New signings feature as Hibs and Rangers share the points at Easter Road

Hibs and Rangers shared the points after a hard-fought end to end encounter at Easter Road this afternoon. 

David Gray made two changes to his starting XI following last weekend’s heavy defeat to Falkirk. 

Club captain Joe Newell returned in midfield with Elie Youan replacing Kieron Bowie up front.  

All three new January signings – Dane Scarlett, Owen Elding and Kai Andrews were named on the bench. 

Danny Rohl has made five changes to his side.  

Miguel Chaiwa picked up an early knock to the face and was subsequently replaced by Andrews. 

The Rangers players were rightly aggrieved when Thelo Aasgaard’s delivery was nodded into the six-yard box and knocked behind by Grant Hanley but the referee gave a goal kick. 

At the other end Youan sent in a lovely cross but Newell ‘s header flew wide of the post. 

 Youan then sent a curling shot toward the top corner before Jack Butland managed to tip the ball away. 

 Boyle picked up a silly booking at the halfway line and he was followed into the bood by Newell for a foul on Nico Raskin. 

The bookings continued when Jordan Obita was upended by Rangers right-back Dujon Sterling. 

From the free-kick Dan Barlaser curlled in a wicked cross that came off the head of  Raskin and whizzed narrowly wide of the back post. 

Boyle was then sent through for a one-on-one with the keeper after a mistake from Emmanuel Fernandez but  Butland narrowed the angle and saved the shot. 

Just before the break Jordan Obita then sent a great cross into the area but Youan’s header went well wide. 

A lovely turn and pass from Andrews found Youan on the edge of the area but the Frenchman had a wild fresh-air swipe at it. 

After the restart Jack Iredale made an important interception in his own penalty box after a poor clearance from Sallinger almost gifted Rangers a route to goal. 

 Boyle found Youan who cut inside but his effort was  blocked by the recovering John Souttar. 

Newell and Boyle made way for Eldon and Rudi Molotnikov. 

Hanley picked up a knock midway through the second-half denying a Rangers attack and was replaced by Nicky Cadden sparking a reshuffle in the Hibs defence. 

Dane Scarlett replaced Youan and within seconds used his speed to win a corner. 

Mikey Moore thought he had opened the scoring after firing a shot past Sallinger but an offside flag went up and VAR confirmed the decision. 

At the other end Nicky Cadden sent in another fabulous cross which fell to Kanayo Megwa but his effort was blocked. 

Eldon tried his luck from long range but was off target then brought out a save from Butland after a run from Starling. 

Near the end Rangers introduced Bojan Miovski and Max Aarons to replace Thelo Aasgaard and Dujon Sterling. 

Nicky Cadden’s corner found the head of Bushiri but Butland saved easily. 

Six minutes of stoppage time were added and Nedim Bajrami was well off target from long range and at the other end Molotnikov had a chance but was unable to get the ball from under his feet. 

In the dying minute Bushiri provided a thunderous challenge to clear inside his own penalty box and the points were shared. 

After the final whistle Gray told BBC Sportsound: “We deserved all three points, if I’m honest. We had the best chances. We could be a bit more clinical. A little bit of frustration we haven’t won the game, but that’s a good place to be off the back of the last two results.

“It was much more like us. It’s very much about making sure we keep working hard, sticking together. It was a young group towards the end, but once we get a few back I’m confident we can end the season strongly.”

On Kai Andrews’ debut: “He’s someone who was up here before. He’s got a very good pedigree, played at a very good level. He grew into the game as it went on. But, to a man, the boys were excellent.”

On the end of the transfer window: “Maybe a couple of additions if it can be done. I do expect there to be a bit movement at the end of the window.”

Hibs: Sallinger, Bushiri, Hanley, Iredale, Megwa, Chaiwa, Barlaser, Newell, Obita, Youan, Boyle. 

Substitutes: Smith, Levitt, N Cadden, Hoilett, Andrews, MacIntyre, Molotnikov, Scarlett, Elding. 

Rangers: Butland, Sterling, Souttar, Fernandez, Meghoma, Raskin, Chukwuani, Skov Olsen, Aasgaard, Gassama, Chermiti. 

Substitutes: Kelly, Djiga, Aarons, Tavernier, Diomande, Antman, Bajrami, Moore, Miovski. 

Attendance 18,227