Hibernian 1-1 Rangers: Florian Kamberi goal cancels out Daniel Candeias opener
- Published
Goals: Hibernian 1-1 Rangers
Florian Kamberi's goal cancelled out Daniel Candeias' opener as Hibernian held Rangers in a tempestuous Scottish Premiership contest at Easter Road.
In a frenzied atmosphere, Rangers' James Tavernier was confronted by a man as he attempted to collect the ball.
That came just after Candeias' fine curling strike gave Rangers the lead, but Kamberi salvaged a point by converting Marc McNulty's cross.
Hibs then had Darren McGregor sent off in stoppage time for a second booking.
McGregor, who was shown an early yellow card for an elbow on Alfredo Morelos, was sent off after clattering Jermain Defoe.
That draw keeps up Hibs' unbeaten record against Rangers, extending their run to five league games since December 2017.
It also hampers Rangers' title chances, with Celtic able to extend their lead to 10 points should they beat Aberdeen on Saturday.
Rangers fail to frank dominance
Steven Gerrard has led Rangers to victory over every Premiership side this season, except Hibernian.
But Hibs could have jeopardised their chances before the 10-minute mark when McGregor elbowed Morelos. It was needless with the ball going nowhere, but it summed up Hibs' poor decision-making. Carelessness in possession gifted chance after chance to Rangers who were not having to shift into top gear.
Ryan Kent, given the freedom of Easter Road on the left, skipped by a David Gray challenge, cut back to Scott Arfield, and only an intervention from Paul Hanlon diverted the shot over the bar.
Morelos forced a save after robbing Hanlon. Andy Halliday fired over from then edge of the box. Kent shifted onto his left foot and had Marciano at full-stretch to palm his low shot away. Hibs were hanging on as Rangers continued to take encouragement.
The Ibrox side breaking the deadlock was not a surprise. That they did it on the counter from a rare Hibs attack was.
The assistant referee wrongly flagged McNulty offside and, as Rangers stopped, Hibs played on but Connor Goldson got in the way of Kamberi's goal-bound shot. Rangers scampered up the pitch and, after his first effort rebounded back to him, Candeias coolly picked his spot beyond Ofir Marciano.
Then Scottish football suffered yet more damage to its sullied reputation as a man inexplicably jumped on to the pitch and kicked the ball away from Tavernier, before squaring up to the Rangers full-back.
A fan is led away by police after confronting Rangers' James Tavernier
Hibs roused by equaliser
Tavernier was again at the forefront after the break as he went close to extending his side's lead, goalkeeper Marciano pushing away his effort.
But Hibs passed up a glorious chance to level when McNulty laid the ball on a plate for Daryl Horgan, but he couldn't direct it through the legs of Allan McGregor.
Rangers were still in control and Morelos saw a shot blocked in a crowded penalty area. It was not the Colombian's night in front of goal and shortly afterwards he skewed another effort wide.
And the visitors were made to pay for that profligacy when Kamberi checked his run to stay onside, then met McNulty's ball at the back post to slide it past McGregor.
It had arrived against the run of play, but after that Hibs threatened to steal all three points.
McGregor saved McNulty's driven shot, then Kamberi's volley was kept out by the goalkeeper and Easter Road held its breath as Stevie Mallan's rebound reared over the bar after deflecting off Joe Worrall.
McGregor brought down Defoe to leave his side with 10 men, though there wasn't long for them to hold out.
And the last word fell to Andy Halliday, who's late free-kick bounced off the top of the crossbar.
'Terrific game overshadowed by one moment' - analysis
BBC Scotland's Brian McLauchlin at Easter Road
From the first minute until the last, this was a game that just about had everything. Some terrific attacking moves from Rangers in the first half only countered by some last-ditch clearances by Hibs.
The second half was just as good. Meaty challenges a plenty with referee Steven MacLean doing his best to keep the pot simmering just below the boil. And the equaliser was merited after a tweak made in the way the home side set about their business.
Sadly, though, all that will be overshadowed by the actions of one person within the 18,000 crowd.
'Hibs more than matched Rangers' work rate' - Heckingbottom