Hibernian Hold Rangers To Dramatic Goalless Draw In Premiership Clash

The Scottish Premiership title race remains as tight as ever after an intense, goalless draw between Hibernian and Rangers at Easter Road on Sunday, February 1, 2026. This eagerly anticipated encounter, which had fans buzzing across Edinburgh and beyond, saw both sides battle fiercely but ultimately settle for a single point apiece—a result that could have significant ramifications for the league’s upper echelons.

Coming into this fixture, Rangers were riding a wave of domestic momentum. Danny Rohl’s men had strung together six consecutive league wins, clawing their way into second place with 47 points from 23 matches, just six points behind leaders Hearts, who had notched a commanding 3-0 victory over Dundee United the previous day. The Gers had recently suffered a European setback, falling 3-1 to FC Porto, but their focus had quickly shifted back to domestic matters, where every point now counts in the chase for the title.

Hibernian, meanwhile, were looking to bounce back from a bruising 3-0 loss to Falkirk that had dented both their confidence and their hopes of European qualification. David Gray’s side, sitting fifth in the table with 35 points from 23 matches, had endured a rocky start to the season but found their feet in recent weeks, winning eight of their last 16 fixtures. However, the loss of key contributors, including top scorer Kieron Bowie—recently sold to Hellas Verona for a club-record £6.5 million—meant the Hibees needed to dig deep and find new sources of inspiration.

The atmosphere at Easter Road was electric as the teams took to the field for a 2pm kick-off. Hibernian, missing several key players due to injury—Josh Mulligan, Josh Campbell, Chris Cadden, and Warren O’Hara—were forced to shuffle their lineup. New loan signing Dane Scarlett from Tottenham was available on the bench, while Gray looked to the likes of Martin Boyle and Élie Youan to provide a spark in attack. Rangers, too, were without some regulars—Bailey Rice, Connor Barron, Derek Cornelius, and Dujon Sterling all sidelined—but could still call on the likes of Jack Butland in goal, whose performances have drawn praise throughout the campaign.

Rohl’s starting XI featured Butland between the sticks, with a back line of Dujon Sterling, John Souttar, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Jayden Meghoma. In midfield, Nicolas Raskin and Tochi Chukwuani were tasked with controlling the tempo, while Andreas Skov Olsen, Thelo Aasgaard, and Djeidi Gassama supported lone striker Youssef Chermiti. The bench included attacking options such as Mikey Moore and Bojan Miovski, ready to make an impact if called upon.

From the opening whistle, both teams displayed a blend of caution and ambition. The first 20 minutes were defined by cagey play and a flurry of set pieces, but clear-cut chances were at a premium. Hibernian soon found their rhythm, with Youan forcing Butland into a sharp save and Boyle nearly breaking the deadlock after slipping behind the Gers’ defense—only to be denied by the ever-reliable Rangers goalkeeper.

As the first half wore on, Hibs pressed forward, buoyed by a raucous home crowd. Yet, despite several promising moves, the final ball was lacking. Rangers, for their part, struggled to string together meaningful attacks, registering just two shots on target throughout the match. Thelo Aasgaard and Skov Olsen showed flashes of creativity, but the Hibs back line, marshaled by Grant Hanley and Jack Iredale, held firm.

"There will be some important matches and we must all be together. It will need everyone, the fans and everyone around us. At the moment there is a good atmosphere, and as a group we just need to keep encouraging each other. There will be many games where we need someone to bring a little magic," said Rangers forward Mikey Moore, reflecting the sense of unity and determination within the squad.

The second half began with renewed urgency from both sides. Hibernian’s substitutions around the 70th minute injected energy and mobility, as Gray sought to capitalize on their growing momentum. Rangers responded by introducing Moore around the 55th minute, hoping his pace and directness could unlock the Hibs defense. Still, the breakthrough proved elusive. The final 15 minutes saw end-to-end action, with both teams pushing for a winner and fans living every moment in the stands.

In the dying minutes, Rangers thought they had snatched victory when Moore found the net, only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal out for offside. The tension was palpable as six minutes of added time ticked away, but neither side could find the decisive touch. The final whistle blew with the score locked at 0-0—a result that left both camps with mixed feelings.

For Rangers, the draw halted their six-game Premiership winning streak and left them six points adrift of Hearts, with Celtic also lurking in the background under the rejuvenated guidance of Martin O’Neill. Rohl’s men will rue missed opportunities but remain very much in the title race, with a game in hand offering a potential lifeline.

"The threat of Hibs? It’s a very difficult game, and it’s never easy. They already saw it the last time we played against them, so we will have to work hard to get a good result, and we may need someone who has key moments. As a team, we need to strive, and that is achieved both individually and as a team. I try to do it myself, but we also need to work hard as a team," Moore added, underlining the challenge posed by Hibernian and the collective effort required for success.

Hibernian, meanwhile, will take heart from a resilient performance, especially after recent setbacks. David Gray praised his squad’s response: "If you remember the games we played against the Rangers this season, they have been by very little margin, but they have won us. I think we really want to try to correct it. There is enough confidence and quality in the group to try. A 90-minute performance will be required."

Statistically, the match reflected the balance on the pitch. Rangers now extend their unbeaten run as visitors at Easter Road to 28 matches, while Hibernian continue to search for a breakthrough against the Glasgow giants. The result leaves Hibs fifth, still within striking distance of the European places, and provides a platform to build upon as the season enters its crucial phase.

Looking ahead, both teams face a demanding February packed with pivotal fixtures. Rangers, eager to keep their title hopes alive, will need to rediscover their cutting edge in front of goal. Hibernian, buoyed by their defensive solidity, will aim to translate resilience into points as they chase continental qualification.

As the dust settles on a fiercely contested afternoon in Leith, the Scottish Premiership title race remains wide open. Hearts may have gained some breathing room, but with plenty of football left to play, neither Rangers nor Hibernian will be giving up the chase any time soon.