Hibernian continue Rangers rivalry in Scottish Challenge Cup clash
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Having met seven times during the 2014/15 campaign, Championship sides Hibernian and Rangers will continue their heated rivalry as they clash again in the Scottish Challenge Cup first round.
At Easter Road, the two Scottish second tier clubs will collide hoping to set the tone for the new season, as Rangers look to secure promotion back to the Premiership, having haplessly missed out on that feat last term.
In their latest encounter with Hibs, Mark Warburton’s men are 7/4 with Coral to triumph, while Hibs are 6/4 favourites to pick up a victory on home soil.
Warburton took charge of Gers earlier this summer, taking over from Stuart McCall as the Glasgow club’s boss, and he has already made seven signings in a bid to overhaul his inherited squad.
The latest recruit, Jason Holt, believes that an early win over Hibernian on their home patch could be a great way to set the tone for the upcoming Scottish Championship campaign.
“If we can do that [win], that would be great and it sets us up nicely,” stated the 22-year-old.
Despite a lack of pre-season action under their belts, Holt claims that Rangers are still in good shape heading into the match-up with Hibs.
“We want to go there on Saturday and win the game and try to set the tone,” continued Holt regarding Saturday’s meeting in Edinburgh.
“The boys have had three games, but also the intensity of training has been great as well. The boys are raring to go.
“We’ve got a really good squad here, but I think hard work, togetherness and a real team morale [are required] and so far, since I’ve been in, I’ve seen all of them.”
Former Hearts star Holt is 10/3 to get on the scoresheet anytime, while the Glasgow club’s main threat could be Martyn Waghorn, who is 6/1 to open proceedings this time out on the road.
For the hosts, frontman Jason Cummings will be raring to go and is 6/1 to slot home Hibernian’s last goal of the game.
Rangers were massive favourites secure promotion last season, but faltered heavily to eventually finish in third place, but a win over Hibs could get Warburton’s men off to the mark for a possibly successful domestic campaign.
