and puts those away in training all the time,” said Sean O’Hanlon later. Hibs fans must wish the club had built the new East Stand on the side of the pitches at their training centre at East Mains, such is the number of times we are informed of high-level performances posted during training. Once again Hibs had their deficiencies exposed when it mattered, on a Saturday (early) afternoon.

Michael Hart struggled at right-back and any hint of menace posed by Rangers in the first half originated on his flank. He was badly caught out for the penalty even if Wallace, according to O’Hanlon, could have stayed on his feet if he had wanted to. Why would he though, given what could be earned by making the most of Hart’s injudicious tug? O’Hanlon also highlighted the role played by the away supporters, who immediately screamed for a penalty.

“The Rangers fans are brilliant for doing that and putting pressure on referees,” said the centre-half. “That’s why it is important to have a good following. That’s why they say they can be a 12th man. I think they maybe helped the referee with that decision.”

All is fair in love and war, however. O’Hanlon then sought to employ some psychology of his own as Jelavic placed the ball on the spot. “I just wanted to get into his head,” he said. “It’s worked a couple of times over the years.

“I just said: ‘Make sure you keep it down because it is going to go over’,” he added.

Jelavic took the advice, drilling his effort low and hard to Graham Stack’s right. The goalkeeper could almost complain of having been caught cold. Nearly an hour had elapsed and he still hadn’t had a save to make. Not that Allan McGregor, at the other end, was being made to sweat to any great degree, although he was relieved to see Paul Hanlon’s header fly over just two minutes after Rangers had gone ahead. He would need to exert himself later in the game, however, when turning away a deflected by from the substitute, Danny Galbraith.

The main difference between the teams was Jelavic, who battled away up front to ultimately good effect. The penalty was his 13th goal of the season. Goal number 14 took only another eight minutes and had its source once more in Thomas Bendiksen. The 22 year-old Norwegian wasn’t even included among the 29 names listed in the Rangers squad on the back of the match programme. And yet his introduction, after 56 minutes, helped change the course of the game. His flick into the box led to Hart tangling with Wallace at the penalty incident, while he also won the corner that saw Jelavic clinch the game with a header, after the striker had shrugged off the attempt by Hart to mark him.

The existence of such talent within the ranks will hearten Rangers fans, who fear the probable consequence of Jelavic’s effectiveness in front of goal. Ally McCoist seemed confident that he will have the last say in the matter.

“I don’t think there is any doubt about that,” he said, when asked if it would be his call over whether Rangers entertain any interest in the player.

“Jelavic showed today just how important he is to our football club,” the manager added. “Deprived of Steven Naismith and, temporarily at least, Kyle Lafferty, his worth to the team has shot up as has his value.”

McCoist may need to be at his persuasive best to ensure the player is able to make a full contribution to Rangers’ efforts to retain the title.

There is, though, a higher purpose, and that is the club’s survival in the face of HMRC’s dogged pursuit of the huge sum they claim is owed. The first few weeks of next year are significant indeed for the Ibrox club.