Rangers sink to 43-year low amid James Tavernier sideshow as Hibs set up European shoot-out

Even that, though, would prove beyond them. Thelo Aasgaard lashed in a brilliant free kick late in the first half to cancel out Martin Boyle’s opener for Hibernian but, for all their dominance, Rangers couldn’t find a winner in yet another flat second-half performance.

Instead, that went the way of Hibernian, Dean Scarlett spearing in a late winner to condemn Rangers to a fourth successive league defeat for the first time since 1983. They concluded their home fixtures without James Tavernier’s involvement – left out after reacting badly to only being named among the replacements rather than in the starting line-up – and without any sort of cheer for their long-suffering supporters.

The victory did at least keep alive Hibs’ chances of pipping Motherwell to fourth place – and a guarantee of European football – when the pair meet at Easter Road this weekend.

Rangers weren’t meant to be the story given what was unfolding elsewhere but decided to barge their way onto the sports agenda anyway. Tavernier’s exclusion from the squad for what was set to be his final home appearance after 11 years set jaws dropping and tongues wagging.

The defender’s image was plastered all over the cover of the matchday programme, while Rohl’s column predicted it would be “an emotional occasion” for the long-serving stalwart. That part at least did come true, even if not in the manner expected.

Tavernier looked clearly emotional and close to tears as Ibrox icon John Greig presented him pre-match with a silver salver before he took the acclaim of the crowd as footage of his contribution to the cause - 144 goals and 148 assists - was shown on the big screens.

Rohl was vague when asked if Tavernier could yet feature against Falkirk but, regardless, this was a sad way for the Englishman’s often love-hate relationship with the fans to come to an end.

Tavernier will be off in the summer and there are no guarantees Rohl will still be at Ibrox next season either. The German insists he has the backing of his board despite a third place, trophyless finish but large swathes of the fanbase remain unconvinced. The only chanting of his name here came sarcastically from the Hibs fans in the corner.

The visitors were the only team with something tangible at stake here and duly garnered an early lead. Emmanuel Fernandez, who had seen a bullet header saved, was caught dawdling up the pitch as the visitors countered. Jordan Obita crossed to where Fernandez would usually be stationed leaving Boyle unmarked to volley beyond Jack Butland before executing Tavernier’s trademark baseball-swing celebration. Mark it down as a tribute.

Rangers started the day as the league’s leading scorers, something of a surprise given how wasteful they tend to be in front of goal. It was a similar story here as they pummelled Hibs in search of an equaliser but seemingly having left their cutting edge in the dressing room. Aasgaard missed twice, Dujon Sterling lifted another chance over the crossbar before Connor Barron finally lashed one on target, a howitzer from outside the box that Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger did brilliantly to push around the post.

The Hibs fans cheered that save loudly and then news of Celtic’s goals at Fir Park. They were more subdued, however, four minutes from half-time when Rangers drew level. It was a brilliant strike from Asgaard who drew Warren O’Hara into a foul on the edge of the box then smacked the resultant free kick into the top corner.

The chances in the second half dropped from a torrent to a dribble. Barron thudded another effort wide while Bojan Miovski couldn’t slide his shot under the crossbar after Sallinger had saved from Mikey Moore. It was Hibs, though, who won it a minute from time. Scarlett – who had been denied just moments later – thumped a shot past Butland after fastening onto Felix Passlack’s pass. Rangers’ misery was complete.