Raskin Shines as Rangers Beat Hibernian Amid Fan Protests
It was one of those days at Ibrox where the drama off the pitch almost threatened to overshadow the football being played on it. Before a ball was even kicked, Rangers manager Russell Martin found himself the target of fierce protests. His name and face were scrawled across banners, bed sheets, and posters, with messages declaring him the “worst manager in history.” Fans gathered outside the stadium demanding change, while inside, play was disrupted as balls were thrown onto the pitch. Thousands of seats were left empty, a stark reminder of the growing discontent among supporters.
Yet, despite that storm, Martin’s side walked away with a 2–0 victory over Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final — a result that offered at least a temporary reprieve for the under-fire coach. The win wasn’t just about progression in the competition, it was about showing a glimmer of resilience at a time when the noise around the club has been deafening.
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The early signs weren’t reassuring. In the first half, Hibs thought they had taken the lead when Martin Boyle slipped the ball past goalkeeper Jack Butland, only for VAR to rule it out for a handball. That reprieve seemed to settle Rangers, and soon the momentum shifted. Nico Raskin, back in the lineup after a spell of tension with his manager, made the difference. The Belgian midfielder glanced in a James Tavernier corner just before halftime, marking his return with the kind of performance fans had been crying out for. His energy, clever movement, and willingness to take risks in possession gave Rangers the spark they had badly lacked in recent matches.
As the game wore on, Hibs struggled to respond, and in stoppage time Bojan Miovski added a second — his first goal since joining from Girona. The scoreline flattered neither side, but what it gave Rangers was a chance to breathe. They booked their place in the semi-finals alongside St Mirren, Motherwell, and the winner of Celtic’s tie with Partick Thistle.
For Martin, the relief was clear. After days of heavy criticism, he praised his players and staff for sticking together under pressure. He admitted the protests could not be controlled, but he stressed that the performance was, and on that front he felt the team delivered.
Still, one result does not erase the larger problems. Rangers remain second-bottom in the league, winless after five games, nine points adrift of rivals Celtic and Hearts. Supporters’ frustrations won’t vanish overnight. But with Raskin back in the fold and Miovski off the mark, there are signs of life for a team that has looked adrift.
So while the banners and protests reminded everyone of the turbulence around Ibrox, the scoreboard told another story — one of progression, small but significant. For Russell Martin, it wasn’t salvation, but it was survival, at least for now.
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