Back to where it all started. And still in his old tricks.
In July 2015, James Tavernier marked his first ever Rangers appearance with a free kick in a Petrofac Challenge Cup tie at Easter Road. The Ibrox squad was then in the championship and still striving to complete The Journey back to the divisions.
Eight years later – and 399 games later – Tavernier is Premiership champion, Scottish Cup winner and played in a European final. A lot has changed. But his prowess on the solid piece remains unchanged.
The No. 400 appearance for Rangers was greeted in characteristic fashion with a 101st goal for the club. A daring free-kick in the first half caught David Marshall on his near post, dealing a blow to Hibs’ continental ambitions in the process.
No one but Tavernier would have considered an attack from such a sharp angle. As a summer of widespread change looms at Ibrox, Michael Beale will surely still value a 31-year-old captain capable of such extraordinary offensive numbers.
James Tavernier (centre) celebrated his side’s second goal as Rangers took control
Tavernier (left) previously scored his first goal for Rangers at Hibernian’s home ground and did it again today
Rangers’ second goal also had meaning. Ianis Hagi had not scored since January 18, 2022, just days before suffering the ACL injury that sidelined him for a year. He celebrated this small milestone with passion, just like his teammates.
Todd Cantwell knocked in a late third after Marshall, who was having better afternoons, was wrong-footed.
“I was really happy with the goals, for James in his 400th game that was another fantastic moment from him as captain to get us ahead,” admitted Beale.
“That was Ianis Hagi’s first goal in 16 months and after what he’s been through I’m happy for him.
“Ianis is a guy who is so professional and works so hard. Football is his life and to have that taken away for a period of time as it was for him is truly cruel.
“Living away from family and all, there were some dark days. But the rehabilitation team and physios did a great job getting him back into the game.
“He is still trying to get his fitness and competition legs back to this level. It’s different from training and playing in the strange reserve game.
“You could see from his teammates that he is a welcome member of the group. He is a player from whom you can expect much more next season.’
While the win is too late this season to matter to Rangers, the game had greater significance for Hibs.
Ianis Hagi (left) scored his first goal for Rangers since January 2022 as Hibs slumped to beat
Lee Johnson’s side had chances – Josh Campbell missed a snipe and Kevin Nisbet hit the post – but didn’t take any until Paul Hanlon headed into a stoppage time corner.
With a fifth-place finish, they can still technically take third, but they need to beat both Celtic and Hearts while hoping other results go their way. To close the four-point deficit to their city rivals in fourth place, something needs to be taken from the champions on Wednesday night.
Tavernier’s insolence provided the only moment of clarity in a frenetic first half. The boundless energy on display from both sides wasn’t always matched by composure in the final third.
In reality, supplies from the Rangers captain were a threat from the start. A corner kick after two minutes caused panic in the home defence, with John Souttar eventually making a header which fell against the crossbar as Marshall stretched. There was warning.
Rangers got even closer two minutes later, when another corner from Tavernier led to a Leon King header. It looked purpose-bound until it was smuggled off the line with Ryan Jack lying in wait.
King was chosen at centre-back due to a 10-week injury to Connor Goldson which will sideline him in pre-season. It was the youngster’s first start for Rangers since a 1-1 draw at St Mirren last November.
Hagi celebrated emphatically after spending most of the season sidelined with an injury
Up front, Fashion Sakala had an eye on goal when Tavernier picked him out with a neat pass into the penalty area. The Zambian shifted feet before signing a fairly comfortable save from Marshall.
Hibs were unchanged after an impressive, if ultimately unrewarded performance in a 0–0 draw against Aberdeen eight days earlier. Elie Youan had been almost unplayable at Pittodrie. Here he found it more difficult to penetrate.
The French winger tricked Tavernier with some spinning tricks before moving to Nisbet to shoot a down header wide. That was as close as Johnson’s men came before falling behind after 32 minutes.
Souttar’s sweeping long range pass to Cantwell was the catalyst. It fell perfectly for the ex-Norwich midfielder to check before being blocked by CJ Egan-Riley. Referee Alan Muir awarded a free kick – much to the fullback’s dismay. Maybe he knew what was coming. No one else did.
Located to the left of the box in a fairly narrow corner, it looked like an opportunity to try and find a teammate’s head. Tavernier, however, had other ideas.
Investing skill and imagination alongside a dollop of old-fashioned cheek, the Ibrox skipper saw the gap left by Marshall and slammed the ball into his near post with pace and dip. It was a brilliant effort.
Nevertheless, the goalkeeper regrets his part in the concession. By the time Marshall scrambled over his line to get a hand to the ball, he was already in.
Hibernian players couldn’t handle the effectiveness of Rangers at Easter Road
Hibs should have leveled four minutes before the break when Nisbet used the outside of his boot to pick out Campbell. Although the midfielder had to stretch to make contact, that was no excuse for not hitting the target from the box.
Nisbet nodded just wide of target after the restart when Robby McCrorie was put under pressure. Rangers’ concerns were raised when Nico Raskin had to be substituted with a knee strike – Beale is optimistic he will be fine – but a second goal came on 55 minutes. It was a special moment for Hagi.
Sakala annoyed Will Fish enough to get Tavernier’s long pass in his path. When a right foot strike was blocked by Paul Hanlon, the Romanian followed with his left, firing the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
Nisbet headed the post and John Lundstram saw Marshall’s effort go over the head before Rangers made it 3–0 in the 86th minute.
Tavernier’s shot was blocked by Fish, but bounced back to travel towards goal. Marshall was already on the wrong foot, but couldn’t adjust when the ball slammed into him. Cantwell was ready to knock in.
Hanlon then headed in a Joe Newell corner to give Hibs a little comfort, but – just like July 2015 – this was not their day.