By Mushfi The matchups between Hibernian F.C. and Rangers F.C. represent some of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures in Scottish football. Both teams boast passionate fanbases and have a long history of competitive encounters in the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup, and League Cup. This article takes a deep dive into the key statistics behind their rivalry, looking at head-to-head records, recent results, and standout player performances.
A Brief History of the Clubs
Hibernian F.C.
Based in Edinburgh, Hibernian F.C. (commonly referred to as Hibs) was founded in 1875. Despite not having dominated Scottish football in recent years like some of their rivals, Hibernian remains a strong contender in the Scottish Premiership. They’ve had their moments of glory, particularly in winning the Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup multiple times. Matches between Hibs and Rangers are always heated affairs, as Hibernian has a well-established rivalry with the Glasgow side, especially given the intense competition and the support of a loyal fanbase.
Rangers F.C.
Rangers F.C., one of Scotland’s most successful and historic football clubs, was founded in 1872 and is based in Glasgow. The club is part of the Old Firm rivalry, one of the fiercest and most famous rivalries in global football, with Celtic being their primary rival. Rangers have won over 50 Scottish League titles, making them one of the most decorated clubs in the world. With a rich history both domestically and internationally, Rangers are consistently considered one of the most powerful teams in Scottish football.
Head-to-Head: Hibernian vs Rangers
Over the years, Rangers has enjoyed a commanding lead in the head-to-head record against Hibernian. However, Hibernian has shown resilience, especially in recent seasons, where they’ve posed a greater challenge, particularly at their home ground, Easter Road.
All-Time Head-to-Head Record
As of 2024, the all-time statistics in their meetings are as follows:
Total Matches Played: 230
Rangers Wins: 131
Hibernian Wins: 47
Draws: 52
Goals Scored by Rangers: 467
Goals Scored by Hibernian: 233
Rangers dominate the overall statistics, both in terms of victories and goals scored. However, recent meetings have seen Hibernian secure memorable results, indicating that they are more competitive than ever before.
Recent Meetings
Here’s a look at the most recent fixtures between Hibernian and Rangers (2023/24):
October 2023: Rangers 3-1 Hibernian (Ibrox)
May 2023: Hibernian 1-1 Rangers (Easter Road)
February 2023: Hibernian 0-2 Rangers (Easter Road)
November 2022: Rangers 4-1 Hibernian (Ibrox)
While Rangers have continued to win the majority of these encounters, the 1-1 draw at Easter Road in May 2023 showed that Hibernian can be tough opposition on their day.
Memorable Moments
October 2023 (Rangers 3-1 Hibernian): Rangers secured a dominant victory with key goals from Fashion Sakala, James Tavernier, and Alfredo Morelos. Despite a strong effort from Hibernian, Rangers proved too powerful in the second half.
May 2023 (Hibernian 1-1 Rangers): A standout result for Hibernian, who managed to hold Rangers to a 1-1 draw at Easter Road. Kevin Nisbet was on target for Hibs, showing his ability to rise to the occasion in big matches.
Key Player Stats: Hibernian vs Rangers
Hibernian F.C.
Kevin Nisbet: Hibs’ top goal-scorer in recent seasons, Nisbet has been crucial in Hibernian’s attack. He has shown his ability to score vital goals, including the equalizer in the 1-1 draw against Rangers in 2023.
Martin Boyle: A pacey winger, Boyle is Hibernian’s primary threat on the counter-attack. His ability to stretch opposition defenses and deliver dangerous crosses has been a key asset for Hibs, particularly in matches against Rangers.
David Marshall: A seasoned goalkeeper, Marshall has been vital for Hibernian’s defense. His experience in dealing with high-pressure situations, including shots from Rangers’ attacking players, has earned him a reputation as a reliable shot-stopper.
Rangers F.C.
James Tavernier: The captain of Rangers, Tavernier is an essential figure in both defense and attack. His leadership, precise free-kicks, and ability to get forward from right-back make him one of the standout players for Rangers in these fixtures.
Alfredo Morelos: Rangers’ clinical striker, Morelos, has been a consistent goal-scorer against Hibernian. His physicality and composure in front of goal make him a constant threat to Hibs’ defense.
