Rangers losing run continues as James Tavernier misses out on final Ibrox game

Rangers’ post-split collapse continued with a 2-1 defeat against Hibernian amid controversy surrounding captain James Tavernier’s role at his Ibrox send-off.

The 34-year-old right-back withdrew from the squad after being named on the bench by Danny Rohl for what was to be his last game in Govan after 11 years at the club – then emerged from the tunnel to be presented with a commemorative shield by former Gers skipper and manager John Greig with the fans enthusiastic in their cheers, before they settled down to more despair.

After three defeats in a row for the first time since 2000, the pressure was on Rangers who fell behind after just five minutes to a fine Martin Boyle finish.

Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger pulled off a series of saves and there was also some poor Gers finishing before midfielder Thelo Aasgaard levelled with a terrific free-kick four minutes from the break.

But in the final minute of the game Hibs substitute Dane Scarlett scored from close range to take all three points back to Easter Road.

Rangers’ dismal recent form had left Hearts and Celtic to fight it out for the title with Rohl’s side consigned to a third-place finish.

The heavily criticised German coach had revealed assurances from the board about his future but he will need to do much better to appease the home supporters, whose enthusiasm for the game was revealed by plenty of empty seats, while another defeat elicited more anger.

However, his side’s dead rubber fixture started positively with Sallinger making a fine save from Emmanuel Fernandez’s header from a Mikey Moore corner.

The visitors survived and in their first real attack took the lead when the unmarked Boyle confidently volleyed a Jordan Obita cross past Gers keeper Jack Butland from 12 yards.

Aasgaard had a drive blocked by Sallinger before the keeper saved an unconvincing shot from Youssef Chermiti and then a better effort from Connor Barron, whose thunderbolt was from distance.

The Hibs keeper, however, had no chance when Aasgaard’s free-kick from outside the box curled into the top corner to restore parity.

The start to the second half was low-key.

Neither side could get a grip of the game nor fashion chances that could be described as clear-cut, with set-pieces also coming to nothing.

Rangers kept probing but lacked the incision required to open up a sturdy Hibees rearguard.

In the 67th minute the home side did get through but Sallinger saved Moore’s close-range shot before Gers substitute Bojan Miovski blasted the rebound high over the crossbar.

In a Hibs breakaway in the 83rd minute Scarlett raced away from Nasser Djiga but could not beat Butland, who also saved Felix Passlack’s drive from the loose ball.

But when Scarlett was presented with a chance in the 89th minute from a Passlack cut-back, he made no mistake.

It now remains to be seen whether Rangers fans will see Tavernier on or off the bench in the final game of the season at Falkirk on Saturday.