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IT might be billed as the game where the magic hat lost its power but beware of those who jump to conclusions based on results alone.

In truth, this was an excellent Rangers performance at a tricky venue against a well-coached team and a win would not have flattered the boys in blue.

A number of tactical tweaks saw Rangers in an unfamiliar formation in the first half and it’s fair to say that it looked like the wrong game to be adopting a new set-up. Our manager is nothing if not determined to stick to his mantra of ‘if plan A fails, plan B is to do plan A better’ and after a sticky opening half hour the players seemed to adjust and you could reflect and say the tinkering just about worked.

Despite an amazing spell of utter domination and fantastic football from Rangers after the break, Hibs scrapped away and got their reward by exploiting one of our key areas of weakness in defending set-pieces.

It was undoubtedly a poor moment for Wes Fotheringham and a costly individual error but also the latest in a long line of disappointing goals from these positions. We need to be more streetwise because every manager in Scotland is going to have noted our struggles, and one thing the cloggers of the Championship don’t lack is big strong boys who can head the ball.

After a fantastic run, we are now seeing other teams adapting to our strengths and there are clear areas of weakness to exploit.

Danny Wilson is an accomplished pro, who will come good but his performance yesterday was abysmal and Dominic Ball has snatched his starting jersey. Ball is young and rash but has some terrific attributes and it was very telling that the minute there was a flashpoint in the game with Fraser Fyvie’s dangerous tackle he was first on the scene to back up his team-mates.

IN PICTURES: Hibs v Rangers

I would want him in my corner that’s for sure and that’s the kind of commitment and team ethic every manager strives for.

Nicky Clark was another who had a bad day and despite his effort he just isn’t a player who is capable of making a difference at even Championship level. We desperately need another striker in the window or if anything happens to Martyn Waghorn we will have major issues.

One player who stood out was the effervescent Jason Holt, a bargain signing at 65k and a player of real technical quality. Unusually for a Scot he plays in the space between the lines, always probing and moving and looks to have modelled his game on the diminutive Catalan master Andres Iniesta.

(Image: SNS)

Clearly he’s not a patch on the World Cup winner but, at our level, his creativity and perpetual motion is fantastic to watch and it’s easy to see why former SFA youth supremo Mark Wotte singled him out as one of our finest talents at an early age. If Holt can keep playing at the same level he is sure to become a huge asset for the club and a major player next season.

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I sense the Rangers fans, though disappointed and aware of our flaws can see the immense improvements made since last season. We are five points clear. We are the most stylish team in Scotland. We are the league leaders and to quote the legendary Bill Struth, we welcome the chase.

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