Early Danilo strike enough as Rangers make Hibernian pay the penalty

New Rangers boss Danny Rohl maintained his perfect start in the William Hill Premiership after Jack Butland’s late penalty save helped secure a 1-0 victory at Hibernian.

The Gers goalkeeper denied Jamie McGrath from the spot in the 87th minute as Danilo’s early goal proved decisive at Easter Road.

After a false start for Rohl away to Brann in the Europa League last Thursday, the German has ignited his reign with league victories over Kilmarnock and Hibs – the first time the Ibrox side have enjoyed back-to-back wins since May.

Gers are now up to third, having leapfrogged Dundee United and Hibs with their hard-fought triumph in Edinburgh.

Hibees boss David Gray made one enforced change to the side that started Sunday’s 2-1 win at Aberdeen as the injured Warren O’Hora made way for Rocky Bushiri, who also took over as captain.

With Rangers facing Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday, Rohl opted to utilise his squad by making five changes to the side which started Sunday’s 3-1 home win over Kilmarnock.

Captain James Tavernier, Thelo Aasgaard, Djeidi Gassama, Mohamed Diomande and Bojan Miovski all dropped to the bench, with Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga, Connor Barron, Mikey Moore and Youssef Chermiti starting in their place.

Hibs created the first chance when McGrath released Nicky Cadden on the left but the wing-back’s low angled drive from the edge of the box was beaten away by Butland.

But it was Rangers who made the breakthrough in the fifth minute.

Chris Cadden’s attempted clearance from the right-back area struck Jayden Meghoma and broke to Chermiti, who drove forward before teeing up Danilo.

The Brazilian took a touch before firing a superbly-executed left-footed shot into Raphael Sallinger’s bottom left-hand corner from just outside the box.

Hibs were rattled by this early concession and Moore threatened a second with a shot from 20 yards that was pushed behind by Sallinger.

Meghoma then saw a volley saved by the Austrian keeper after a corner broke to him on the edge of the box.

Gray made a bold call in the 23rd minute to substitute Chris Cadden, with the right-wing-back having endured a difficult night after picking up an early booking. Miguel Chaiwa went on in his place.

The hosts regained their composure as the first half wore on and they went close to an equaliser just before the break when Grant Hanley’s header from a McGrath corner was tipped wide by Butland.

Rangers made a double change for the start of the second half as Tavernier and Gassama replaced Danilo and Meghoma.

Hibs almost equalised straight after the restart when Chaiwa drove into the box and blasted over a powerful cross from the right for Thibault Klidje – standing just a couple of yards out – but the ball bounced off the striker’s leg and spun wide of the gaping goal.

The hosts were presented with a chance to equalise in the 87th minute when substitute Junior Hoilett was tripped in the box by Barron but Butland dived down to his right to push McGrath’s penalty behind.