Nick Montgomery in Rangers fan nod but admits that's where his frustration with Hibs lay

Nick Montgomery admits he was left waiting and wondering as VAR failed to intervene for Rangers’ second goal.

The Hibs gaffer felt Joe Newell had been fouled by Sam Lammers in the build-up to Nico Raskin’s long-range strike.

But while ref Don Robertson did hold up the restart momentarily for a brief check, there was no trip to the monitor as Raskin’s first goal for the Light Blues was allowed to stand.

Monty said: “It was a tough afternoon. I was disappointed with the manner of the first goal. We were building into the game at that point, frustrating them, and had created a couple of half-chances on the counter. It’s a disappointing goal to concede.

“The second goal, my view is it was a foul on Joe. I’ve watched it back on the video – he gets kicked from behind, into his Achilles, before the ball is touched. I thought VAR would have called that back – but it wasn’t to be. The second half was difficult, a couple of sloppy turnovers, the pressure was off them and they’ve quality players. If you don’t defend properly at the edge of the box, you know that they’ll be clinical.”

Gers were booed off after losing to Aberdeen last time in front of their own supporters. And Montgomery admits his team didn’t do enough to frustrate the home support as they met new Ibrox gaffer Philippe Clement for the first time.

He said: “Rangers have top fans who create a great atmosphere. But they were wanting change. You’re not going to change everything overnight but their players were always going to be more energetic today.

“We quietened the fans at the start, playing some good stuff, but the first goal is really important – it took pressure off them.”