Hibernian 2-2 Rangers: Steven Gerrard’s men achieved a heart-pounding draw

The Rangers conceded their first goals of the season in the Scottish Premiership, but are at the top despite being limited by Hibernian to drawing at Leith.

Alfredo Morelos tied the visitors at the edge of the break and Scott Arfield shot them up front.

Christian Doidge nodded in place of Hibs, but Ofir Marciano had to brilliantly reject Arfield at the end with a double save.

The Israeli goalkeeper twice stopped the Canadian international at point-blank range after the midfielder was sent running to goal amid a Rangers onslaught.

Steven Gerrard’s team is one point away from second-placed Celtic, who have played one more game, while Hibs is one place further behind.

The Rangers led a tumultuous opening quarter, Morelos rejected a great opportunity to break the deadlock in the 10th minute when he launched a free header from the corner of Ianis Hagi from five yards.

It took Hibs a while to awaken as an attacking force, but when they did, it was revealing. Kevin Nisbet chest-shoved Wright’s search ball on the edge of the Rangers’ penalty area, spun and volleyed through Jon McLaughlin, landing a good save from the goalie.

Then came their first match, Nisbet hit Boyle from the right flank whose square ball was stabbed between McLaughlin’s legs by Wright arriving. It was the midfielder’s first goal in 764 days and it was momentous for Jack Ross’s men.

The rangers recovered, but the chances of leveling were fleeting. It is up to Morelos, as often happens, to comply. The Colombian went unnoticed for much of the first half, but in the last throes, he came to life within the Hibs area. Criminally left unmarked at the back post by Martin Boyle, he muffled an immaculate cross from Ryan Kent before shoving off Marciano. The goal was the first Hibs release in open play this period.

The Rangers went ahead at 12 minutes of the new time. The wonderful interaction between Arfield and Ianis Hagi, the latter’s return ball to Arfield particularly special, put the midfielder in his place. Marciano hit a Kentish howitzer in the hour the Rangers lacerated Hibs at halftime, but the hosts were far from dead and buried, still capable of wounding forays downfield.

McLaughlin saved Ryan Porteous at the near post and the rebound fell painfully behind Nisbet. However, there was no stopping Doidge, the Welshman galloping to the far post to meet a sumptuous Boyle’s cross. Replays showed the Hibs winger was offside when he took possession at the edge of the area.

The Rangers besieged the home area at the end, Gerrard sent for Jermain Defoe and Cedric Itten in a desperate search for more firepower and a telling goal. Hibs swayed at times, defending with passion and steel, if not perfect technique. Marciano’s fabulous intervention and a series of headers, helmets and plugs sealed an impressive point.

Man of the Match – Ianis Hagi

What did we learn?

Too often, the Hibs have been overrun in midfield by the most competent attacking units in the top flight. This time they showed much more bite and stamina, with Joe Newell especially hard-working and orderly on the ball, but Ross could still use more dynamism in the center area.

For the first time this season, the Rangers were asked serious questions, challenged to come from behind against one of the Premiership teams. They responded well, taking control of the match after falling behind, but their failure to turn dominance into goals and points was a crucial flaw last season. In the context of the title race, Gerrard will see this as a missed opportunity.

More to follow.