Hibs Stun Rangers with 2-1 Victory: Penalty Decision Explained

David Gray insisted Hibernian’s first-half penalty at Ibrox was the only decision referee Don Robertson could reach once VAR intervened – and he left Glasgow with three points to back up his argument.

Hibs stunned Rangers with a 2-1 win on Sunday, Josh Campbell converting from the spot before Callum Wright’s stoppage-time solo strike silenced the home crowd. Jordan Obita’s late own goal had briefly ignited Ibrox, hinting at a familiar script. Hibs tore it up.

Game Flashpoint

The game’s flashpoint arrived long before the chaos of the closing minutes. In the first half, Vanja Dragojević was penalised for dragging down Jason Kerr at a corner, a call that dominated the post-match debate.

For Gray, the controversy evaporated the moment he saw the replay.

“Straight away the referees have come in and spoke to us about it,” the Easter Road head coach explained, pointing to recent guidance on grappling at set plays and the clampdown on defenders focusing on the man, not the ball.

At first, even he barely registered it.

“At the time I didn't think much of it and my goalie coach said straight away it could be a penalty,” Gray admitted. Rangers broke up the pitch, the incident seemed to pass, and then VAR pulled it back.

That was the turning point.

“Seeing it back now I think the officials and VAR have no option but to give it,” Gray said. “He's put them in a position where they have to give it. He's not looking at the ball, he's impeding the player that's trying to head the ball and the ball lands in that area.

“It's left the referee no choice but to give the penalty and I think it's the right decision.”

Campbell buried the kick. Ibrox bristled. Hibs grew.

Rangers’ late equaliser, forced by Obita’s misfortune, might have broken a weaker side. Instead, it jolted Hibs into one last surge. When Wright weaved through in stoppage time and finished, the away end erupted and the home support stared on in disbelief.

On a day dominated by one decision in the box, Gray left with a landmark win – and a clear, unwavering stance on the call that helped shape it.