(Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Hibs face Rangers at Hampden this weekend in the second Premier Sports Cup semi-final – and the Easter Road side will be looking to extend a remarkable record over the champions at Hampden that stretches back over 42 years.
While the Scottish Cup win in 2016 still lives fresh in the memory of Hibs fans, you need to go all the way back to 1979 for the last time the Cabbage headed back across the M8 from Hampden on the losing side against Rangers.
Alan Stubbs lifted the Scottish Cup last time the sides met at Hampden (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty)
Admittedly, there have only been three Hampden meetings between the two sides in the time since – plus one at Celtic Park which Rangers won after extra-time – however the 1979 Scottish Cup final victory for Rangers is the Gers’ ONLY Hampden win over the Easter Road side.
A win for Hibs would be a massive boost for Jack Ross’ side after a recent slump in form saw them lose ground at the top of the table and slide down to sixth in the table.
Their chances of a Hampden win and a place in the final against Celtic or St Johnstone could be boosted by a potential return for Christian Doidge after the Welshman returned to training following an Achilles injury.
With a few faces still at Easter Road from the 2016 Scottish Cup win, there are some in Jack Ross’ squad who have experience of facing Rangers at the national stadium and that could prove invaluable on Sunday.
The Light Blues will have a relatively inexperienced coaching team at Hampden with David McCallum and Brian Gilmour leading the side ahead of Giovanni van Bronckhorst taking the reins next week.
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