Rangers 2-0 Hibernian
Raskin (42′) Miovski (45+2′)
Two late first-half goals saw Rangers progress to the League Cup semi-finals over David Gray’s Hibernian.
The home side started positively in front of a sparse Ibrox crowd. Nicolas Raskin returned to the Rangers side following a brief absence and dragged the first shot of the match wide after 5 minutes.
Following a pre-match protest outside Ibrox, a section of the home faithful continued their revolt in the 11th minute, throwing objects onto the park to disrupt proceedings.
Hibs grew into the game and had the first major chance on the 15-minute mark. Josh Mulligan drove at the Rangers’ backline before sliding Kieron Bowie through on goal. The striker rounded Jack Butland at an angle, opting to lay off for Martin Boyle, who sidefooted over.
Boyle had the ball in the net on 19 minutes, rolling past Butland from Dylan Levitt’s pass. VAR correctly disallowed the opener, as the Australian attacker had controlled the pass with his hand.
Nicky Cadden crashed a free kick into the wall after the half-hour mark as the game remained goalless. Rangers had shown positive signs but still lacked a cutting edge in attack.
That changed after 41 minutes, courtesy of Raskin. The Belgian international headed home James Tavernier’s corner kick to the delight of the home support.
Boyle had a golden chance to equalise moments later, but steered a trademark Cadden cross wide.
Bojan Miovski doubled the lead in stoppage time. The ball broke to the Macedonian after positive play by Mikey Moore, slotting home for his first Rangers goal.
Martin’s side started the second half exactly how they ended the first, as Djeidi Gassama curled a powerful strike off the crossbar.
Grant Hanley cleared Miovski’s shot off the line soon after, as Rangers searched for the goal that would finalise the tie. Despite the lead, Rangers looked fragile defensively. Kieron Bowie easily found room in the penalty box from a long ball, but bobbled his shot wide.
Miovski thought he had scored his second goal and Rangers’ third, but was flagged offside in the Hibs box.
David Gray turned to his bench in an attempt to overturn the deficit. Substitute Thibault Klidje found Bowie in the box, but Dean Cornelius blocked the striker’s left-footed shot.
Raskin was a standout for Rangers, adding personality and swagger to the home side’s midfield. He exited the field to a standing ovation after a starring performance.
Youssef Chermiti raced clear in the 88th minute as Hibs pushed men forward. The striker’s shot was blocked by the foot of Raphael Salliinger.
The full-time whistle secured Rangers’ first win in five, the win will ease some of the magnified pressure on Martin’s shoulders. They return to Ibrox on Thursday, opening their Europa League campaign against Genk.
David Gray will be disappointed that his side couldn’t convert any of their major chances. They will have the opportunity to rectify this defeat at Falkirk Stadium on Tuesday night
Rangers: Butland 6 Tavernier 7 Souttar 6 Cornelius 6 Meghoma 6 Raskin 7 Diomande 6 Aasgaard 6 Moore 7 Miovski 7 Gassama 6
Substitutes: Barron 6 Antman 5 Chermiti 5 Curtis Bajrami
Hibernian:Sallinger 6 Hanley 7 Bushiri 6 Obita 6 Mulligan 6 Levitt 6 Chaiwa 6 N Cadden 6 McGrath 6 Boyle 6 Bowie 6
Substitutes: Barlaser 6 Hoilett 6 Klidje 5 C Cadden 5 Molotnikov 5