Ryan Kent: Kent’s dribbling and pace make him a key player for Rangers in wide areas. His ability to create chances and assists, especially against teams like Hibernian, plays a crucial role in Rangers’ attacking strategy.
Tactical Analysis: How Hibernian Approaches Rangers
While Rangers have traditionally had the upper hand, Hibernian has shown tactical adaptability in their recent encounters. Here’s a breakdown of how Hibs try to compete with Rangers:
High Pressing and Quick Transitions
Hibernian often adopts a high-pressing strategy against Rangers, attempting to disrupt their build-up play from the back. By forcing errors from Rangers’ defenders, Hibs can then exploit spaces left open during their counter-attacks. This approach has been particularly effective when Rangers push too far forward.
Set-Piece Threats
Hibernian has developed a solid set-piece strategy, capitalizing on aerial duels with players like Paul Hanlon and Ryan Porteous, who are dangerous in the air. Rangers’ defense has occasionally been vulnerable to well-placed crosses, providing Hibernian opportunities to score from set-piece situations.
Solid Defensive Shape
Defensively, Hibernian tends to maintain a compact formation, particularly when playing at home. They focus on closing down key spaces and limiting Rangers’ attacking options. This disciplined approach has often frustrated Rangers, especially when Hibs have managed to break up their rhythm and hold onto a lead.
Rangers’ Tactical Strengths
Rangers are typically the stronger side, and their tactical approach is designed to dominate possession and create attacking chances. Here’s how Rangers approach their matches against Hibernian:
Possession-Based Play and High Press
Rangers’ tactical approach centers around dominating possession and controlling the tempo of the game. Their high press aims to pin back Hibernian’s defenders, forcing them into mistakes in dangerous areas.
Exploiting Width
Rangers use the width of the pitch effectively, with wide players like Ryan Kent and Malik Tillman stretching Hibernian’s defense. With full-backs like Tavernier bombing forward, Rangers often exploit the spaces in wide areas and deliver dangerous crosses into the box.
Threat from Set-Pieces
Rangers are also a major threat from set-pieces, with Tavernier’s precise deliveries causing problems for most defenses. Players like Connor Goldson and Ben Davies offer an aerial presence, making them a constant danger during free kicks and corners.
Final Thoughts
The rivalry between Hibernian F.C. and Rangers F.C. continues to be one of the most exciting fixtures in Scottish football. While Rangers have historically dominated the head-to-head record, Hibernian has shown in recent years that they can hold their own against the Glasgow giants, particularly at home at Easter Road. Whether it’s tactical discipline, individual moments of brilliance, or a mix of both, Hibernian’s resilience continues to make this fixture one to watch.
For Rangers, they remain the favorites due to their superior squad depth and financial power. But as football often proves, the game is unpredictable, and Hibernian’s tactical approach and determination ensure these matches are always full of drama and excitement. The ongoing competition between these two clubs is bound to produce more memorable moments in the future as both teams continue their journeys in the Scottish Premiership and beyond.
FAQs:-
What is the head-to-head record between Hibernian F.C. and Rangers F.C.?
Hibernian and Rangers have faced each other numerous times in Scottish football, with Rangers traditionally dominating the fixture in terms of overall wins. As of 2024, Rangers lead the all-time head-to-head record, having won over 100 matches compared to Hibs’ around 20 wins. There have been several draws throughout their history, with the most recent encounters in the Scottish Premiership and cup competitions continuing to add to the tally.
How many times have Hibernian F.C. beaten Rangers F.C.?
As of the latest updates, Hibernian have defeated Rangers 25–30 times in competitive matches, with their most recent win coming in a Scottish Premiership match at Easter Road in the 2023-2024 season. However, these victories are relatively rare, as Rangers have historically been one of the most successful clubs in Scottish football.
What is the largest margin of victory in the Hibernian vs Rangers match?
The largest margin of victory in the Hibernian vs Rangers fixture came in the 1920s when Rangers defeated Hibs 10-0 in a Scottish League match. This remains one of the most lopsided results between the two clubs.
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