Soccer: Young midfielder keeps cool and does the business for Rangers

Hibernian 0 Rangers 1

Rangers were in danger of ending the day seven points behind leaders Celtic until Hughes struck in the second minute of stoppage time.

In the end their 1-0 victory over Bobby Williamson’s hard-working young side cut that deficit to a more manageable five and McLeish was quick to hand out the plaudits to the Scotland Under-21 international.

He said: “Stephen Hughes was under enormous pressure in the dying seconds. He was in front of goals and could so easily have blasted it over the bar. It was a beautifully controlled strike.”

McLeish praised his team for persevering to the final whistle. He said: “It has got to be hard on Bobby as Hibs made it hard for us. We lacked a bit of potency, certainly in the first half, in the front areas.

“Hibs missed a right good chance but to be fair we put them under a lot of pressure in the last 15 minutes.

“To keep winning and staying close to Celtic I think is a credit to them.”

Ian Murray, who was later forced off by an injury, squandered an early chance when he blasted over from seemingly unmissable range.

Williamson said: “Ian Murray had a great opportunity but unfortunately I think it took a bobble just before and he didn’t hit it with the right part of his foot. We had another one cleared off the line but when you play Rangers you have got to take chances and opportunities and we never managed to do that today.

“Rangers showed they are prepared to scrap it out and fight for everything and they managed to get that in the end.”

HIBERNIAN: Andersson, Smith, Murdock, Doumbe, Orman, Brebner, Murray (Dobbie 56), Thomson (Nicol 77), Brown, O’Connor, Riordan.

RANGERS: Klos, Ross, Khizanishvili, Berg, Ball, Capucho (Burke 57), Ricksen, Hughes, Lovenkrands, Mols (Ostenstad 69), Arveladze.

Referee: S Dougal (Scotland).

Scottish Premier: Dundee Utd 2 Hearts 0.