Rangers took another important step forward under new head coach Danny Röhl with a gritty 1–0 win over Hibernian at Easter Road, ending the home side’s long unbeaten home run in the Scottish Premiership and securing a first away clean sheet in 25 games.
A moment of quality from Danilo inside six minutes was the difference, the Brazilian curling home with precision to give Rangers a victory built on early sharpness, tactical evolution, and Jack Butland’s late heroics.
Orange kit debut and new shape
Rangers lined up in a bold 3-4-1-2 formation, debuting their new all-orange fourth kit, with Nasser Djiga and Derek Cornelius either side of John Souttar defence. Jayden Meghoma and Aaron Aarons operated as wing-backs, while Nico Raskin and Connor Barron anchored midfield behind Mikey Moore who supported the front two of Danilo, and Yousef Chermiti.
It was an aggressive setup from Röhl, a clear departure from the slow, possession-based build-up seen under former boss Russell Martin, who was sacked earlier this month.
Hibs, meanwhile, came into the game unbeaten at home in the league for 16 matches, having scored in each of their previous 22. Martin Boyle, usually a scourge of Rangers, started on the bench despite eight goals in his last ten against the Light Blues.
Danilo finds form ahead of Old Firm
Rangers struck early. In the sixth minute, Chermiti held off his man on the edge of the box before rolling the ball across to Danilo, who took a deft touch and curled a low shot beyond Rafael Sallinger into the bottom corner.
The away end erupted, and with it came the long-forgotten chant for the Brazillian forward followed by a chorus of “Danny, Danny Röhl” to the tune of Boney M’s Daddy Cool.
After 16 goalless games stretching back to January’s 3–0 win over Celtic, Danilo has now scored twice in two matches from just two shots. His father, watching from the away section, celebrated wildly with the visiting support.
Rangers stand tall
Hibs responded with spirit. Josh Mulligan tested Butland moments later, while Mikey Moore saw a low drive saved by Sallinger after pressing high.
Rangers showed far more movement off the ball, Souttar switching play, Barron dictating tempo, and Meghoma repeatedly tormenting Chris Cadden, who was booked and then hooked inside 25 minutes.
Rangers pressing in the first half was coordinated, their aggression controlled, and their transitions sharper.
Djiga produced a superb recovery tackle to deny Thibault Klidje clean through, while Butland made a crucial save from a Grant Hanley header on 31 minutes to preserve the lead.
Managing the battle
At half-time Röhl introduced captain James Tavernier and Djeidi Gassama, with Meghoma and goal scorer Danilo withdrawn.
Hibs nearly levelled within three minutes of the restart when Miguel Chaiwa beat Cornelius and crossed for Klidje, who somehow missed from two yards with an open goal at his mercy.
The home side grew into the contest, forcing Rangers into a more disciplined shape.
Barron picked up a booking for halting a counter, while Moore’s brilliant solo run ended with a poor final pass when Rangers could have sealed the points.
As Hibs threw on Boyle, Eli Youan and Junior Hoilett, Röhl introduced Thelo Aasgaard and later Bojan Miovski, whose physical presence helped relieve pressure up top.
Butland the hero – Again!
Hibs big chance came in the 85th minute. Tavernier slipped in possession and Barron clipped Hoilett just inside the area and John Beaton awarded the hosts a penalty.
Jamie McGrath, who famously missed one for Aberdeen against Rangers exactly a year ago, stepped up again.
And once again, Butland denied him - diving low to his left to push the strike away.
VAR checked for encroachment and movement off the line, but the save stood.
Butland’s roar to the sky said everything: this was a turning-point moment.
McGrath’s subsequent corner was cleared by Raskin before Boyle’s rebound effort was blocked bravely by Aarons.
Cornelius took a knock and was replaced by Emmanuel Fernandez, while Hibs late pressure, including a deep Chaiwa cross narrowly headed wide by Josh Campbell, who was thankful to see the offside flag after missing the sitter, came to nothing.
Statement win
When the final whistle blew, Rangers had achieved what no visiting side had managed in almost a year: shut Hibs out at Easter Road.
The result lifts Röhl’s men to third place, leapfrogging Hibs and moving five points behind Martin O’Neill’s Celtic, who beat Falkirk 4–0, and eleven off undefeated league leaders Hearts after their 2–2 draw with St Mirren.
It wasn’t fluid, it wasn’t perfect, but it was a win full of structure, spirit, and growing belief.
Rangers have their away clean sheet. They have the start of momentum heading into Sunday’s Old Firm Scottish League Cup semi-final.
The fans are backing Rohl, and Rangers look set to go on a roll.