Glasgow Rangers 3 Hibernian 0

Last updated : 12 February 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Rangers welcomed back Barry Ferguson for his home debut after his £4.5million transfer from Blackburn Rovers, but it was Dado Prso who turned out to be the hero with two goals either side of half time.

Thomas Buffel added the third to ensure a thoroughly merited Rangers victory which saw the Ibrox side leapfrog Celtic at the top of the table on goal difference.

Hibs arrived with a reputation for flowing football but were totally dominated by Rangers with Ferguson pulling the strings in midfield.

How Rangers were only one goal up at half time only they will know. From the second minute when Nacho Novo shot wide from six yards they squandered chance after chance.

A free-kick from Dean Shiels just failed to find Sam Morrow's head, but little was seen of the Hibs attack as they were pinned back for long spells in front of keeper Simon Brown.

Brown made a fine save to deny Prso before Gary Caldwell stepped in to block the same man at the end of another flowing move.

Alan Hutton did well to cover from full-back when he blocked off Garry O'Connor as the Hibs striker threatened.

Novo was again guilty when he slashed wide Buffel's pass before Brown produced the final double save from Prso and Novo.

Marvin Andrews made a fine sliding tackle on O'Connor before Rangers at last made the breakthrough with a simple goal.

Brown just managed to turn Hutton's shot behind but from the resultant corner by Michael Ball, Prso was left unmarked in the six-yard box to head home his 15th goal of the season.

Prso hit the post from a fine Ferguson pass, and then was adjudged offside as he shot home a Buffel pass.

Fernando Ricksen was booked for disputing the decision before Novo capped a miserable first half by seeing his penalty saved by Brown diving to his left after Gary Smith had taken the legs from under the Spaniard.

There was still time for Ricksen to swing wildly at the ball after neat work by Novo on the line before the referee's whistle for half time gave Hibs some respite.

Rangers went two up ahead early in the second half when Prso drilled his shot home from just inside the penalty area after good work by Buffel and Novo.

Ronald Waterreus made a fine block to deny O'Connor after Andrews got in a tangle before Rangers added a third.

From Novo's layoff Prso threaded a superb pass through to Buffel and the Belgian international outpaced Smith before shooting low past Brown.