Rangers 2-1 Hibernian AET: Gers overcome Hibs in Challenge Cup
- adamhigginsuk
- Aug 5, 2014
- 3 min read
Joyous: Kenny Miller (right) and Lewis MacLeod (left) celebrate the opening goal for Rangers (Picture from PetrofacTrainingCup. com)
NICKY Law struck in extra-time as Rangers laboured to victory over Hibernian in the first round of the Petrofac Training Cup.
The midfielder curled home the winner in the 111th minute to book a second round tie at home to Clyde later this month.
Lewis MacLeod's rifled shot put the Gers ahead after quarter of an hour as they took command in the first half.
Hibs improved after the break and levelled through Danny Handling, who later saw red for a challenge on David Templeton.
But despite looking strong for long periods, the Edinburgh side were consigned to defeat in their first competitive match under new manager Alan Stubbs, who took over from Terry Butcher in May after their relegation from the Premiership.
The Gers, who endured an indifferent pre-season, struggled to reach top gear yet still came out on top to make a winning start in their opening game of the 2014-15 campaign.
Boss Ally McCoist handed Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd their second debuts as the Leith side returned to Ibrox for the first time since January 2012.
Bilel Mohsni started a two-game suspension after being sent off in the warm-up game against Derby, giving summer signings Darren McGregor and Marius Zaliukas the chance to line up in defence.
Meanwhile, former Everton coach Stubbs took over a threadbare squad at Easter Road after his predecessor Butcher axed 15 players but gave new recruits Mark Oxley, David Gray and Farid El Alagui their first starts.
It was another returning Rangers man, however, who scored the opener as Macleod raced on to a Lee Wallace cross, set himself, then fired under keeper Oxley.
The League One champions were playing with a five-man midfield, but they were struggling to find blue shirts with their passing.
Boyd saw a shot blocked by Jordon Foster, while the former Kilmarnock man saw a second effort ruled out soon when referee John Beaton blew for handball just as his strike hit the net.
As the tempo dropped, Hibs gained a foothold with Handling whistling a shot just wide two minutes after the break.
A second chance went a begging when Sam Stanton fired tamely at Cammy Bell after captain Liam Craig's superb pass sent him galloping in on goal.
And they levelled on the hour mark when Zaliukas lost possession and Handling made him pay as he fired home from six yards after Gray's cross fell at his feet after spinning off McGregor.
There was chaos in the Rangers area moments later when McGregor raced out as Craig clipped a ball into the box. Zaliukas remained rooted to the spot, though, as he played El Alagui onside.
But the Moroccan blew his chance as he volleyed over, then wasted another effort as he was too high with a three-yard header from Stanton's corner.
McCoist had switched to a back four as he replaced McGregor with Templeton and the winger's introduction at least gave them a man advantage when he lured Handling into a stupid challenge with 11 minutes left to earn an immediate red card.
Rangers had endured extra-time misery as they lost to Raith Rovers in the final of last term's competition. But, with the extra man, there was no repeat as Law curled a low shot round Oxley's reach to seal victory.
Last updated: 5 August 2014 23:34pm
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