After defeating nine-man Hibs in a furious Easter Road duel, Rangers are still vying for a domestic treble.
After a thrilling draw against Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday night, Philippe Clement and his team won in the capital to advance to the quarterfinals where they will face Celtic and Aberdeen, with Hearts or Greenock Morton rounding out the trio. With nine games remaining in the Scottish Premiership, the Ibrox men, who won the League Cup at the same location earlier this season, are enjoying another Hampden day out.
Come May, the Light Blues’ campaign might be remembered for all the right reasons as they completed another match in a Cup tie that had everything. Though it was a quiet first half, Hibs came dangerously close to taking the lead. After Connor Goldson sent the ball back to Jack Butland, Myziane Maolida stopped him due to a sloppy touch. As the Hibs attacker closed in on the Ibrox No1, the ball struck the post and went out for a corner. Shortly after, David Marshall made a huge save to deny Cyriel Dessers, who had fashioned a good chance out of nothing by pursuing Jordan Obita.
Shortly after, Obita got actively engaged when he pulled down Dujon Sterling in the box, earning a penalty. Marshall denied James Tavernier, but the fastest man on the field, John Lundstram, bundled in the rebound to throw the away crowd into frenzy. Shortly after, Sterling was faced with an identical situation to his encounter with Obita, which prompted him to make a crucial save. The versatile Rangers player had a busy ten minutes before being substituted with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, dealing a blow to Clement.
After a collision with John Souttar, Martin Boyle was stretchered off, causing more unsettling images. The Hibs star was treated by the Hibs and Rangers medical crews during a protracted pause in play before being wheeled off the field and down the corner away from the pitch. The attacker was cheered enthusiastically by both sets of players and spectators, and they all wished him a quick recovery.
After a true moment of pressure from the home team, Butland flicked the first corner over the bar before scooping a header from the third, but not before Will Fish had the home fans up and dancing four minutes into the second half. John Lundstram had headed the ensuing corner wide. They were still causing problems in the first ten minutes of the second half, but they were unable to find a crucial moment to square the score while leading in Leith.
With 55 minutes remaining, Tavernier again forced Marshall into a low save as he headed a long-range effort toward the corner, but the veteran did a great job of pushing the ball away from goal after an unfortunate bounce off the turf. When the play swung back to the other end, Emiliano Marcondes dived to shove his free-kick attempt away from goal, but Butland saved him this time.
Obita received an early bath with 22 minutes remaining on the clock after the defender received a second yellow card for challenging Rabbi Matondo. The Hibs player expressed his displeasure with the referee’s ruling. After a lunge on Lundstram, Nathan Moriah-Welsh received a straight red card two minutes later, bringing Hibs down to nine men. The initial on-field decision was upheld after the VAR reviewed the ruling.
With seven minutes remaining in the game, Rangers capitalized on several opportunities to score a second goal to end the match. The visitors controlled possession of the ball until Lundstram found Fabio Silva, who checked inside before putting a strong, low shot past Marshall to ensure a speedy return from Hampden.
The offside flag would deny Cole McKinnon a third late in the game. The teenage player tucked home James Tavernier’s thunderous effort, but it was swiftly dismissed.
Treble dreams alive
What a remarkable turnaround the Rangers have experienced this season. Under Michael Beale, I used to look down and out; under Philippe Clement, I dream of doing a domestic clean sweep.
The League Cup has already been moved to the Ibrox trophy cabinet. Following a valiant showing at Easter Road, a trip back to Hampden for the Scottish Cup semi-final has been scheduled. The Light Blues will find out their fate in tomorrow’s final four draw.
With nine games remaining, they also lead Celtic by two points at the top of the Scottish Premiership. There will be two significant Old Firm derbies in what promises to be a thrilling campaign finale.
That only applies locally; there is also a trophy up for grabs in the Europa League. Govan is the place to be!
John Lundstram scores for Rangers vs HibsWorrying moment sparks concern
While the Scottish Cup match in Leith was exciting, there was one particular moment that really alarmed everyone in the crowd. Following a protracted pause in activity, Martin Boyle, the star of Hibs, was stretchered off with John Souttar.
The Hibees attacker was helped for several minutes by the medical crews of both Hibs and Rangers before being taken off the field past the corner flag, although the Rangers defender was uninjured. The attacker was applauded by both the players and the spectators as he was taken off, and everyone was hopeful the 30-year-old would heal quickly and that the injury wasn’t too bad.
Seeing red
As they pushed for a draw in the capital, Hibs had only begun to step up their game against Rangers. but within TWO minutes of the second half, they were down to NINE men.
With 22 minutes remaining, referee Steven McLean issued a second yellow card to Jordan Obita for a challenge on Rabbi Matondo. The Hibs defender was taken aback by the second booking, and Nathan Moriah-Welsh decided to take an early shower with his teammate after he lunged in on John Lundstram. After considering the situation, VAR chose to uphold the initial on-field ruling made by Nick Montgomery, leaving the home crowd angry after a fierce Easter Road quarterfinal matchup.
