Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland stands dejected.Alamy Stock Photo Freeout of sorts Barry Ferguson's Rangers suffer record fifth successive home defeat Celtic can go 16 points clear at the top if they beat St Johnstone on Sunday. 5.53pm, 5 Apr 2025 Share options RANGERS’ DEFENSIVE frailties were laid bare again in the 2-0 defeat against a Hibernian side who extended their unbeaten run in the William Hill Premiership to 16 games. Hibees midfielder Dylan Levitt opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a drive which went all too easily through Gers goalkeeper Jack Butland. Rangers had lost the opening two goals in five of the last seven matches — four in six under new boss Barry Ferguson — and once again, they required a comeback. However, attacker Martin Boyle raced away in the 69th minute to score a second to secure a first Hibs win in Govan in seven years as the disjointed home side recorded a fifth successive home loss for the first time. Ferguson, put in charge until the end of the season after replacing Philippe Clement in February, has yet to win at Ibrox in three games as Gers boss. Rangers host Spanish outfit Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night, where they will be without suspended defender John Souttar and midfielder Mohamed Diomande, and they will have to somehow find a way to keep the back door closed with jittery Butland a concern. Advertisement There was a boost before the game for Gers fans with the return of winger Vaclav Cerny after a hamstring problem, with left-back Jefte in for Ridvan Yilmaz as the home side reverted to a back four. Perhaps, unsurprisingly, the visitors were unchanged and looked at ease in the opening stages before they took the lead. Souttar headed clear a long throw-in from Jack Iredale, and it fell to Wales international Levitt, who took a touch before rifling in a shot from 25 yards, which Butland, culpable for several goals conceded in recent games, allowed to squirm into the net. Rangers’ response was weak. Hibs shuffled back behind the ball, and the home side struggled to break them down, which brought the inevitable groans from the stands. In the 28th minute, a fine move involving Cerny, skipper James Tavernier, and Cyriel Dessers ended with the Gers striker’s shot blocked by Hibs keeper Jordan Smith for a corner, which came to nothing. Then Dessers drove high over the bar under pressure from Easter Road defender Rocky Bushiri after being sent through by Hamza Igamane before a free-kick from Tavernier just cleared the bar as did a wayward shot from Dessers, who was having another off day. Just before the hour mark, Dessers raced clear before hitting Smith with an unconvincing effort but was well offside. VAR checked for a possible Hibs penalty when the ball looked to come off the arm of Tavernier before substitute Josh Campbell drove wide, but no action was taken. At the other end, Rangers substitute Nedim Bajrami, on for Cerny, smacked the bar with a drive. Campbell then ran through into acres of space but drove wide of the target, and when Boyle raced on to a Jordan Obita pass in the 69th minute, he put the ball through the legs of Butland but was ruled offside — only for VAR to confirm the goal and Hibs’s celebrations. Boyle had another opportunity on the break, but this time, Butland parried clear. However, a third was not required by David Gray’s side, who go from strength to strength in third place, while it was another wholly unsatisfactory display by Rangers. Press Association Viewcomments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Barry Ferguson's Rangers suffer record fifth successive home defeat”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Barry Ferguson's Rangers suffer record fifth successive home defeat”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. 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Leave a commentcancel Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Barry Ferguson out of sorts News in 60 seconds 'There was lots of good stuff out there to run up a score like that' FreeDominant PSG win 11th Ligue 1 title in 13 seasons with 6 games to spare 10 mins ago FreeChampionship 2025 Roscommon move through the gears against London to win Connacht SFC opener 18 mins ago €32 million striker ends barren run as West Ham battle to earn point 29 mins ago Leeds' Premier League hopes suffer setback, Irish strikers on target in League One 56 mins ago Leinster smash past Harlequins with 10-try rout at Croke Park La Rochelle v Munster, Champions Cup Round of 16 Leinster v Harlequins, Champions Cup Round of 16 As it happened St Pat's v Shelbourne, Galway Utd v Shamrock Rovers - LOI Premier Division La Rochelle v Munster, Champions Cup Round of 16 Stalled progress It's time for Evan Ferguson to take a step down to take a step forward more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The 42 supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. 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