Rangers 2 Hibs U19s 2

The wee Hibees extended their unbeaten league streak to 22 games following a score draw in Glasgow against title contenders, Rangers.

The hosts twice took the lead at the Rangers Training Centre, but goals from Jamie McMurdo and Logan Jimenez secured Darren McGregor’s side a well-earned point to take back to the capital.

There were three changes to the starting XI that started our 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock two weeks ago, as Cole Shankland, Lewis Gillie and Josh McDonald were replaced by Lewis McNeill, Dean Cleland and Jay Gallacher. 

Hibernian U19s XI: Mallon, MacDonald, McGrath, McSporran, McNeill, Bruce, Cleland, Gallacher, McMurdo, Davidson, Jimenez.

Substitutes: Brown, Downie, Buckley, Shankland.

The first of back-to-back matches against the Gers, as we take them on again next week in the League Cup, started poorly for Hibs as the hosts took an early lead.

After just six minutes, a corner delivery caused havoc inside the Hibs penalty area and – after a number of deflections and swipes at the ball – Conor Owen slammed in the opener beyond Ryan Mallon.

Rangers keeper Rydnn McGuire would be caught out soon after at the other end, however, with McMurdo capitalising on a slack pass from the home side’s skipper to level proceedings with a low finish.

On the cusp of half-time, the visitors reinstated their slender lead through Kyle Glasgow after coming close on a handful of occasions.

The Scottish-Portuguese midfielder crafted just enough space from the edge of the area to deliver a dangerous ball over the visiting defence, that had just enough on it to creep into the Hibs goal.

After the second-half restart, Hibs grew into the match and tested McGuire with a smattering of chances that showed the change in momentum in the clash.

On 73 minutes, Jimenez would find the sought-after equaliser to keep the Hibees on track at the top-end of the league table. 

The Bermudan forward’s smart movement allowed him the opportunity to rise above opposition defenders to head home into the bottom corner and seal a crucial point for the Hibees.

Both sides would threaten in the latter stages, with Hibs unfortunate not to fire in a third to seal a crucial comeback victory on the road. 

The draw means that Hibs remain level on points with Rangers in the top two positions in the CAS Elite U19 League, though we hold a game in hand over the first-place side.