When Hibs beat Rangers three times (and Celtic twice) in the space of seven months

Last month an injury time goal from Callum Wright secured a 2-1 victory for Hibs at Ibrox. 

The result created history as this was the first time a Hibs team have won at Ibrox in three consecutive seasons in the top-flight. 

On 5 April 2025 goals from Dylan Levitt and Martin Boyle gave Hibs a 2-0 victory and on 13 May 2026, goals from Boyle and Dane Scarlett was enough to secure a 2-1 victory and end any chances of Rangers winning the title. 

These results brought back memories from older Hibs fans who recalled Hibs winning three games against Rangers in the space of just seven months. 

And remarkably all three game were semi-finals. 

The first victory came at Hampden Park in a Scottish Cup semi-final replay on 24 April 1972. 

After an initial 0-0 draw, goals from Pat Stanton and Alex Edwards secured a dominant victory for Eddie Turnbull’s side to reach the final.  

That night was arguably Hibs finest ever performance at the national stadium such was their superiority over the Ibrox side. 

Hibs form did not continue into the final as they lost 6-1 to Jock Stein’s Celtic in front of 106,000 fans just over two weeks later. 

Famously a defiant Turnbull told the media that Hibs would be back and true to his word the pair met again two months later. 

But firstly Hibs had to overcome Rangers again.

On 2 August 1972 the semi-final at Easter Road was against a Rangers side who fielded nine members of the team that won the European cup Winners Cup a few months previously was attended by 27,111. 

The 3-0 scoreline flattered the visitors although the game is probably best remembered for disgraceful scenes off the pitch. 

The match was held up on several occasions as the furious Rangers fans invaded the pitch and hurled bottles into the home supporters massed in the old ‘Cowshed’. 

A double from Alan Gordon and goal from club captain Pat Stanton secured the victory but the behaviour of the visiting ‘fans’ that night resulted in the closure of the shed and the subsequent installation of bench seats. 

The Final was a thrilling affair and two goals from Alan Gordon gave Hibernian a comfortable half-time lead. An own goal by Billy McNeil appeared to secure victory but this time the Celtic ‘fans’ invaded the pitch upsetting the Hibs players’ rhythm. 

Incredibly Celtic levelled the score but extra time goals from Jimmy O’Rourke, a 40-yard wonder strike and a superb solo effort from Arthur Duncan meant the trophy would be heading to Leith. 

Then on 22 November Hibs beat Rangers 1-0 in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park thanks to a wonderful solo goal from right back John Brownlie. 

Two weeks later on 9 December 1972 Hibs lifted the trophy after a 2-1 victory over Celtic. Pat Stanton opened the scoring and Jimmy O’Rourke made it 2-0 before Kenny Dalglish pulled one back near the end. 

That was the first time Hibs had lifted a major trophy at Hampden Park for 70 years. 

And of course, three weeks after that the same eleven players visited Tynecastle Park for the 1973 New Year’s Day game, but that’s another story.