Hibs and Rangers serve up magnificently petty season finale amid one serious Easter Road takeaway

What a magnificently petty afternoon this was although a more serious takeaway could not be ignored, which was another shocking refereeing decision.

It isn’t solely on Nick Walsh (yes, him again). But VAR was firmly back in the firing line for failing to award a goal even though the ball had clearly crossed the line after Nico Raskin and Rocky Bushiri had fought each other for possession, with the Rangers player having seemingly succeeded in prodding the ball over the line.

Almost inevitably, Hibs went straight up the park and scored an equaliser through Kieron Bowie’s unerring finish from eight yards out following Martin Boyle’s cutback.

Rangers believe they have a scored a second through Nicolas Raskin as Rocky Bushiri clears off the line - but no goal was awarded. (Photo by Sammy Turner / SNS Group) | SNS Group

Just to add some salt into Rangers’ wounds, the Hibs goal underwent a VAR check for offside, something that failed to happen with respects to their own seemingly legitimate strike.

It would have made it 2-0 and Rangers’ post-match anger reflected their contention that the latest VAR-centred outrage had robbed them of a win. It’s Barry Ferguson you feel most sorry for. He really needed the victory in what was his final chance to persuade the prospective new owners of Rangers that he can take the fight to Celtic.

Although Cyriel Dessers swept Rangers in front inside three minutes, this probably wasn’t persuasive enough. At that point, with Dessers having taken advantage of a defensive calamity from Hibs, another 5-5 looked on the cards in the end-of-season sunshine.

Although not quite as chaotic as that meeting between the same two teams on the last day of the 2017-18 season, this ran it close. It was also notable for Martin Boyle scoring his 99th goal for Hibs.

Martin Boyle celebrates after scoring his 99th goal for Hibs to make it 2-2 against Rangers at Easter Road. (Photo by Sammy Turner / SNS Group) | SNS Group

Boyle plays starring role

This was an appropriate way to mark the news that he would be staying at Easter Road for another season although his milestone 100th goal remained elusive, for the time being. He did have a good chance towards the end after a defence-splitting through ball from Dwight Gayle but the winger took a heavy touch at the worst possible moment. Gayle, playing his last game before retirement, was named man of the match ahead of more obvious contenders in what was a fitting tribute at the end of a fine career.

Otherwise, Boyle would surely have been awarded the bottle of bubbly. He was a constant thorn in Rangers’ side with an assist and the goal that secured a point for his team, albeit it was essentially a meaningless fixture between two teams sitting securely in second and third place.

There was still scope for one team to enjoy having bragging rights: the Hibs Under-18 side. They were invited onto the pitch at half-time having recently won the CAS Elite Under-18 league championship title ahead of Rangers, who finished second. The players made a special effort to parade the cup in front of the visiting fans, much to the enjoyment of the home supporters. The Rangers fans responded as one might have expected.

Hibs youngsters parade The Under-18s Elite League trophy during the half-time break of the 2-2 draw against Rangers. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group) | SNS Group

‘Ghost’ goal controversary

It was enjoyable, knockabout stuff. Nicky Cadden had earlier been involved in a comical contretemps with Barry Ferguson, with the interim Rangers manager refusing to take a step to his right to accommodate the Hibs player’s run-up as he attempted to take a free-kick near the away dugout.

When Ferguson did finally assent to give him room, Cadden promptly sent the kick curling out of play. Ferguson looked like he was about to burst out laughing although this was far from what he felt like doing 15 minutes in, when Rangers were denied what seemed like a clear second goal.

The authorities might have desperately hoped that this ‘ghost goal’ for Rangers did not materially affect the outcome and for a while it looked like they might get their wish, with the visitors re-establishing their lead six minutes after half-time. It was even Raskin who scored it. The Belgian midfielder was not to be denied getting his name on the scoresheet in what could be his last appearance for Rangers, if speculation is to be believed. He underlined his perhaps surprising aerial ability with a fine near post header from James Tavernier’s corner.

Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers celebrates after scoring the opening goal in the 2-2 draw with Hibs at Easter Road. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group) | SNS Group

Hibs responded just over 15 minutes later. Nicky Cadden sent in a typically delicious cross from the left from which Boyle, very untypically of him, steered into the far corner with his head.

It means Hibs are still unbeaten at Easter Road this year. It was not a day to lose this record. There was a minute’s applause for Sir Tom Farmer, the former Hibs owner whose death was announced last weekend at the age of 84.

The tribute was mildly disrupted by some singing from a section of Rangers fans but not to the extent that it detracted from the spectacle as the Easter Road family rose as one to salute someone described by the Tannoy announcer as having “built the foundations of modern Hibs”.