U21 League - Hibernian 1 vs. 0 Rangers

Played at Easter Road, Edinburgh.

Att: 669

The young Rangers, featuring trialist striker Arturo di Napoli went down to a last minute goal at Easter Road on Monday night.

It was a game like many at this level in Scotland; plenty of skillful play but most of the effort was centered on keeping possession rather than finding much outlet in terms of shots on goal.

Di Napoli played the entire 90 minutes - Alex McLeish had apparently asked for the game to be moved to the afternoon in order to watch the player as Rangers leave for Copenhagen on Tuesday morning but Hibs declined the switch. Saying that, he didn't miss much. Di Napoli saw little of the ball, even when in the second half he dropped back more often to look for it when the service he was getting was poor. He was tightly marked for the whole game and had little chance to show what he has got in his locker.

For Stephen Dobbie there was an outing against his former teammates and he did himself proud causing Rangers numerous problems - especially in the second half. Like Barry Nicholson he may be a transfer we come to regret.

There was little action of note in the first half until the close minutes - until then a Stephen Hughes chip shot in the 17th minute and a yellow card for Hibs defender and eventual winning goal scorer Jonathan Baillie for obstructing Tom Brighton in the 26th.

With five minutes to go Hibs Alan Reid played the ball into Kevin Nicol who shot just past the goal. Shortly thereafter Dobbie turned Hutton inside out in the left corner before crossing the ball into the area which Rangers keeper Allan McGregor did well to gather ahead of inrushing Hibs players.

Right on the half-time whistle Di Napoli was yellow-carded as he showed his studs when tackling Hibs defender Steven Whittaker.

The second half was a lot livelier with Stephen Dobbie causing all sorts of problems until he was substituted.

In the first minute Steven Glass crossed the ball into the Rangers area from the left wing and Rangers were lucky that Daniele Fortunato was able to match Dobbie's pace and block his shot.

A couple of minutes later a combination of the Kevins - Thomson and Nicol - produced a move which ended with Jonathan Baillie receiving the ball with his back to goal but cleverly getting an accurate shot off.

55 mins - Hibs Steven Whittaker booked for scything down Brighton from behind.

In the 64th minute Thomson was again the provider, this time to Colin Murdock who had his header saved.

66 mins - Billy Gibson booked for tackle on Jay Shields.

There were few positives for Rangers apart from the excellent performance put in by Stephen Hughes who retained possession well under pressure and his unhurried distribution of the ball made him man of the match.

In the 76th Di Napoli claimed for a penalty when Alan Reid took him from behind as he received a pass from Walker, but the referee waved play on. Colin Murdock was booked for a foul on Billy Gibson.

With four minutes to go Rangers were denied twice in a matter of seconds with Stephen Hughes heading a corner kick off the bar and Chris McLeod firing in the rebound which was beat out by the keeper.

The winning goal came in the 90th minute. Danile Fortunato conceded the free kick which was the source of the goal by stupidly tugging Whittaker's shirt about ten yards out from the area on the Hibs right wing.

Kevin Thomson took the resultant free kick and he whipped it smartly into the box where it was met by the on-rushing Jonathan Baillie who gave the Rangers keeper no chance.

HIBERNIAN

1 Morten Hyldgaard
2 Steven Whittaker
3 Roland Edge
4 Jonathan Baillie
5 Colin Murdock
6 Alan Reid
7 Kevin McDonald (Jay Shields 53)
8 Kevin Nicol (Andrew Cruickshanks 74)
9 Stephen Dobbie (Garry O'Connor 70)
10 Kevin Thomson
11 Steven Glass

12 Trialist gk
13 Garry O'Connor
14 Jay Shields
15 Andrew Cruickshanks
16 Steven Notman

RANGERS
1 Allan McGregor
2 Maurice Ross
3 Daniele Fortunato
4 Andrew Dowie
5 Alan Hutton
6 Billy Gibson
7 Trialist
8 Stephen Hughes
9 Darryl Duffy (Davidson 67)
10 Alexander Walker
11 Tom Brighton

16 Callum Reidford (gk)
12 Chris McLeod
14 Brian McLean
15 Robert Davidson
16 Ross McCormack

REFEREE - COLIN BROWN