Hibs ratings from Ibrox defeat as David Gray's men push Rangers all the way amid late drama

Hibs pushed Rangers to the very limit on a night of high drama at Ibrox – but suffered another agonising defeat in a painful visit to Glasgow. An Emmanuel Fernandez goal 10 minutes before half-time did the damage as David Gray’s men lost to the Light Blues for the third time this season.

The Easter Road side were well in the contest. And they mounted a ferocious late assault on the Rangers goal. But could not get the ball over the line. Something of a recurring theme, in this season of missed chances.

A Hibs team boasting the eclectic threat of Elie Youan, making just his second start since Boxing Day of 2024, more or less cruised through the opening half hour of a game offering little in the way of goalmouth action. Had Warren O’Hora put a bit more oomph on his goal-bound header from a corner just before the 30-minute mark, instead of allowing a Rangers defender to clear off the line, few could have complained about the visitors taking the lead.

But a moment’s lapse in concentration is all it takes. As Hibs know only too well from their previous visits to this ground.

On this occasion, they just about managed to clear the danger from a corner kick whipped into the box. But when Dujon Stirling returned the ball with interest, sending in a peach of an in-swinging ball from an unpromising angle, Fernandez rose to power a header past Raphael Sallinger.

Rangers survived a VAR penalty appeal before the break, the home side thankful for an offside decision negating a handball that might well have sparked some discussion. As energised as they might have been by going a goal up, they still looked likely to hand Hibs a chance.

Gray shuffled his pack early in the second half, throwing on Joe Newell and Miguel Chaiwa for Dan Barlaser and Jamie McGrath. Martin Boyle, who had been battling illness, and Thibault Klidje were also both introduced heading into the last 20 minutes, as Hibs chased the game.

Boyle immediately took up where Chris Cadden had left off, tearing down the right flank in a wingback role. With the home crowd growing more anxious, it felt as if Hibs were building up to something.

They were certainly all over Rangers in the closing stages, with Klidje seeing a shot blocked and the crowd whipped up into a frenzy of frustration every time the visitors – with Junior Hoilett now in an all-out attack formation - swarmed forward.

The game ended with Grant Hanley and even goalkeeper Rafa Sallinger loping forward to join the attack. It felt like Hibs deserved more for their efforts, on balance. Stop us if you’ve heard that one before.