Top gun Alfredo Morelos delivered for Rangers on Armed Forces Day to send Steven Gerrard’s men back to the Scottish Premiership summit.
But the Ibrox side were made to work for it against Hibs as they were forced to come from behind after Kevin Nisbet’s early opener for the visitors.
And there was a huge turning point as Ryan Porteous was shown a straight red card by referee Nick Walsh on the half hour mark for a lung on Joe Aribo.
Rangers took advantage of that as substitute Kemar Roofe climbed off the bench to level before Morelos headed the winner to leave him just one short of a century of Gers goals.
It was gut-wrenching for Jack Ross who is still searching for his first victory over Rangers as a manager.
The Light Blues started well enough but it was Hibs who grabbed the lead with a well worked goal from the visitors.
It was excellent play from Chris Cadden down the right who beat Borna Barisic to swing in a cross and Nisbet peeled away and planted a brilliant header beyond Allan McGregor.
Yet again Rangers were slow to get going and they didn’t react to that early set back but they were handed a huge advantage by that Porteous moment of madness.
The defender was reckless and out of control as he flew into a challenge that left Joe Aribo writhing in agony and Nick Walsh had no option but to show him a straight red.
Would that be what Gers needed to spark them into life? They had a chance to take a quick advantage and Leon Balogun spurned a glorious opportunity when he sent an effort wide.
Hibs gaffer Ross had to react to his side going a man down and Scott Allan was sacrificed as Darren McGregor came on against his old club.
Rangers started to turn the screw and Alfredo Morelos headed over from a good position from a Barisic cross and Scott Wright’s shot from Nathan Patterson’s cross was deflected wide.
The home side continued to pile on the pressure after the restart but couldn’t find that breakthrough and Gerrard made an early change as Roofe replaced Glen Kamara.
And that proved a shrewd switch as it was the former Anderlecht man who drew Gers level on the hour mark.
Patterson was the creator with a lovely floated ball into the box and Roofe got himself into space before directing a header beyond Matt Macey.
Former Arsenal keeper Macey then came to Hibs rescue with a brilliant save to deny a strike from Ianis Hagi.
Here's three talking points from Ibrox Stadium:
Rash Ryan in more Gers controversy
The one thing you can guarantee when Ryan Porteous lines up against Rangers is that he’ll be involved some sort of incident.
There is certainly no love lost between the Light Blues and the no-nonsense stopper and he was in the headlines again with his sending off.
Last season Steven Gerrard refused to shake the defender’s hand after a 2-2 draw at Easter Road and the Ibrox boss later called him “cheap”.
He had previously been sent off for an X-rated challenge on Borna Barisic so there was a bit of bad blood there.
And Porteous was luck to escape a red card for a horror tackle on Lassana Coulibaly three years ago but he wasn’t so fortunate here with his out-of-control challenge.
Deja Blue
Steven Gerrard was unhappy at suggestions his side hadn’t sparked into life yet this season but there is no hiding that fact.
They got the vital victory here and that is all that matters as they returned to the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
However, the team still haven’t hit top gear yet and while that might come there has to be a bit of cause for concern over the form.
The Ryan Porteous red card undoubtedly was a big turning point and but for that we’ll never know how this might have panned out.
But next up is another top of the table clash when Hearts are the visitors and that will be a chance to find top gear.
Hammer blow for Hibees
This was a big pressure game for Jack Ross and his side with a lot of questions over whether they could continue their fine early season form.
A trip away to either of the Old Firm is usually when title talk is silence and that might be the case after this defeat.
But it doesn’t tell the entire story as we’ll never know how the game might have panned out if it wasn’t for the Ryan Porteous red card.
They were looking good after Kevin Nisbet’s early goal until Porteous was given his marching orders and they were always going to be up against it after that.
Hibs now have the international break do dust themselves down before hosting Dundee United and the test will be to see how they react to this.
