Fernandez on target as Rangers edge Hibernian to move up to third

Rangers moved into third place in the Scottish Premiership with a 1-0 win over Hibernian although Danny Röhl’s side provided little inspiration for most of the night at Ibrox.

The Gers fans had begun to grumble about their disjointed side when defender Emmanuel Fernandez netted with a header in the 34th minute for his third goal in 10 appearances and it proved enough to secure all three points.

Rangers were all but knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday night with a 2-1 away defeat to Ferencvaros, which left them with one point from 18 in Europe.

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However, Röhl has found domestic duties less demanding since taking over from Russell Martin and now has six wins and two draws in eight fixtures without finding top form.

Nevertheless, Rangers moved to within nine points of leaders Hearts - whom they face at Tynecastle on Sunday, live on Sky Sports - with a game in hand.

Both sides had early chances.

After Hibs attacker Elie Youan drove a shot over the crossbar, Rangers' much-maligned Youssef Chermiti, back in the side along with Mikey Moore, Findlay Curtis, Mohamed Diomande and Dujon Sterling, drew a save from goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger with an angled drive.

Gers defender Nasser Djiga headed Connor Barron's resultant corner wide.

The visitors, who looked physically stronger all over the pitch, settled into the game with growing confidence.

Rangers could not find any rhythm or fluidity and fans grew increasingly anxious, which in turn affected the players.

Hibs striker Kieron Bowie fired a long-distance drive just over the crossbar and in the 29th-minute, fit-again Sterling - who was starting for the first time this season - cleared a Warren O'Hora header from a corner off the line.

However, it was Rangers who took the lead after a brief spell of pressure soon afterwards, Fernandez glancing in a header from a Sterling cross which caught out the Leith defence.

There was a VAR check for a Hibernian penalty in the 42nd minute for a Sterling handball from a Bowie shot, but there was an offside in the build-up.

Moore began to influence more at the start of the second half but still Rangers struggled to create.

Youan's effort from 30 yards was gathered by home goalkeeper Jack Butland, who, like his Hibs counterpart, was seeing little real action.

The visitors were moving forward with relative ease but could not penetrate the Govan side's unconvincing rearguard, which kept testing the nerve of the home support.

In the 78th minute, Gers substitute Djeidi Gassama raced through to beat Sallinger but was ruled offside, with VAR confirming the decision.

Chermiti fired a shot straight at Sallinger with three minutes remaining, with the Hibernian stopper denying Gassama before the end.

It was another positive result for Rangers but performance levels will surely have to rise in weeks and months to come.