Hibernian 2-2 Rangers: Nine-man visitors succumb to last-gasp equaliser

Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst said nine-man Rangers “shot ourselves in the foot” with Alfredo Morelos’ red card in the incident-laden draw with Hibernian.

John Lundstram had already been sent off before Morelos swung an arm into Marijan Cabraja’s face after Tom Lawrence restored Rangers’ lead.

Martin Boyle had cancelled out James Tavernier’s penalty opener.

Rangers succumbed to Hibs’ late siege, spilling their first league points after three straight wins, and now head to Eindhoven for their Champions League date with destiny against PSV.

While Van Bronckoorst believed Lundstram’s red was “harsh”, he said of Morelos’ dismissal: “It’s definitely an action where we shot ourselves in the foot. We there two men short then and you knew it was going to be a really tough 20 minutes.”

Campbell’s swerving strike continued Hibs’ habit of late drama, with Lee Johnson’s side having netted in injury time in three of their four matches. They only have one victory to show for it, though, and Johnson is demanding improvement.

“I am not happy [with the start to the season],” he said. “We need to do more. I want to deliver to these fans high-tempo, front-foot football. In the first half we didn’t and in the second half we did. We need a complete performance.”

The drudgery of much of the first half gave little hint of the fireworks to come. The opening goal on the cusp of the interval was a gift to Rangers, who looked flat following their energy-sapping 2-2 first-leg draw with PSV four days prior.

Neither side had mustered a shot on target until Rocky Bushiri inexplicably tugged the shirt of Antonio Colak as a Ryan Porteous passback rolled safely to goalkeeper David Marshall.

Colak was getting nowhere the ball, and his dive was a touch theatrical, but Tavernier capitalised on Bushiri’s folly by tucking the penalty beyond the grasp of Marshall into the far corner of the net.

Hibs’ most noteworthy moment had been Johnson making a double substitution before the half hour, with Ewan Henderson – on a booking – and Paul Hanlon sacrificed for Cabraja and Christian Doidge as Hibs switched from a back three to a four.

It would end up paying dramatic dividends as Campbell was freed from his makeshift wing-back role and restored to midfield.

Hibs had managed just two touches in the Rangers box before half-time, but levelled in style. Campbell’s precise pass released Elie Youan, who left Tavernier trailing before his cutback was turned in by Boyle to crown the first start of his second Hibs spell.

Parity lasted just seven minutes though. Borna Barisic’s cross was crying out for a taker and Lawrence met it flush on the forehead to restore Rangers’ lead.

Referee Willie Collum then took centre stage, dismissing Lundstram for cynically catching Boyle on the ankle to halt a counter-attack. While that looked extremely harsh, Morelos could have few complaints when he was offered off on 75 minutes.

Hibs began to hammer away at the Rangers defence and Lewis Miller and Bushiri came close before Campbell controlled on his chest 25 yards out and left Jon McLaughlin rooted with an unerring finish.

Man of the match – Josh Campbell

Morelos indiscipline so costly – analysis

Van Bronckhorst could hardly have imagined a more chaotic pre-cursor to his side’s colossal European mission. Trying to repel Hibs’ avalanche of late pressure with nine men will have taken a toll on legs that already seemed weary.

Morelos has largely curbed his indiscipline – the Colombia striker’s previous Rangers red card came in March 2019 – but his impetuousness resurfaced to cost the team dear.

It will do nothing to convince Van Bronckhorst that he deserves to reclaim a starting place from Antonio Colak, who was well below his best at Easter Road as his run of scoring in four successive games spluttered to an end.

Hibs boss Johnson showed he isn’t afraid to rip up the game-plan, with his team looking more comfortable once they reverted to a familiar four at the back.

However, they struggled for attacking cohesion for long spells until the red cards tilted the game in their favour.

Bushiri’s rush of the blood to the head needlessly left Hibs trailing at the interval. In fairness, the defender had a strong shout for a spot-kick of his own at 0-0 when he was held by Tavernier at a corner.

And while Bushiri showed character to put the blunder behind him, he must cut out the silly mistakes that have pockmarked his Easter Road career.

What did they say?

Hibs manager Lee Johnson: “We need a few ready-made players. I’ve now had a good look at the level. I expect us to compete far better than we did in the first half.”

Rangers manger Giovanni van Bronckhorst: “After the two red cards, it was going to be very difficult. [Lundstram’s red] was a bit harsh because he fouled him but there was no intention to hurt him.”

What’s next?

Rangers are in the Netherlands on Wednesday to face PSV in their Champions League play-off second leg (20:00 BST). They’re then back on Premiership duty against Ross County next Saturday (15:00), with Hibs away to St Mirren at the same time.