A ‘horrific fixture’ for Rangers as Hibernian seek silverware

Rangers’ tie with Hibs in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final on Saturday evening has been described as “a horrific fixture” for the struggling Ibrox club.

Russell Martin is under huge pressure with Rangers languishing 10th after no wins in his first five Premiership games, while Hibs sit third and are seeking to edge closer to a first major trophy since 2016.

“For Rangers, it’s a horrific fixture for them to be going into,” football journalist Moira Gordon told the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast.

“Hibs are a decent side. They have proven they’re not intimidated by either of the Old Firm when they play them.

“It doesn’t always mean they win it, but they’re not intimidated. They’ll go and give it a go.

“When Rangers are teetering the way they are at the moment, it’s not a game they would fancy and Hibs are one of the last teams they would want to be coming to Ibrox for this game.

“Hibs have a huge chance of silverware this season.”

Former goalkeeper Cammy Bell believes Hibs are well capable of beating Rangers as the hosts have been “so poor defensively”.

“When you look at last weekend’s defeat to Hearts, the high press, making the players uncomfortable, when Russell Martin has his players playing up from the back, you can clearly see Rangers are not comfortable doing that,” he said.

“So I think that’s the way Hibs will approach it. They’ve got the players to do it as well and the players have a lot of energy and quality about them.

“With everything that’s been going on, Hibs is probably one of the teams you wouldn’t want to face because they’re an improving side and have added quality to their squad.

“They’re young and hungry, with a manager who’s nailed it for me on and off the pitch.

“It’s a real difficult fixture for Rangers and there’s not been enough showing me this season that Rangers can beat Hibs.”