Hibs were unlucky to leave Ibrox empty handed despite dominating for much of the game against Rangers tonight
David Gray made three changes to the Hibs team that started the 3-0 win against Falkirk last weekend.
Afcon-bound Rocky Bushiri dropped out but Jordan Obita, who is also due to play in the competition, came in with Grant Hanley and Elie Youan.
Martin Boyle and Miguel Chaiwa were listed amongst the substitutes.
Rangers head coach Danny Rohl made five changes to the side that started Thursday’s Europa League defeat at Ferencvaros.
Youssef Chermiti, Mikey Moore, Findlay Curtis, Mohamed Diomande and Dujon Sterling replaced Bojan Miovski, captain James Tavernier Nico Raskin Djeidi Gassama and Danilo.
First chance fell to Youan but he fired over the Rangers crossbar after a poor defensive header.
At the other end Connor Barron’s corner was headed wide by Nasser Djiga.
Kieron Bowie was fouled near the corner flag and from the resultant free-kick Youan flicked the ball high into the air and Jack Butland tipped it over the bar.
Hibs should have had another free-kick in a dangerous position when Bowie was clearly fouled by Max Aarons, but referee Don Robertson waved play on.
Youan then broke from midfield and played a one-two with Jamie McGrath but he was crowded out inside the area and the danger was cleared.
Bowie tried his luck from distance, but his effort was well wide.
Hibs players claimed for a handball in the Rangers box following a McGrath corner but a quick VAR check indicated th ref was correct.
From a second corner Warren O’Hora’s back post header was cleared off the line by Dujon Sterling.
But despite Hibs dominance it was Rangers that tool the lead in the 34th minute against the run of play when a superb Sterling cross found Emmanuel Fernandez who glanced a header past Raphael Sallinger.
The goal gave the hosts some confidence and they took control of the latter stages of the first-half.
Hibs had a penalty claim when a Bowie shot was blocked by the arm of Sterling but a VAR check showed the Hibs striker was offside in the build up.
Just before the break goalscorer Fernandez was booked for a tactical foul on Bowie.
McGrath picked up an early second-half booking for a trip on Mikey Moore.
A Cadden cross was aliced clear by Fernandez and from the well worked corner, Youan tested Butland with a powerful strike from the edge of the area.
In the 56th minute Gray made a double substitution with McGrath and Dan Barlaser making way for Chaiwa and Joe Newell.
Rangers also made a double switch moments later, with captain James Tavernier and Clinton Nsiala on for Aarons and Sterling.
The home fans claimed a penalty when Nasser Djiga went down under a challenge from Jack Iredale but the ref was correct in not awarding the spot-kick.
With 20-minutes remaining Boyle and Thibault Klidje replaced Cadden and Youan.
And at the same time Thelo Aasgaard and Djeidi Gassama replaced Moore and Findlay Curtis for Rangers.
Josh Mulligan tested from 25-yards but the Rangers keeper did well to hold the strike.
Junior Hoilett replaced Iredale in the 75th minute as Gray looked for an equaliser.
Connor Barron then made way for Nico Raskin.
Djeidi Gassama fired the ball into the net in the 78th minute but the flag went up and after a lengthy VAR check the decision stood.
Hibs threw everything into attack and a Hoilett cross to the back post was punched away by Butland.
Then Hoilett ‘s header at the back post found but Klidje’s attempts to finish on the turn, was blocked.
With two minutes remaining Youssef Chermiti had the chance to kill the game, but Sallinger did well to push the ball wide for a corner.
Sallinger also did well to deny Mohamed Diomande and Rangers held on to take the points.
Rangers: Butland, Aarons, Sterling, Djiga, Fernandez, Meghoma, Barron, Diomande, Moore, Curtis, Chermiti.
Substitutes: Kelly, Tavernier, Nsiala, Raskin, Cameron, Aasgaard, Dowell, Gassama, Danilo.
Hibs: Sallinger, O’Hora, Hanley, Iredale, C Cadden, McGrath, Barlaser, Mulligan, Obita, Youan, Bowie.
Substitutes: Smith, Boyle, Newell, Chaiwa, Klidje, Hoilett, Mitchell, Megwa, Campbell.
