Gers left frustrated on latest night of shame

HIBERNIAN 1 RANGERS 1

Florian Kamberi snatched an unlikely point as Hibernian held Rangers to a 1-1 Ladbrokes Premiership draw last night – but only after Scottish football suffered another night of controversy at Easter Road.

Steven Gerrard’s team should have been out of sight by half-time but only had Daniel Candeias’ strike to show for their dominance in the first 45 minutes.

Kamberi pounced with a quarter-of-an-hour left to steal a point for Paul Heckingbottom’s side – who ended the match with 10 men after Darren Mcgregor was dismissed in stoppagetime.

But the result was overshadowed by yet another example of fan misconduct in Leith.

Just six days on from Scott Sinclair avoiding serious injury after a glass bottle was hurled at the Celtic winger, there was another disgraceful episode as a fan leapt from the home end to confront Gers skipper James Tavernier on the stroke of half-time.

Thankfully no harm was done to the Englishman but the incident will prompt yet another round of debate on the behaviour of supporters after a season that has already witnessed a worrying rise in missile throwing.

The opening 45 minutes saw Rangers at their slick best as Hibs had no idea how to contain their guests and will thank their lucky stars they only went in one down at the break.

They were fortunate too that they were not reduced to 10 men early onas Darren Mcgregor caught Alfredo Morelos with a straight arm as they tussled on half-way but referee Steven Mclean decided only a yellow was required.

It was one-way traffic. Morelos, Andy Halliday and Ryan Kent all had efforts on goal but there was no opener.

Confusion amongst the officials should have given Hibs their chance to pounce two minutes before the break as linesman Graham Chambers put his flag up for offside against Daryl Horgan before putting it down again.

The visitors’ defence stopped but Hibs could not take advantage.

Instead it was Rangers who broke with lightning speed to grab the opener.

Glen Kamara charged forward before spraying out to Candeias. Paul Hanlon stopped the Portuguese winger’s first cross but it broke back to the former Benfica man, who took a touch before whipping an unstoppable effort into the top corner.

That was not the end of the drama though. As Mclean blew for the interval, a Hibs fan leapt from the East Stand to confront Tavernier, booting the ball out of the Ibrox skipper’s hands.

The pair squared up but the pitch invader was quickly dragged away by police before it turned really ugly.

Gers looked to double their tally as the second period got under way but it was the hosts who almost hit back as Marc Mcnulty played in Horgan, only for Alan Mcgregor to block.

Rangers’ failure to make more of their dominance came back to haunt them as Kamberi levelled with 14 minutes left.

Kamara switched off as the Swiss hit man ghosted clear to slam home at the back post as mcnulty beat the off side trap to cross.

Having been outplayed for most of the night, the hosts almost claimed an incredible win as Stevie Mallan pounced on Allan Mcgregor’s spill but Joe Worrall’s block saved Gerrard’s team.

Darren Mcgregor walked in stoppage time for a last-man foul on Jermain Defoe, while Halliday clipped the cross bar with the last kick of the ball as Rangers were left frustrated.

● Rangers have secured the future of Morelos for another year after handing him his third new contract inside 12 months.

The Colombian striker has now committed to the club until 2023 amid major speculation over his future beyond the summer.

The 22-year-old joined Gers from HJK Helsinki in the summer of 2017 and won a Colombia call-up after netting 28 goals this season.

Florian Kamberi celebrates goal.

Daniel Candeias gave Gers the lead.