THIS was Capital punishment for Rangers. Two goals should have been enough to see off Hibernian but a brace of red cards saw the first ground lost in the Premiership title race.
James Tavernier’s penalty and a header from Tom Lawrence, after Martin Boyle had levelled for Lee Johnson’s side, had Rangers on course for a crucial three points at Easter Road.
John Lundstram and Alfredo Morelos were dismissed as Rangers were left up against it. When Josh Campbell netted with just seconds to spare, there was a sense of inevitability about it as Giovanni van Bronckhorst counted the cost on a remarkable afternoon of drama and debate.
Time will tell the full ramifications of the dropped points for Rangers in the long term. More pressingly, Lundstram and Morelos are now set to miss domestic outings.
Before then, of course, Van Bronckhorst has European issues to contend with. The trip to PSV Eindhoven is looming large and is ominous.
This was one that Rangers should have won and Hibernian will feel they could have won. Ultimately, both managers had to settle for a point each.
Johnson revealed earlier this week that he had hired the services of a sniper – after previously having speakers from the Red Arrows and the SAS – in an attempt to inspire his Easter Road squad. It was Rangers who had to learn how to shoot on sight, though.
Van Bronckhorst’s side had the lead at the break thanks to their only attempt on target but it was a shot-shy performance from Rangers as they toiled in the final third. In truth, they toiled across the pitch.
There was no rhythm about their build-up play. Moves would break down prematurely through poor decision making and slack passing and one errant moment from Borna Barisic cost Connor Goldson a yellow card as he was penalised for halting Martin Boyle in his tracks.
There were few times when Jon McLaughlin was worried. Until Tavernier slotted home, his opposite number didn’t have nearly enough to do as Rangers failed to test David Marshall.
The reluctance to have a shot was baffling. Ryan Kent and Ryan Jack were guilty early on as they found themselves in promising positions but bizarrely elected not to pull the trigger.
Later in the half, Antonio Colak teed up Lawrence and the opening goal seemed sure to follow. Rather than a shot, he tried to squad it to Kent and the chance was gone.
The frustration on the bench and in the away section was clear and Rangers were guilty, time after time, of choosing the wrong option.
Once again, Rangers had Tavernier to thank for putting them in a promising position as the captain celebrated his new long-term contract at Ibrox by opening the scoring at Easter Road.
The home support were furious that he was even given the chance to do so. As Willie Collum made his way off at the interval, the chorus of boos told their own story.
The challenge from Rocky Bushiri was soft but stupid. The tug on the shirt of Colak was enough to make him go down in the area and Collum was given the chance to point to the spot and book the defender after a moment of madness.
In true Tavernier style, he did the rest. The finish from the spot was clinical and Marshall had to pick the ball out of his net as Hibs were left to rue their own lethargy and lack of quality.
Johnson had attempted to kick-start their afternoon by introducing Christian Doidge and Marijan Cabraya after just 28 minutes. A change of shape, and the removal of Ewen Henderson before he risked a red card, was behind the switch.
But the hosts would end the half with just two touches in the Rangers box. Whatever grievances they had about the penalty award, that didn’t mask their deficiencies.
Just five minutes after the restart, Hibs finally threatened. With their first real show of attacking impetus, they pulled themselves level thanks to their returning hero.
Elie Youan burst down the left and fired in a cross to the near post. Boyle beat James Sands and Barisic to it and any touch, as it proved, was always going to be decisive from close range.
Out of nowhere, Johnson’s side were right back in it. Within minutes, Rangers had re-established their lead as they finally showed some quality in the final third.
Barisic was released from left-back and his cross had pace and precision. It was too good for the Hibs defence and Lawrence timed his run perfectly as he powered a header beyond Marshall.
It was a clinical finish to a flowing move. It proved to be Lawrence’s last major contribution as he was replaced by Scott Arfield, while Morelos took over from Colak to bring an end to a largely ineffective hour from the Croatian.
Another change would follow a couple of minutes later as Steven Davis was introduced in place of Matondo. That one was tactical and needed from Van Bronckhorst.
By that time, Lundstram was already back in the dressing room. A desperate challenge – but one that was cynical rather than dangerous - to halt Boyle on the break saw Collum go to his pocket once again and the flash of red reduced Rangers to ten men as they once again found themselves on the back foot.
The task was soon made even harder as another man was lost and the one in black again became the centre of attention. Morelos saw red this time as a flailing arm caught Cabraya in the face in an act that Collum deemed to be violent.
The Hibernian onslaught was inevitable. Rangers camped in and the clock would have ticked away slowly for Van Bronckhorst as Hibernian swarmed forward time and time again.
Eventually, the pressure paid off. The strike from Campbell – perfectly placed beyond McLaughlin from 25 yards - was worthy of winning any game but it was only enough to earn Hibernian a share of the points.
The action was ended a couple of minutes later. The debates will go on for much longer, though, after a controversial yet captivating afternoon as the sun shone on Leith.
