Ofir Marciano hails ‘character’ of Hibs’ players in Rangers’ comeback

Hibs’ goalkeeper Ofir Marciano believes that the team’s character was the reason they were able to fight back and secure a share of the points after going 2-1 down to top of the table Rangers at Easter Road on Sunday.

‘Rocky’s’ form this season has seen him recalled to the international scene and he played in Israel’s recent 1-1 draw with Scotland at Hampden and that continued with a man of the match performance despite losing two goals, the first from open play.

Hibs currently sit in third place after an impressive start to the campaign but many thought that they would not be good enough for on-form Rangers who had not conceded a goal in their first seven games.

Drey Wright however ended their 114-year record by firing the ball into the net from a Martin Boyle cutback.

Alfredo Morelos equalised then Scott Arfield made it 2-1 with a superb strike although Marciano did get a hand to the shot but could only divert it into the net via the post.

Christian Doidge however levelled the score with a powerful header and the game finished all square.

After the final whistle Marciano told Hibernian TV: “To get back from 2-1 down, it showed a lot of character and that’s something that we are really good at this year. There were a lot of positive things that we can take forward to our next games.

“We knew that we were going to face a really good side today and  we needed to accept that we wouldn’t be dominated every second of the game but we need to know our strengths and to go to counter attacks.

“In a game like today we needed to minimise the goals that they score and obviously try to score as much as we can.”

With the score level, Marciano pulled off an incredible double save to deny Arfield and effectively secure the draw. When asked about it he replied: “It was pure instinct, to be big and get up as fast as I can and try to cover as much as I can. I’m happy to have a good contact with the ball and managed to save it.

“We are on a good journey and as the manager said during the week, even if we lose today we have to keep going and put out a performance like today and I’m sure we will have a good season.”