Paul Heckingbottom’s unbeaten run came to an end at Ibrox yesterday and that result, coupled with Hearts defeat to Kilmarnock ends Hibs hopes of a European spot next season.
Heckingbottom made one change to the starting XI that drew with Hearts last Sunday with Ryan Gauld replacing Florian Kamberi.
Rangers started brightly and Scott Arfield headed narrowly wide on the opening minute then at the other end Gauld headed a David Gray cross just past the post.
Darren McGregor did well to block Jermaine Defoe’s shot and Armfield fired over as the hosts took control of the game.
In the 28th minute Rangers broke quickly and Ofir Marciano did well to save from Ryan Kent.
The home side eventually took the lead just before the break when Ryan Jack set up Steve David down the left wing and the midfielder’s inch perfect cross was prodded home by Defoe from close range.
Daniel Candeias replaced Kent at half time and almost made it 2-0 moments later after some fine play by Arfield but his strike hit the side netting.
Hibs made a double switch in the 60th minute with Kamberi and Thomas Agyepong introduced for Gauld and Daryl Horgan.
Both substitutes made an immediate impact and the Manchester City youngster almost equalised with a powerful strike from 15 yards.
He then found Kamberi wide on the right but the Swiss striker’s cross just missed Marc McNulty.
Top scorer Alfredo Morelos replaced Defoe, and Fraser Murray was introduced for Mark Milligan as Hibs pushed forward.
With five minutes remaining, Murray’s cross was deflected into the path of Kamberi whose side footed volley was saved by Allan McGregor at point blank range.
The Rangers keeper then went from hero to zero after he kicked out at McNulty when clearing the ball and referee Bobby Madden had no hesitation in producing the red card.
He also booked McNulty and awarded the free-kick to Rangers. As they had used all three substitutes, Ross McCrorie took over the goalkeeper’s gloves.
Hibs pressed forward and were awarded a corner kick. The Rangers fans behind the goal kept the ball and a new one was produced.
As Mallan’s corner kick flew into the box, the original ball was thrown back onto the field and referee Bobby Madden surprisingly gave a drop-ball and appeared to deny the Hibs players the chance to compete for it.
The ball was kicked up the field and Rangers held on for their first victory over Hibs in six games.
Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Katic, Flanagan, Kamara (McCrorie 79), Jack, Davis, Arfield, Kent (Candeias 46), Defoe (Morelos 74). Substitutes not used: Foderingham, Worrall, Halliday, Barisic.
Hibernian: Marciano, Gray, McGregor, Hanlon, Stevenson, Milligan (Murray 78), Omeonga, Mallan, Horgan (Agyepong 62), Gauld (Kamberi 62), McNulty. Substitutes not used: Bogdan, Bartley, Shaw, Spector.
Referee: Bobby Madden.
Attendance: 49,662.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
