Jack Butland penalty save denies Hibs share of points under Easter Road lights

Hibs dismal home record against Rangers continued with a narrow defeat to the Glasgow side under the Easter Road lights tonight.

David Gray just made one change to his starting XI that beat Aberdeen on Sunday. 

Warren O’Hora was forced off at Pittodrie, so Rocky Bushiri started instead in the back three. 

Rangers manager Danny Rohl meanwhile dropped five players to the bench from the win over Kilmarnock. 

Nasser Djiga, Max Aarons, Connor Barron, Mikey Moore and Youseff Chermiti all started in their place. 

Hibs created the first chance after Nico Raskin was dispossessed in midfield by Jamie McGrath who set up Nicky Cadden, but Jack Butland saved his effort. 

Rangers then went up the other end and opened the scoring. Chris Cadden clearance was blocked and the ball fell to Youssef Chermiti who laid it off to Danilo. 

The Brazilian curled a wonderful finish into the bottom corner of the net from outside the area to the delight of the travelling support. 

Rangers could have had a second when Mikey Moore tested Raphael Sallinger but the Hibs keeper produced a fine save. 

At the other end Nasser Djiga made a tremendous last-ditch tackle to deny Thibault Klidje. 

Chris Cadden was booked for pulling back Jayden Meghoma and in the 22^nd minute Gray replaced him with Miguel Chaiwa and Josh Mulligan moved to right wing back. 

Just before the break Grant Hanley went close with a header from a Nicky Cadden corner but Butland was able to tip the ball away. 

Rangers made two changes at half-time.James Tavernier and Djeidi Gassama replaced Jayden Meghoma and goalscorer Danilo. 

Hibs dominated the second-half and should have equalised when Chaiwa did well to shrug off a Rangers defender before firing the ball across the face of goal, but it struck Klidje’s thigh and spun wide of the post. 

In the 62^nd minute Gray a triple change. Martin Boyle, Junior Hoilett and Elie Youan replaced Dan Barlaser, Kieron Bowie, and Klidje. Rangers brought on Thelo Aasgaard for Mikey Moore. 

In the dying minutes, Hibs had a great chance to score a deserved equaliser when Hoilett was bundled over inside the area by Barron. 

The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot but the normally reliable McGrath’s penalty was saved by Butland and the visitors held on for the victory. 

After the final whistle Gray told BBC Scotland: “It’s tough to take. I don’t think it’s as if we’ve been beaten by the better side.  

“We gifted them a goal and didn’t really create many chances after that. Did we do enough? Probably not. That was down to a lack of quality from us. 

“We certainly got into good areas and had the best two chances [in the second half], including missing a penalty, which was a massive moment. 

“The disappointment is going to sting but there’s no time to feel sorry for ourselves.” 

Hibs: Sallinger, Bushiri, Hanley, Iredale, C Cadden, Mulligan, Barlaser, N Cadden, McGrath, Klidje, Bowie. 

Substitutes: Smith, Youan, Boyle, Chaiwa, Obita, Hoilett, Mitchell, Megwa, Campbell. 

Rangers: Butland, Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius, Aarons, Meghoma, Raskin, Barron, Moore, Danilo, Chermiti. 

Substitutes: Kelly, Fernandez, Tavernier, Curtis, Diomande, Rothwell, Gassama, Aasgaard, Miovski.