A late goal by new signing Ianis Hagi denied Hibs a share of the points at Ibrox last night.
Jack Ross made three changes to the starting XI that drew with St Mirren last weekend with Paul McGinn, Adam Jackson and Steven Whittaker replacing David Gray, Darren McGregor and Daryl Horgan.
Rangers started brightly and Ofir Marciano produced a fine save to deny Alfredo Morelos before Joe Newell went close from a tight angle.
Hibs took the lead when Scott Allan’s free-kick was headed into the air. Allan McGregor failed to deal with the danger and the ball fell to Paul Hanlon who fired the ball into the net, silencing the home crowd.
Rangers equalised just before the break when George Edmundson was quickest to react when his own header was blocked and slammed the ball into the net.
The second half belonged to Rangers and started with Hagi firing wide.
They then had a series of corners which the Hibs’ defenders holding on before Haig sparked wild celebrations when he fired home from a narrow angle with six minutes remaining.
Doidge had a chance in time added on but McGregor saved his header then Marciano produced a superb save to deny Morelos.
After the final whistle Ross told BBC Scotland “Before the game I spoke about us wanting to be more competitive than we had been against Rangers in the previous two games this season – and we were.
“I was proud of the effort. We were resolute, disciplined and hard working. It’s hugely frustrating not to take anything from the game. But there were a lot of positives.”
Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Edmundson, Barisic, Arfield, Davis, Hagi, Aribos, Morelos ,Kent. Subs: Foderingham, Kamara, Katic, Barker, Jones, Stewart, Polster
Hibs: Marciano, McGinn, Jackson, Hanlon, Stevenson, Whittaker, Omeonga, Boyle, Allan, Newell, Doidge. Subs: Bogdan Horgan, McGregor, McNulty, James, Hallberg, Murray,
Referee Bobby Madden
Attendance: 49,427
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.
