Hibs 0 Rangers 2

Nine-men Hibs exited the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup after goals from John Lundstrum and Fabio Silva handed Rangers a 2-0 victory.

The disappointment of defeat was compounded by Martin Boyle leaving the pitch with an injury before red cards to Jordan Obita and Nathan Moriah-Welsh.

Nick Montgomery made two changes from the side that defeated Ross County a week prior with Chris Cadden and Nectarios Triantis replacing the injured Lewis Miller and Dylan Vente.

The loss of Vente resulted in Emiliano Marcondes being deployed further up the field in the middle of a three alongside Myziane Maolida and Boyle.

There was little between the teams in the opening exchanges, however it was the visitors that threatened first when Ridvan Yilmaz's cross from the left was volleyed wide by Cyriel Dessers from close range.

Moments later, Silva flashed a cross along the face of our goal just beyond Mohamed Diomande arriving late at the back post.

Then, on 15 minutes, we went so close to breaking the deadlock as Jack Butland dwelled in possession allowing Myziane to tackle him just in front of goal and the 'keeper was a relieved man as the ball struck his post before it ricocheted off him and wide of goal when it could have gone anywhere.

With Nectarios Triantis and Moriah-Welsh snapping into challenges in midfield and with the likes of Boyle and Myziane on the flanks, we were working ourselves into good positions - however the final ball into the box was competently dealt with by Rangers.

A mistake from Obita was pounced on by Dessers who raced in on goal only for David Marshall to make himself big and save at his near post.

A bad couple of minutes for Obita was concluded when he bundled over Dujon Sterling inside the box and the visitors were awarded a spot kick. Our bench were incensed at the decision believing Boyle had been fouled in the build-up, however the decision stood.

James Tavernier took the kick and although Marshall made a terrific save to deny him, John Lundstrum was quickest to react and knocked in the rebound.

Rangers were finding a lot of space down our right and again used it to create a chance for Sterling that Marshall keep out at his front post.

Opportunities for us were few and far between in the first half although Myziane did force Butland into a relatively routine stop with a tame overhead kick.

We would suffer a huge blow before half time when Boyle came off worst in a challenge with John Souttar and after lengthy treatment, he left the field on a stretcher before being taken straight to hospital.

During the nine minutes of additional time, Tavernier went close with a dipping shot from the edge of our box before Diomade’s cross evaded everyone in the middle and fortunately for us, drifted inches wide of the far post.

Neither side made a change during the interval as we started the second period on the front foot.

In the opening moments we had a series of corner kicks that saw Lundstrum head a Will Fish effort away at the post, Butland tip a deflected cross over his bar before the goalkeeper then saved from Triantis.

Rangers remained a potent threat and when an opening appeared for Tavernier on 54 minutes he strode forward before unleashing a powerful low drive that Marshall pushed around his post at full stretch.

Rangers 'keeper Butland has shown impressive form this season and on 59 minutes he produced a stunning save to keep out a wonderful free-kick from Emiliano that appeared a goal all the way.

Tempers were flaring all over the field and there were a series of tough challenges from both teams as matters threatened to boil over.

Unfortunately, they did as we picked up two red cards in as many minutes with Obita and Moriah-Welsh given their marching orders.

Down to nine men and trailing in the tie, we had a mountain to climb and lined-up in a 4-1-2-1.

Despite our lack of numbers, we were still finding opportunities to get forward and perhaps could have made more of a promising move that ended with Emiliano taking one touch too many instead of shooting and that allowed Connor Goldson to tackle.

With seven minutes remaining, Rangers put the tie beyond us as Silva twisted away from Cadden before beating Marshall at his near post to double his side's lead.