Rangers 2 Hibs U19s 4

The wee Hibees capped off their strong CAS Elite U19 League Cup group stage showing with a 4-2 victory over Rangers.

Darren McGregor’s side fought back to pick up all three points against the Glasgow outfit, with a late Logan Jimenez brace following Callum MacDonald and Josh McDonald’s earlier strikes. 

The hosts twice went ahead at Rangers Training Centre, with our lads’ fine finishing enough to counteract goals from Calum Adamson and Max Cameron. 

Hibernian XI: Mallon, McSporran, Gillie (Shankland 86’), Riddell, McNeill, Bruce, Davidson, Buckley, Jimenez, McDonald (Downie 86’), MacDonald. 

Substitutes: Brown, Shankland, Gallacher, Burns, Downie.

Rangers would take an early lead inside nine minutes at an overcast RTC, breaking the deadlock from a set-piece. Gers captain Aiden McCallion whipped in a dangerous corner-kick towards Arran Kerr, who forced a low stop from Ryan Mallon. The goalkeeper’s parry was immediately prodded back goal-ward by Adamson, whose well-taken finish rested in the bottom corner. 

The home team’s lead would last less than two minutes, however, as the Hibees struck from a set-piece of their own. McDonald’s corner took a brush off a defender in the box, taking enough sting out of the ball for MacDonald to lash it back across goal and into the far corner past Sam Reid. 

Five minutes later Hibs would threaten once more from yet another set-piece. Jaden Riddell crossed over to the top-right of the park to launch a long throw into the mixer, which landed at the feet of Luke Davidson. The forward created space for himself but a last-ditch block deflected his low effort into the arms of Reid.

With 24 minutes on the clock, Davidson would surge down the right flank – after latching into a channel ball from Zach Bruce – to pick out MacDonald in the penalty area. The winger’s first-time effort was well blocked by Kerr. 

The wide-man would threaten again as he sought a brace on 26 minutes, firing just over from 25 yards after bursting forward through the centre of the pitch. 

On 37 minutes, we continued to show our dominance in Glasgow as an impressive reaction stop from Reid denied Lewis Gillie at the back post. A short free-kick from the left flank found the defender deep in the box, but the hosts were quick to clear the danger after their keeper’s fingertip save. 

Despite enjoying the majority of the chances on goal, the wee Hibees would be held until the break and then soon find themselves behind on 51 minutes after a quick counter from the hosts.

After being fed the ball by Riddell in midfield, Buckley would be dispossessed by Adamson, allowing the Rangers man to slip Cameron in behind; with the forward finishing low into the bottom-left corner. 

Just shy of the hour-mark, Adamson would have an opportunity to extend Rangers’ lead after meeting a floated delivery at the near post – though his flicked effort rose high over the bar.

A smattering of glimpses at goal followed for the home side, with Cameron Fernie thrashing a powerful effort off the crossbar and Cameron tamely firing wide from range. 

Fernie also saw a back-post header blocked by Arran McSporran. The ball was quickly reworked back out to McCallion, though the midfielder’s poor strike bobbled well wide of goal. 

Since the break, the hosts had usurped control of the game, but that spell came to an abrupt end as Hibs were awarded a penalty on 75 minutes when Jack Wyllie carelessly yanked at Buckley’s shirt in view of referee Joshua Horan.

After a long wait, McDonald sent Reid the wrong way and finished high into the top-right corner of the goal to level proceedings for a second time.

With 10 minutes remaining, Hibs would lead for the first time at RTC. A corner-kick was cleared only as far as Bruce on the edge of the box, with his swipe at the ball turned goal-ward by Jimenez. Reid got down quick but the striker’s first-time effort squirmed underneath the keeper. 

Situated deep inside his own half on 86 minutes, McSporran would launch a long throw up the park for substitute Reiss Downie to flick on with his first touch. An underhit backpass by Oliver Hynd was pounced upon by Davidson, who burst forward before squaring the ball to Jimenez.

The Bermuda international’s first effort was commendably thwarted by Hynd, seeking to atone for his error, but the net was wide open for Jimenez's second strike which secured a 4-2 victory for the wee Hibees. 

Hibs now advance to the Semi-Final stage of the League Cup, with Rangers exiting the competition.