James Tavernier stars as Rangers claim victory over Hibs

James Tavernier scored one goal and set up another as Rangers beat Hibernian 2-0.

Tavernier’s fifth-minute penalty sent Rangers on their way to victory at Ibrox.

Hibs had a decent spell during a first-half blizzard but Alfredo Morelos put the game beyond the visitors with an emphatic finish in the 57th minute, although Shaun Maloney’s side rallied late on.

The roar that greeted the second goal was soon eclipsed as news came through of Aberdeen’s equaliser against Celtic, but Rangers ultimately finished the night still one point behind the cinch Premiership leaders.

Rangers had Glen Kamara in for the injured Ryan Jack while Hibs lined up in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Lewis Stevenson in central midfield.

The visitors’ plans came unstuck when Paul McGinn made an unnecessarily risky challenge on Ryan Kent near the byline and referee Nick Walsh immediately pointed to the spot. Tavernier sent his penalty down the middle.

Tavernier set up Scott Arfield with a great ball over the top shortly afterwards but the midfielder cushioned his volley just wide.

Both sides lost defenders to injury with McGinn and Leon Balogun going off in quick succession. On-loan Fulham winger Sylvester Jasper came on for Hibs as Chris Cadden dropped back to right-back, and the former Motherwell man was fortunate not to concede a spot-kick for a push on Kent.

Borna Barisic entered the fray for Rangers for the first time since being taken off following an awful first-half performance at Celtic Park and the left-back was soon booked for a wild challenge on Jasper.

Hibs had chances midway through the half. Allan McGregor palmed away Kevin Nisbet’s first-time effort and Ewan Henderson’s free-kick and Demetri Mitchell curled another set-piece onto the roof of