Arveladze pounces to provide points

Rangers 2 Hibernian 1

Rangers held off a second-half onslaught from Hibernian at Ibrox yesterday to maintain their 100 per cent home record and a one-point advantage over Celtic.

The first half had been a cavalcade of opportunities for the home side, but once Tom McManus pulled one back in the 45th minute, the leaders were forced to dig deep to hold on.

Rangers attacked from the off and Michael Mols fired narrowly off-target in only the second minute. Lorenzo Amoruso headed a good chance over before Shota Arveladze denied himself a contender for goal of the season by also failing to hit the target after flicking the ball over a bemused Paul Fenwick.

It was clear that a goal was coming and in the 11th minute Mols met a cross from Fernando Ricksen that thundered in off the underside of the crossbar. Arveladze then made it 2-0 after Nick Colgan could only parry Fernando Ricksen's effort.

Rangers appeared to have the match under control as a result but McManus had other ideas and conjured up a 45th-minute equaliser by latching on to a punt upfield from Colgan that was headed on by Mixu Paatelainen and lofted over Klos.

Rangers' chances dried up in the second half as Hibernian went in search of an equalisier. However, fortune favoured the hosts as a Paatelainen drive ended up being blocked by team-mate McManus. Arthur Numan then had to hack away wildly in front of his own goal to stop Paco Luna pouncing with two minutes remaining.

Goals: Mols (11) 1-0; Arveladze (35) 2-0; McManus (45) 2-1.

Rangers (4-4-2): Klos; Ross, Malcolm, Amoruso (Konterman, 52), Numan; Ricksen, Ferguson, Arteta (Hughes, 58), Caniggia (Latapy, 68); Mols, Arveladze. Substitutes not used: McGregor, Dodds.

Hibernian (4-4-2): Colgan; Orman (O'Neil, 67), Smith, Fenwick, Zambernardi; McManus, Brebner, Wiss, James; O'Connor (Luna, 63), Paatelainen. Substitues not used: Caig, Jack, Doumbe.

Referee: M McCurry (Fife).

Bookings: Hibernian: James, Luna, Zambernardi, McManus, Paatelainen.

Man of the match: Arveladze.

Attendance: 48,798.