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Hibernian 1 Rangers 2: Boyd on song to keep alive Euro vision for Rangers

John Nisbet
Wednesday 03 May 2006 00:19 BST
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Rangers kept their slim Champions' League hopes alive at Easter Road as Kris Boy's double secured the points last night. Hibs, though, put on a spirited display, which saw Derek Riordan find the net.

Boyd scored 17 goals for Kilmarnock before making a transfer window move to Rangers where he now has 18. The Rangers manager, Alex McLeish, said: "I didn't believe he would do so well and it is a credit to him to come to Rangers and show the mental toughness he has done to hit the ground running. His goal record is incredible, phenomenal."

Rangers need Aberdeen to take at least a point from Hearts tomorrow to ensure the race for second place in the Premier League goes down to the final game of the season at Ibrox.

Yesterday Rangers were made to toil for the opener by a tough Hibs outfit and only managed to score after 35 minutes. Dado Prso swept the ball to the feet of Thomas Buffel, who raced into the box before slicing into the path of Boyd, who rifled it home. This galvanised the home side, and after a period of sustained pressure they drew level on 71 minutes. A free-kick 10 yards outside the box was directed at Riordan and he sent his shot curling into the net.

Just when Rangers thought their Champions' League dream was over, however, Boyd got his second of the night just two minutes later. Prso was again the provider, delivering the ball perfectly to the feet of his fellow striker to slot in from close range.

Hibernian: Malkowski; Whittaker, Caldwell, Shields, Murphy, Shiels (Konte, 71), Sproule, Glass, Riordan (Lynch, 79), Konde, Fletcher (Dalglish, 52). Substitutes not used: Brown, Murray, McCluskey, Gary Smith.

Rangers: Waterreus; Andrews, Kyrgiakos, Smith, Burke, Gavin Rae, Buffel (Lovenkrands, 45), Hemdani, Murray (Alex Rae, 83), Prso, Kris Boyd. Substitutes not used: Klos, Novo, Malcolm, Ashikodi, Lennon.

Referee: M McCurry (Scotland)

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