Michael Stewart slams Marciano after Rangers go ahead against Hibernian
Michael Stewart has slammed Hibernian goalkeeper Ofir Marciano for his role in Rangers going ahead in the first half of their Premiership clash on Sunday.
Joe Aribo volleyed the Gers into the lead in the 21st minute after Marciano had moments earlier kept an attack alive.
Kemar Roofe’s effort was saved by Marciano but parried back to the Gers, who ended up finishing off their move superbly well via Aribo’s volley.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound just after the goal went in, Stewart praised Aribo for his finish but took aim at Hibs goalkeeper Marciano.
Stewart said: “I don’t think that’s a great save from Marciano. I think that’s straight at him and he palms it back into a dangerous area – he’s got to do better.
“It’s not easy but you can see Jack Ross’ face, he’s raging.
“The initial header comes in and Marciano is in the middle of his goal, I thought he could have done better, he palmed it right back up into a dangerous area and Rangers were able to recycle it.
“It was a great finish from Joe Aribo. First of all, great ball in from [Borna] Barisic but Marciano, he goes down and bangs it back into a dangerous area, Aribo picks it up on the edge of the box, spins it out wide and the ball comes back around about seven or eight yards out but on the angle and he volleys it with his left foot.
“It’s a great goal.”
Too harsh?
From a Rangers perspective, Marciano did quite well to save Roofe’s effort, didn’t he?
Yes, he pushed the ball back into play but being able to make a save like that and push the ball out of harm’s way is a tough thing to do.
Allan McGregor is probably the only goalkeeper in Scotland who could have pushed that away easily.
Marciano had two options, let the ball go in or push the ball away no matter what and, obviously, he went for the latter.
Hibs’s defence could have dealt with the ball after but as always, the goalkeeper gets moaned at more than anyone else because that’s the way football spectators operate.
It was a stellar finish by Aribo though – let’s not forget that.
The Nigeria international has had a superb season for the Gers so far with his strike versus the Hibees being his eighth goal of the campaign in all competitions.
Let’s hope he can build on that even more after the break.
In other Rangers news, BT Sport pundits are fuming over what the Gers have decided to take a stance on.