Alious Gray Outshines Ferguson as Hibs Stun Rangers with Historic Ibrox Victory
In a clash between two former captains now patrolling the technical area, it was David Gray who came out on top as his Hibernian side secured a stunning 2-0 win away to Barry Ferguson’s Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday. The result not only extended Hibs’ remarkable unbeaten run to 16 matches but also marked their first victory at the Glasgow ground since 2018—an achievement that further cements Gray’s growing reputation as a top-tier manager.
Gordon Dalziel, a former Rangers striker, had previously pinpointed January’s thrilling 3-3 draw between these teams as Gray’s arrival moment as a serious Premiership tactician. But if that earlier result hinted at his managerial potential, Saturday’s composed and well-executed triumph offered definitive proof.
While Ferguson was left fuming on the touchline—his emotions visibly boiling over in a display of trademark passion—Gray remained composed, visibly pleased as his well-drilled side executed their game plan to perfection. The result left Rangers dealing with yet more frustration, especially with Ferguson’s post-match admission that he was “absolutely raging” at the performance.
### Hibs Capitalise on Early Error as Rangers Falter Again
The breakthrough came early, courtesy of a costly mistake from Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland—his latest in a troubling series of errors since the winter break. Dylan Levitt pounced to put Hibs ahead just eight minutes into the match. Despite Rangers controlling the majority of possession and registering more than double the shot count, they failed to convert dominance into goals.
Wasted opportunities by Cyriel Dessers and a near miss from Nedim Bajrami, who rattled the crossbar, only compounded Rangers’ misery. In contrast, Hibs were ruthlessly efficient. Martin Boyle’s late finish sealed the win and added gloss to a performance built on collective resilience and smart tactical discipline.
### Gray’s Tactical Discipline and Belief Rewarded
“It’s massive. The last time we won here was in 2018,” Gray said, glowing with pride. “We started the game exactly how we wanted—calm, confident, and decisive.”
With just 28% possession and significantly fewer attempts on goal, Hibs made their few chances count, while defensively they were superb. Centre-backs Rocky Bushiri and Nectar Triantis formed an immovable partnership, repelling wave after wave of Rangers attacks.
Gray, recently named Manager of the Month, brushed aside any suggestion of a curse typically associated with the accolade. “The plan was always to be solid without the ball because we knew Rangers would dominate possession,” he explained. “Everyone stuck to their roles, and the substitutes who came on made a real difference.”
He emphasized the importance of unity and mental steadiness throughout their remarkable run. “We never got too high after a win, and we didn’t drop our heads when results weren’t perfect. We kept believing.”
As Hibs continue their ascent, Gray’s message is clear: “If we keep winning, no one can stop us. That’s our mindset moving forward.”
A landmark win at Ibrox and a continuation of an extraordinary run—Gray’s credentials as a long-term manager are only growing stronger with every passing week.
Alious
