IT was perhaps fitting that a remarkable, rollercoaster campaign for Rangers should end in such extraordinary fashion. From Luxembourg to Leith, it has been anything but dull.

A season that started with an embarrassing exit from the Europa League concluded with a return to that competition secured. As with most things involving the Light Blues, it wasn’t straightforward, though.

Having seemingly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, Rangers saw three points turn into one in the final seconds as ten goals were shared. Finally, the campaign can be consigned to the history books.

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There have been few high points this term as two managers – Pedro Caixinha and Graeme Murty – have been sacked, Old Firm defeats have been suffered and silverware has once again eluded Rangers.

Second place was in their sights before kick-off but it was fourth they were staring at as, with 22 minutes on the clock and the scoreboard reading 3-0. At that stage, Rangers were rocking and Hibs were halfway to the six goal swing they needed to move above their visitors in the Premiership.

In the end, neither side got what they wanted. The points were shared, while Aberdeen’s win over Celtic at Parkhead ensured Rangers would finish third.

Supporters won’t look back at events of recent months with any great fondness but the final 90 minutes of the Premiership term will live long in the memory for a variety of reasons.

For many of those that interim boss Jimmy Nicholl selected, there won’t be another outing in Light Blue and by the time Rangers return to action in July it will be Steven Gerrard that will be calling the shots at Ibrox.

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When he sits down and puts in the DVD of this one, there will be plenty for him to analyse and assess. The defending was abysmal, the attacking clinical, at times, and it made for an enthralling, entertaining watch.

It took Hibs just ten minutes to break the deadlock but few inside Easter Road would have had an inclination of what was to follow in a frantic, frenetic encounter.

Florian Kamberi has proven to be an astute bit of business by Neil Lennon and the striker added another to his tally from the spot. David Bates was bemused by the decision to award a penalty after a coming together with Jamie Maclaren but Kamberi made no mistake as he found the top corner with a confident effort.

It was exactly the start that Rangers didn’t need and it got a whole lot worse before it got any better as Hibs piled forward and piled on the misery. Scott Allan made it 2-0 as he met a header from Vykintas Slivka and converted from close range and the hosts could sense the weakness in this Light Blues line-up.

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Within minutes, it was 3-0 and the travelling support, half of his usual size after their allocation was cut, were left fearing the worst. Lewis Stevenson swung in a teasing cross from the left and Maclaren got the final touch this time as he headed the ball beyond Alnwick and into the corner.

Hibernian were flying and Easter Road was dreaming but it was a nightmare scenario for Nicholl as his side threatened to capitulate completely. Rangers were shell-shocked.

When respite finally came, they made the most of it. Rangers had posed no threat of their own in the opening stages but a fine move got them off and running.

James Tavernier burst forward through the middle of the park before slipping the ball into Jason Holt. When he got it back, he swept a low shot beyond keeper Ofir Marciano to belatedly give the Gers crowd something to cheer.

Read more: Jimmy Nicholl has mixed emotions after Rangers end campaign with draw against Hibs

The second would have been greeted with a sigh of relief. Marciano was again left with no chance as the ball ended up in the corner of his net, Jordan Rossiter’s strike well-placed as he marked his return to the side with his first goal for the Light Blues.

That was that in terms of Hibs’ chances of finishing third. When the next goal arrived, it was a boost to Rangers’ hopes of securing second.

It came from an unlikely source but there was no doubting the quality of the strike as Bruno Alves curled a terrific free-kick into the net from 25 yards. It hasn’t been a vintage campaign for the Portuguese, but it was a moment that showed what he can be capable of.

The recovery was complete, and now the win was in Rangers’ sights. Somehow, they could sense victory.

Nicholl’s side had to weather the storm a bit at the start of the second half, but it was the Gers that struck next. Tavernier started the move as he won a tackle with Allan and set Cummings clear. The ball was played to Murphy and then out to Holt and the midfielder’s touch was the decisive one.

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Even when it looked done, it was far from it. Josh Windass thought he had won it when he diverted a Holt strike into the net but Maclaren had other ideas as he netted his second with a neat finish from inside the area.

When Holt was sent off for picking up a second yellow card, the stage was set for a grandstand finish at Easter Road.

It was Hibs that had the bit between their teeth once again and Alnwick had to make a smart stop to deny Dylan McGeough before five minutes of injury time were shown.

The Gers fans were silenced when Maclaren got his hat-trick with just seconds to spare, before boss Lennon ran onto the park to celebrate, much to the delight of an Easter Road crowed that had given him their backing at the end of a tumultuous week. The draw felt like a win for Hibernian but a defeat for Rangers.

The Light Blues said their farewells to supporters as shirts were handed over and thanks were exchanged. The game and season was over, and so are a few Ibrox careers.