Hibernian fought back from a two-goal deficit to earn a thrilling 3-3 draw against Rangers in a dramatic Scottish Premiership encounter at Easter Road. Despite Hamza Igamane’s stunning hat-trick, Rangers were forced to settle for a point after Rocky Bushiri’s late header salvaged a deserved share of the spoils for Hibs.
Early Dominance from Rangers
Rangers started the match at breakneck speed, taking the lead within the first four minutes through Igamane. The 22-year-old was expertly set up by Ianis Hagi, calmly finishing to put Rangers ahead early. The visitors continued to dominate and doubled their advantage just 15 minutes later, with Nedim Bajrami’s cross allowing Igamane to rise above the Hibs defense and power in a header.
For much of the opening half, it seemed like Rangers were in total control, and they could have extended their lead further. However, Hibernian were given a lifeline just before the break. After a VAR review of a potential red-card challenge by Rangers’ Mohamed Diomande on Nicky Cadden, the match saw a pivotal moment. Seconds later, Martin Boyle struck a beautiful finish from the edge of the box, pulling one back for the hosts.
Second Half Drama
With the scoreline reading 2-1 in favor of Rangers at half-time, Hibernian showed remarkable resilience after the break. They came out determined, and their efforts paid off in the 61st minute when Boyle converted from the penalty spot. The penalty came after Hagi fouled Josh Campbell in the box, with Boyle stepping up to deliver a cool finish past Liam Kelly.
Rangers thought they had regained the lead when Igamane completed his hat-trick in the 74th minute. A precise cross from Vaclav Cerny found Igamane, who calmly slotted home from inside the area, putting Rangers 3-2 ahead.
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A Last-Gasp Equalizer
However, Hibernian were not done. In the 83rd minute, Bushiri found himself in the right place at the right time to head in a corner from Boyle, with Kelly unable to keep the ball out. The late goal capped a thrilling encounter, ensuring that Hibs extended their unbeaten run to six matches.
The match concluded with both teams feeling they could have taken all three points. Rangers came close again when Igamane’s shot rattled the post, and Boyle had a chance to win it for Hibs, curling just wide.
Rangers’ Away Day Woes Continue
The draw means Rangers have now gone three away matches without a victory, continuing their struggles on the road. Manager Philippe Clement was frustrated by his side’s inability to maintain their early dominance, acknowledging that missing key opportunities in the first half had cost them.
“It’s disappointing to score three goals away from home and not win,” said Clement. “We need to improve defensively, and we must be more clinical in these situations. The penalty decision was a turning point, but we have to focus on our overall performance.”
Hibs’ Resilience Shines Through
For Hibernian, this was a testament to their character. Having been two goals down at half-time, they fought back to earn a well-deserved draw. Head coach David Gray praised his team’s resilience: “We changed our shape after 25 minutes to get a foothold in the game. We showed great character in the second half, and the players deserve credit for the effort and desire they showed.”
The point keeps Hibs’ strong run going, and they will take confidence from their performance into upcoming fixtures. “Confidence is high, and we need to keep moving forward,” added Gray.
Looking Ahead
This draw means Rangers remain in third place in the Scottish Premiership, while Hibernian’s point sees them continue their strong recent form. The result also handed Celtic the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table, with their match against St Mirren on Sunday.
Both teams will now focus on their next matches, with Rangers hoping to bounce back at home, while Hibs will aim to build on their recent success as they face further challenges in the league.
Key Players:
- Hamza Igamane (Rangers) – Scored a brilliant hat-trick, showcasing his finishing ability.
- Martin Boyle (Hibernian) – Scored twice, including a penalty, and played a pivotal role in his team’s recovery.
- Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian) – Equalized late to ensure the draw with a well-taken header.
Match Stats:
- Goals: Hibernian 3 (Boyle 32′, 61′ pen, Bushiri 83′) – Rangers 3 (Igamane 4′, 19′, 74′)
- Assists: Hibernian (Bushiri 32′) – Rangers (Hagi 4′, Bajrami 19′, Černý 74′)
- Possession: Hibernian 41% – Rangers 59%
- Shots on Target: Hibernian 4 – Rangers 6
- Corners: Hibernian 5 – Rangers 7
Manager Quotes:
- David Gray (Hibernian): “For the effort and character shown in the second half, I think we at least deserve a point.”
- Philippe Clement (Rangers): “The penalty decision was a turning point, but we need to be more clinical and improve defensively.”