Hibs Exclusive – former skipper on ‘beatable’ but dangerous Rangers as Gray takes men to Ibrox
Murray’s experience on both sides gives him insight into fixture
Rangers are beatable. But just as likely to slap down any opponent who stops paying attention for half a heartbeat.
And Hibs? Well, former skipper Ian Murray has been part of their story for too long to start making bold predictions now.
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The ex-Easter Road favourite, whose experience on both sides of the Rangers v Hibs rivalry makes him well qualified to assess this Sunday’s high noon meeting at Ibrox, acknowledges that David Gray’s men face a daunting challenge in Govan. Even if Philippe Clement’s side are far from the finest Rangers team Murray has ever seen.
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Addressing the strengths and weaknesses on both sides and seeking to scotch the Rangers home crowd’s reputation for fickleness, Murray believes there is always a “different vibe” around this game. Going through a few highlights – and lowlights – in the colours of both teams has taught him not to underestimate the energy generated when this pair meet.
“It’s difficult to gauge this Rangers team at the moment,” said the former Raith, St Mirren and Airdrie boss, now linked with the vacant manager’s position at St Johnstone. “Have I seen better Rangers teams? Yes, absolutely. Have I seen worse Rangers teams? Yeah, I have.
“For me, they are beatable. Definitely. But on their day, they’re capable of hurting you, they really are.
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“Although they’re in a bit of a transition, they’ve gone to Tannadice and not conceded, then played Dundee at home and not conceded. Keeping two clean sheets is an achievement.
“I wouldn’t go into Ibrox with any fear, that’s for sure. I would fancy my chances against Rangers. But the flip side is that, if you go in there and you’re too open, too cocky, they’ll pick you off.
“I’ve seen Hibs a few times this season, especially at Easter Road. It’s a bit like my view of Rangers; I’ve seen worse Hibs teams – and I’ve seen better Hibs teams.
A young Murray chases down Gio van Bronckhorst at Ibrox back in May of 2001.
A young Murray chases down Gio van Bronckhorst at Ibrox back in May of 2001. | SNS Group
“David obviously got his win against St Johnstone a couple of weeks ago. There wasn’t much in that game – and I actually thought St Johnstone were the better team in the first half.
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“They drew with Dundee and, again, I thought Dundee were the better team. And I saw them at home to Celtic, which is a tough game to gauge anybody at the moment.
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“Yeah, there is definitely massive room for improvement. But there are reasons within that, so I certainly wouldn’t put the blame at the manager’s door, that’s for sure.
“I don’t think supporters are captivated by the performances. But winning games can change that.
“Win this one and, absolutely, it changes everything. And they’re capable of doing that, going to Ibrox to win, delivering a massive shot in the arm for everyone – players, manager, supporters who will be rocking up to Easter Road for the next game in a much better place.
Murray (left) and a young Scott Brown compete for the ball at Ibrox as Hibs run out 3-0 Scottish Cup winners in 2006.
Murray (left) and a young Scott Brown compete for the ball at Ibrox as Hibs run out 3-0 Scottish Cup winners in 2006. | Copyright SNS Group
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“It certainly does have a different vibe around it as a fixture. Whether it’s at Easter Road or Ibrox, it seems to get everyone’s backs up, gets the juices flowing a bit.
“Hibs had a bit of success in this fixture for a period, particularly in the Championship. But over the piece, over time, Rangers have kind of dominated the contests.”
Murray played in one of the better experiences for Hibs at Ibrox, as they bounced back from an Edinburgh derby loss to beat Rangers 3-0 on their own patch in November of 2010, recalling: “Yeah, I remember winning 3-0 at Ibrox, a midweek game just after we’d lost to Hearts on the Sunday. Colin Calderwood was the manager at the time – and he was under a little bit of pressure.
“I think he made two changes that night, if I remember correctly, and I was one of them. I was on the bench for the derby, coming back from injury, but I came back in at Ibrox.
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“Liam Miller scored, John Rankin scored – and Francis Dickoh, the centre-half, got the third. We did really well that night.
“But you can go to Ibrox, play really well – and still be beaten. That happens to teams.
“I was at the Rangers game on Saturday evening, against Dundee. And Dundee did actually play really well – but ended up on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline.”
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Visiting teams regularly talk about not just silencing the Ibrox crowd but turning them against their own team. In this instance, a lot may depend on how Rangers fare against Malmo in Sweden on Thursday night.
Yet Murray, who spent two seasons as a Rangers player, is wary of over-playing the possibility of insurrection in the ranks, insisting: “That happened to us a few times when I was at Rangers. But what I would say about the crowd is that it takes quite a lot to turn them. In my experience, they’re pretty loyal to the guys on the pitch, pretty loyal to what it takes to win games.
“It can happen, that they turn against the home team. That’s what we all try to do as the underdog, try to play on that. But deep down, they support their team from the first minute to the last minute. That said, if it isn’t quite working, they’ll let you know about it!”
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Related topics:RangersIan MurrayDavid GrayPhilippe ClementIbrox
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