Sports
HIBERNIAN inflicted Rangers’ fourth successive Scottish Premiership defeat as Dane Scarlett struck in the 90th minute to secure victory at Ibrox.
The visitors – in the hunt for a guaranteed Conference League spot – took an early lead through Martin Boyle, with Thelo Aasgaard levelling just before the break.
Rangers enjoyed plenty of possession but showed little quality and, just as the match appeared to be drifting towards a draw, Scarlett snatched victory.
Rangers have now lost four top-flight games in a row for the first time since 1983, while Hibs cut the gap on fourth-placed Motherwell to one point with the sides meeting on the final day in a straight shootout for fourth place.
Reeling from successive post-split defeats at the hands of Motherwell, Hearts and Celtic that dynamited their title challenge, Rangers were caught cold inside four minutes.
Jordan Obita floated a cross in from the left and Boyle nipped in behind a static defence to volley home from 10 yards.
Rangers started to take control as the half wore on and Hibs had goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger to thank for saves from Aasgaard and Youssef Chermiti, as well as a wonderful stop to clawed away Connor Barron’s volley.
However, there was nothing Sallinger could do when Aasgaard thrashed a free-kick from the edge of the box to level things up just before half-time.
Rangers enjoyed plenty of the ball after the break, but lacked the quality in the final third to find a way through the Hibs defence.
They were almost made to pay when a rare Hibs counter caught them short at the back, and only a terrific double save from Jack Butland prevented substitute Scarlett and then Felix Passlack grabbing an unlikely winner.
The duo were not to be denied as Passlack drove to the bye-line and fired across goal for Scarlett to bundle home from close range to send the away fans wild.
Analysis: Hibs take advantage amid Tavernier controversy
There was shock pre-match when the Rangers team sheet landed and captain James Tavernier’s name was not on the list.
On what should have been his final home appearance before his 11-year spell with the club draws to a close at the end of the season, the Englishman was missing from the squad entirely.
Rumour had it he had left the stadium, only to then appear on the pitch pre-match for a presentation with Ibrox great John Greig to mark his years of service. He received a warm ovation.
There was little for Rangers to play for with their third-place finish already confirmed, and it seemed Hibs greater desire won the day.
They had to withstand a lot of second-half pressure, but Grant Hanley and the rest of the defence dealt with the Rangers threat – such as it was – pretty comfortably.
And when the time came to strike, Hibs took their moment and Scarlett’s late winner sets up a mouthwatering showdown with Motherwell.
Fourth place is guaranteed Europe. Fifth will still be enough should Celtic win the Scottish Cup final.
What they said
Rangers manager Danny Rohl: “Today showed exactly why we need a strong, front-footed cut in the summer to change a lot of things on and off the pitch. That needs done and that is what we will do.
“When the opponent comes in our box three times and we concede twice and we have to work hard to create chances, this is not enough to keep us winning games. We said we have to be ruthless in both boxes.
“A lot of effort, but not enough. We have to demand more from ourselves otherwise we will not achieve our big goals in the future.”
Hibernian manager David Gray: “If I’m being honest, it was very much a smash and grab because of the way the game went.
“Rangers started really well and our goalkeeper had to make four or five massive saves which kept us in the game.
“With 15 minutes to go, we knew we needed to win, I threw strikers on, threw caution to the wind, went to a back four and opened it up. Even at that time, Rangers had a big chance before we scored.
“I was a bit disappointed with how we played at times but I’ve just said to the players, it was all about winning for us.”
BBCsports
A.I
May 14, 2026
Tags: Hibernian Martin Boyle Rangers