Hibernian 1 – 3 Rangers

Skipper James Tavernier celebrated his four-hundredth aggressive look for Rangers with the opening purpose in a 3-1 Scottish Premiership win over Hibernian at Easter Highway.

The Gers right-back beat Hibs goalkeeper David Marshall with a 30-yard free-kick within the thirty third minute and Ianis Hagi doubled the guests’ lead within the fifty fifth minute together with his first purpose since January 2022, earlier than his prolonged knee damage absence.

Todd Cantwell added a 3rd within the 88th minute earlier than Hibs defender Paul Hanlon diminished the deficit in added time.

The defeat leaves Lee Johnson’s aspect 4 factors behind fourth-placed Hearts and 6 behind Aberdeen, with European locations doubtlessly accessible as much as fifth place within the league so long as Celtic beat Inverness within the Scottish Cup remaining.

Hibs host Celtic on Wednesday earlier than the Edinburgh derby in opposition to Hearts on the ultimate day of the season. Rangers, with second place assured, end the marketing campaign with a house recreation in opposition to Hearts earlier than travelling to St Mirren on the final day of the season.

Rangers too sturdy for Hibs

Michael Beale already had a prolonged damage record when he confirmed earlier than the sport that defender Connor Goldson was dominated out for 10 weeks, the issue unspecified. Nonetheless, the Gers boss made solely two adjustments to his beginning line-up with Hagi in for Rabbi Matondo and 19-year-old centre-back Leon King changing Goldson for his first begin since November.

Tavernier had the Hibs defence in bother with a sequence of early corners wherein defender John Souttar’s header got here off the crossbar and King’s header was blocked inadvertently by Gers midfielder Ryan Jack.

Hibs, unchanged from final week’s draw at Aberdeen, labored their method into the sport however Rangers remained the extra harmful, a neat transfer ending with striker Vogue Sakala forcing a save from Marshall with a low drive.

The house aspect started to manage higher with the Ibrox menace and within the twenty third minute striker Kevin Nisbet got here shut with a header from an Elie Youan cross, after the Hibs wideman had acquired the higher of Tavernier.

Nonetheless, the Gers captain made a extra marked impression on the sport after Cantwell was fouled large on the left by CJ Egan-Riley. With most anticipating a cross into the center, Tavernier curled the ball in on the close to put up with Hibs captain Marshall sluggish to get throughout and unable to maintain the ball out the online.

The Easter Highway aspect took a while to recuperate however may need levelled within the forty first minute when Nisbet’s great curling move discovered Josh Campbell on the again put up however the midfielder might solely hit the side-netting on the stretch.

Early within the second half, Gers ‘keeper Robby McCrorie, who had seemed unconvincing, was out of place when Nisbet’s close-range header floated simply previous the put up, simply earlier than Scott Arfield changed the injured Gers midfielder Nicolas Raskin.

Rangers’ second purpose got here from Tavernier’s lengthy ball into the field which was headed down by Sakala and though Hagi’s first effort was blocked by Hanlon – it seemed as if the ball hit the arm of the Hibs defender – the Romania worldwide drove in on the second try.

Marshall saved one other effort from Sakala and on the different finish, Nisbet headed substitute Ewan Henderson’s nook in opposition to the put up – it was not going to be Hibs’ day.

Within the 79th minute, Marshall tipped a John Lundstram drive over the bar earlier than Cantwell prodded in from shut vary to seal the factors after the Hibs ‘keeper did not take care of a Tavernier effort, with Hanlon netting a comfort purpose for the hosts when he headed in a nook within the third of 4 added minutes.

Beale hails ‘unbelievable’ Rangers mentality

Rangers supervisor Michael Beale: “The mentality of the group in the present day was completely unbelievable as a result of the preparation could not have been any worse. We misplaced Alfredo [Morelos] and Glen Kamara in coaching on Saturday, Rabbi [Matondo] was on the bench however wasn’t capable of go on, Scott Wright we misplaced in a single day as nicely.

“Scott Arfield got here on however is taking part in by way of an issue, so truly coming into the sport – and understanding Hibs are in such good kind, unbeaten in 4 – I assumed it could be an fascinating day for us. I assumed we had been clearly the higher crew.”

Johnson: European soccer nonetheless a risk

Hibernian supervisor Lee Johnson: “I believe it is clearly on, as a result of there’s the potential that fifth is obtainable as nicely. Celtic are a prime crew so that you’d anticipate them to be tremendous aggressive in a cup remaining and all of us within the combine can be hoping that Celtic win that recreation for that very cause.

“However it should be an necessary time for us over the subsequent days and that is why we want all people. It must be a membership efficiency in addition to people and I embody the followers in that.”

What’s subsequent?

Wednesday twenty fourth Might 7:00pm


Kick off 7:45pm

Rangers host Hearts of their subsequent Scottish Premiership match on Wednesday evening, dwell on Sky Sports activities. Hibernian are at dwelling to Celtic on the identical evening.

Each video games kick off at 7.45pm.