Rangers battle past nine-man Hibs to reach semis

Rangers kept their “emotions” in check during a bruising battle with nine-man Hibernian to progress to the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup and maintain their four-fronted campaign.

Hibs’ recent revival fell by the wayside in a game when they lost Martin Boyle to a concerning injury, as well as Jordan Obita and Nathan Moriah-Welsh to careless moments of ill-discipline that ended with red cards.

Any slither of hope the depleted home side could force extra time vanished when Fabio Silva fired Rangers to Hampden with a late finish.

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“It’s a massive game to win,” Rangers manager Philippe Clement told BBC Scotland. “We stayed calm and we didn’t go into the emotions.

“Everybody worked really hard. We played a mature game in the circumstances. We had a massive game on Thursday that cost a lot of energy.”

This was Leith, not Lisbon, where the Ibrox side drew 2-2 with Benfica in the Europa League last 16.

Cultured on the continent, this contest was immediately thrust into frenzy as both sides traded blows in raucous capital conditions.

Hearts were in mouths early on. Jack Butland’s pondering on the ball allowed Myziane Maolida to lunge into a challenge and bounce the ball off a post, while Cyriel Dessers curiously chose to cut inside when he was through on goal, allowing David Marshall to make the save.

It wouldn’t be long before the veteran goalkeeper was forced into action again, successfully saving his third spot-kick of the campaign, only to watch helplessly as Lundstram’s desire broke the deadlock.

The game’s ferocity was pierced by an unfortunate injury to the visitors’ Dujon Sterling, before a sense of concern engulfed Easter Road as Boyle lay motionless on the turf after John Souttar landed on him.

That prompted a quick medical response and a lengthy delay as the Australian international was removed on a stretcher and taken to hospital.

If the first half was wild, the second period was a whirlwind.

Emiliano Marcondes’ fierce free-kick forced a big save from Butland. Substitute Ross McCausland had to trudge off injured himself. Steven MacLean had to remove a cherry-coloured vape from the pitch.

And then, Hibs lost their heads. Obita had been on thin ice for much of the match, and a second booking seemed inevitable as he charged carelessly around the pitch, finally coming for a block on Rabbi Matondo.

No sooner had the defender returned to the home dressing room, he was joined by Moriah-Welsh, who was shown a straight red for a reckless slide on Lundstram.

Deflation became despondence when Silva rifled Rangers into the last four in what was the first Scottish Cup meeting between these sides since Hibs ended their 112-year wait to lift the famous old trophy.

It was a different kind of drama to that historic occasion, and one that leaves the Ibrox side with belief that their campaign can end with added silverware in the cabinet.

Player of the match – John Lundstram (Rangers)

Rangers’ revival continues as Hibs left frustrated – analysis

Given Clement’s tendency to tinker, a few eyebrows were raised when the Belgian chose to stick with the side that had to run themselves into the ground against Benfica on Thursday.

He may have lost Sterling and McCausland to injury, but away from the treatment table, there was so much for the Rangers manager to appreciate about his side’s display.

They battled through the contest and showed real quality to continue their charge in another competition.

Top of the league. League Cup already hoisted. Scottish Cup progression. And a Europa League last-16 second-leg finely poised in an imposing Ibrox. The Rangers revival under Clement continues forward with steam.

For Hibs, it’s a sense of frustration as Hampden eludes them on this occasion. There wasn’t much between the sides for much of the affair, only for their lack of discipline to effectively end the contest.

Again though, their winter signings showed why fortunes have turned in recent weeks, with Nectarios Triantis thriving in the madness.

Focus must now shift to securing a place in the top-six before the split comes around. Achieve that, and sneaking into Europe isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.

What they said

Hibernian manager Nick Montgomery: “We probably should have scored a goal or two, we limited them to very little. They’re a top side. We gave them a real tough game.

“The officials had a bit of a bad day today, but everybody can have a bad day.”

Rangers manager Philippe Clement: “I’m not thinking about [a domestic treble]. It’s game after game. We’re two games away from a trophy, but it’s two massive games.

“It would be a very massive thing if we can beat Benfica and go through. I think we have one big advantage, and that’s our support.”

What’s next?

Rangers attempt to see off Benfica and reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday (17:45 GMT), before a trip to Dundee on Sunday (12:00).

Hibs have a game at Ross County on Wednesday (19:45), followed Saturday’s meeting with Livingston at Easter Road (15:00).