Hibs hopes of a fourth place finish were boosted with a victory over Rangers at Ibrox tonight coupled with Motherwell’s defeat to Celtic at Fir Park
David Gray kept faith with the same players following their win over Falkirk. Josh Mulligan was listed among the substitutes having been out of action since January with an ankle problem.
Rangers made two changes after their defeat to Celtic.
Dujon Sterling started at right-back in place of James Tavernier and Thelo Aasgaard replaced Tochi Chukwuani in midfield.
Rangers started on the front foot and Raphael Sallinger did well to save a powerful header from Emmanuel Fernandez.
But it was Hibs that took the lead when Jordan Obita’s cross from the left found an unmarked Martin Boyle who volleyed home from 10 yards.
Moments later Hibs almost added a second. Miguel Chaiwa sent Owen Elding free down the right.
The youngster cut inside and his cross was headed over by Josh Campbell.
At the other end Mikey Moore shot was blocked and fell to Thelo Aasgaard who looked certain to score but Sallinger produced a fine save.
Youssef Chermiti then beat two defenders before cutting back to Aasgaard.
His shot from point-blank range was blocked and cleared, but Connor Barron tried a spectacular volley from some 25 yards out and Sallinger tipped over the bar.
Then just before the break Rangers equalised with a superb free-kick from the edge of the area.
After a lacklustre second-half Rangers almost took the lead in the 73rd minute when Moore’s side-foot effort was well saved by Sallinger.
The rebound rolled out towards Bojan Miovski, but the substitute fired well over the bar.
A double save from Jack Butland denied Dane Scarlett then Felix Passlack as Hibs pressed for a late winner.
And that arrived in the last minute when Passlack broke clear down the right and played a perfect ball across the face, where substitute Dane Scarlett was waiting on the goal line to tap home.
That result means Hibs are now one point behind Motherwell and the pair meet at Easter Road on Saturday.
Rangers: Butland, Sterling, Djiga, Fernandez, Rommens, Barron, Diomande, Aasgaard, Moore, Chermiti, Antman.
Substitutes: Kelly, McGuire, Aarons, Souttar, Meghoma, Chukwuani, Skov Olsen, Gassama, Miovski.
Hibs: Sallinger, O’Hora, Hanley, Iredale, Passlack, Barlaser, Chaiwa, Obita, Campbell, Boyle, Elding.
Substitutes: Smith, Megwa, Newell, C Cadden, N Cadden, Mulligan, Andrews, Bushiri, Scarlett, Suto.
