In a scrappy contest, Michael Mols’ first half strike seemed to have been enough to earn Rangers another 1-0 win but sub Stephen Dobbie’s equaliser forced the tie into extra time and when no side could break the deadlock spot kicks were required to separate them.
The penalties brought with them a sense of déjà vu for Frank de Boer whose missed penalties cost Holland a place in the final of Euro 2000 and it was he who slid Rangers’ seventh penalty against the post and with it a place in the final also went a-begging.
Such a dramatic conclusion had seemed unlikely following a low-key start to proceedings.
At a half-empty, sodden Hampden with the rain teeming from the heavens the factors were against this being a cup classic and the first half offered little to suggest otherwise.
The Rangers line-up again boasted more alterations than a tailor’s shop, with Ronald de Boer starting his first match since August and Mikel Arteta, Craig Moore and Shota Arveladze all making welcome returns to the side as well.
Hibs have ran the Light Blues close in recent years without ever turning them over and they started confidently here as they sought out an elusive win, with Derek Riordan in particular a menacing threat up front.
It was Rangers, however, who had the game’s first chance after only two minutes but Mols could only sidefoot Mo Ross’ incisive cross over the error.
It was a glaring error from a player out of form but the Dutchman was to redeem himself later in the half.
As has been the case in Rangers’ recent matches, this was a scrappy affair with the bulk of the action taking place in the middle of the park rather than in front of either goal.
Stefan Klos – looking to earn his fifth shut-out in succession – again had very little to do although he was left stranded after 26 minutes when Frank de Boer was short with a backpass and both players could only look on gratefully as Riordan dragged his shot just wide of target.
The game burst into life just a minute later when Rangers were awarded a penalty following the sweetest move of the match.
Arteta and Fernando Ricksen combined to send Ronald de Boer in on goal and as he tried to round Daniel Andersson the goalkeeper bundled him to the ground.
After some delay, Arteta stepped up but his weak effort was easily saved by the clearly-delighted Andersson.
Rangers continued to press and, after Mols had headed over Michael Ball’s cross, the Dutchman made it third time lucky when he shot Rangers in front after 39 minutes.
Ronald de Boer’s quick throw in was dummied cleverly by Shota Arveladze allowing the rampant Ross to motor in on goal.
His slide-rule pass sent Mols clean on goal and he atoned for his earlier errors by slamming a crisp shot past the helpless keeper.
It was the former Utrecht frontman’s first goal since December 9 and he almost had another just before the break when he headed against the post.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Rangers the dominant side but without any real penetration up front.
Arteta flashed a shot just wide of target following a cute knock-down from Mols before Christian Nerlinger powered in an effort that Andersson dived to smother.
Ross was looking especially potent down the right flank and on the hour mark he set up a gilt-edged chance for Arteta – the Spaniard screwed his attempt wide – before firing in a shot of his own that was well saved by the keeper.
Rangers, however, were to pay for their prolifigacy when Hibs equalised with 78 minutes gone and to rub salt into the wounds it was a former Ibrox player who scored it.
Stephen Dobbie – released by Rangers last summer – had only been on the pitch for three minutes as a replacement for Roland Edge when he cottoned on to a loose ball in the penalty box to send a shot high past Klos.
The goal seemed to suck the life out of Gers and, with Ronald de Boer and Arteta already off, they were forced onto the back foot for the remainder of regulation time as Hibs bombarbed the Rangers goal looking to force a winner.
It was the Light Blues who had the best chance to steal it right on 90 minutes but when Ricksen launched his free kick high over the crossbar extra-time beckoned.
The first period was a tense affair, with Hibs’ youthful exuberance forcing Rangers back but without creating anything to really trouble Klos.
The Light Blues started the second period with greater urgency and Moore passed up a great chance at the back post after a stramash at a corner before Egil Ostenstad’s handball brought an end to what had looked a promising move.
Moment later Dobbie was breaking Rangers’ hearts again when he cleared a drive from Moore off the line as the Light Blues applied some sustained pressure towards the Hibs goal.
After such a low-key beginning, this match had finally caught fire and play raged openly from end to end with both sides seeking out a late winner to avoid the lottery of a penalty shoot-out.
Riordan had a great turn and shot that Klos grabbed gratefully before Ostenstad slid a last-gasp chance from Paolo Vanoli’s cross just past the post – although the linesman’s flag would have seen it ruled out in any case.
So, penalties it was with both sides kicking towards the traditional Rangers end of the ground looking to book a place in next month’s final.
Rangers recovered from missing their first two – Arveladze sent his kick over the bar while Ball’s attempt forced a great save from Andersson – to force sudden death when Moore, Nerlinger and Vanoli all converted their and Dobbie and O’Connor had missed for Hibs.
When Matt Doumbe then missed Hibs’ sixth kick the stage was set for Zurab Khizanishvili to shoot Rangers into the final but he could only watch on in agony as Andersson pushed his effort onto the crossbar.
After Colin Murdock converted his effort, it was left to the experienced Frank de Boer to keep Rangers in the tie and his effort battered against the post and Rangers’ undefeated cup run had come to a shuddering halt.
HIBS (4-4-2): 13 Andersson; 22 Reid (McManus 46), 14 Doumbe, 5 Murodck, 3 Edge (Dobbie 75); 18 S Brown, 26 Caldwell, 16 Wiss (Whittaker 57), 19 Thompson; 10 Riordan, 9 O’Connor
Subs not used: Nicol, A Brown
Booked: O’Connor (40), McManus (55), Thompson (70)
RANGERS (4-4-2): 1 Klos; 21 Ross (Vanoli 88), 5 F de Boer, 3 Moore, 18 Ball; 2 Ricksen, 23 Arteta (Khizanishvili 73), 8 Nerlinger, 7 Arveladze; 10 Mols, 14 R de Boer (Ostenstad 72)
Subs not used: McGregor, Capucho
Booked: Ross (70), Ostenstad (83), Vanoli (116)
Man of the Match: Craig Moore