It was a hard-fought three points for the Light Blues as they continued their unbeaten start to the league campaign with a victory in Edinburgh.
Malky Thomson welcomed Hannah Davison and Jenny Danielsson back into the squad as they both returned from injury to start this afternoon.
That meant Rangers line-up at Meadowbank with Jenna Fife in goal and a back four of Nicola Docherty, Hannah Davison, Lisa Martinez and Rachel McLauchlan.
Tessel Middag, Sam Kerr and Chelsea Cornet were in midfield with Brogan Hay and Jenny Danielsson supporting striker Kayla McCoy.
It was the first meeting of the sides this campaign and the Edinburgh side were proving difficult to break down in the early stages.
Kayla McCoy saw a shot blocked after getting on the end of a ball forward from Rachel
McLauchlan before Sam Kerr headed over from a Nicola Docherty cross.
As the match approached the half-hour mark, clear-cut chances were few and far between with Jenny Danielsson threatening with a dangerous ball into the box in search of striker Kayla McCoy but it was cleared by Siobhan Hunter on the line.
Hibs were looking to threaten too with Shannon McGregor advancing down the right for the hosts before whipping a ball into the box but it was gathered by goalkeeper Jenna Fife. Shortly after, Krystyna Freda had a shot at goal but she couldn’t keep it on target as it drifted wide of the post.
Rangers came close on the stroke of half-time as Sam Kerr’s looping header dipped just over the bar and saw the game go in goalless at the break.
Into the second-half, the Light Blues had the ball in the net with just over five minutes played as Brogan Hay delivered another ball into the box which Kayla McCoy headed beyond Benedicte Haaland but the linesman raised his flag for offside and the goal was disallowed.
The breakthrough did come for Rangers shortly after though, and it was a stunning strike from midfielder Tessel Middag. The Light Blues were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box after Chelsea Cornet was taken down by Shannon McGregor.
Middag stepped up to take the free-kick and sent a powerful right-footed shot high into the back of the net beyond Haaland.
With 20 minutes of the match remaining, Malky Thomson made his first change as Maddie Nolf was introduced in place of Jenny Danielsson.
Kayla McCoy had a long-range effort deflected just inches wide as Rangers looked for a second goal in this match. From the resulting corner, Tessel Middag’s set-piece was sent towards goal by Lisa Martinez but it was again just wide of the target.
There was another double substitution for Gers as Malky Thomson’s side looked to secure the points this afternoon. Emma Watson and Kirsty Howat were introduced, with Kayla McCoy and Brogan Hay replaced.
Within seconds of being on the pitch, Watson was denied by Haaland as she raced through on goal and fired a low effort towards goal but it was blocked well by the Hibs goalkeeper.
Rangers were continuing to search for that second goal in the final few minutes as Kirsty Howat released a strike from distance which Haaland managed to tip onto the crossbar before the danger was clear.
With four minutes added time, Hibs were searching for an equaliser and Jenna Fife pulled off a fantastic block as she reacted well to come off her line and deny Nor Mustafa as she raced through on goal.
Next up for Rangers is the Sky Sports Cup quarter-final at home to Motherwell next Sunday.
RANGERS: Fife, Docherty, Davison, Martinez (Maclean, 88), McLauchlan, Middag, Kerr, Cornet, Hay (Watson, 82), McCoy (Howat, 82), Danielsson (Nolf, 71)
Subs not used: Esson, Cavanagh, Austin, McLeary, Jardine.
Hibernian: Halaand, Parry, Hunter, Eddie, McAlonie, Adams, McGregor, Notely (Mustafa, 75), Murray, Freda (Thomas, 70), Giannou (Livingstone, 60).
Subs not used: Kosinska, Leishman, Morrison, Lawson.
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