Rangers lost their fourth game in a row with a 2-1 defeat to Hibernian in an encounter, which saw James Tavernier withdraw from the squad, ahead of kick-off in what should have been his farewell to the Ibrox faithful.
It was believed that the Rangers captain would not be in attendance at the stadium, after being told by head coach Danny Röhl that he was not in the starting line-up.
However, an emotional Tavernier did appear before kick-off to receive a presentation from club legend John Greig to mark his 11 years of service before he leaves this summer.
It was the major talking point of a night which weeks ago had promised so much for Röhl's side, but paled into insignificance compared to events elsewhere after three post-split defeats in a row ended Rangers' title challenge.
An already depleted Ibrox was silenced further early on when Martin Boyle gave Hibernian an early lead, only for Thelo Aasgaard to net a deserved equaliser, just before half-time.
However, Dane Scarlett bundled the ball over the line late on to give the visitors all three points.
The home side started with a bit of purpose, with Youssef Chermiti seeing his header pushed wide by Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger.
Despite that, it was the visitors who took the lead when Jordan Obita's cross found Boyle in space and he slammed his volley under Jack Butland from 10 yards.
Rangers looked to respond instantly. However, Thelo Aasgaard was denied by another good stop from Sallinger before Dujon Sterling fired over the bar.
Chermiti was next to be frustrated by the Hibernian shot stopper, who blocked the striker's effort with his feet when he was bearing down on goal.
Sallinger was keeping Rangers at bay all by himself at times and he pulled off another fine save to deny a Connor Barron effort from 25 yards that seemed destined for the top corner.
Aasgaard then curled an effort wide from just inside the box before Sallinger held a Mikey Moore effort.
It seemed as though Rangers would need to produce something special to get back on level terms and Aasgaard duly obliged just before half-time. The Norwegian whipped a powerful free-kick into the top corner from the edge of the box leaving Sallinger with no chance.
Rangers continued to press for another goal after the break with Barron and Chermiti firing wide. Bojan Miovski should have found the net when he pounced on a loose ball in the box but could only send his effort over the bar.
It was Hibernian who finished the stronger, however, with Butland called on to make a double save from Scarlett and Felix Passlack after Ante Suto had previously fired into the side netting.
David Gray's side did find a winner in the last minute of normal time - when Passlack broke free on the right hand side before firing a cross into the six-yard box, where Tottenham loanee Scarlett was on hand to bundle the ball into the net as boos rang around Ibrox.
Instead of Rangers supporters paying tribute to Tavernier at the end of the game, it was Röhl who spoke with fans to try and explain yet another loss and his vision for going forward.
Rangers travel to Falkirk on the last day looking to avoid a fifth successive defeat. While Hibs know victory over Motherwell at Easter Road, will secure a fourth place finish in what promises to be a tasty encounter in Leith.
Rangers boss Danny Rohl on Your Site:
"We worked hard to come to a good point and the last four match days have not been good enough, it's not what we want. Today was exactly the mirror from the last three weeks that showed me and us that we need a strong cut. We have to set new standards on and off the pitch and this is what we will do and we will prepare as a club because we cannot accept this in the future anymore to have this end of the season.
On speaking to the fans at the end of the game:
"For me it is important to lead my group. I think I stand in front, I make the decisions, I respect all the supporters and the reaction and there is no question mark. Everyone is not happy at the moment and there are reasons for that. I will listen to them and I told them we will make strong changes in the future.
"That is the reason why I am here, we want to be ambitious and we want to win something but for this we have to increase our standards, new standards and this is our job."
On James Tavernier withdrawing from the squad:
"I spoke with him because for me it is important that he gets a great goodbye, he deserved it after 11 years but I also have to make the decisions on the pitch. I am the manager.
"We spoke openly, this is how I lead my group with a good communication. I was really surprised that he stayed away today. I planned that he would get some minutes, not as a starter, but he deserved to be on the pitch at the end of the game and in the end he made his own decision
"I will not respect this in this way, it is important that we have respect for each other and he makes his final decision and it is important that for me - I am the manager and I have to make my decisions on the pitch.
"Let's see what the next hours bring. Everyone is welcome and everyone should be proud to wear the shirt and I think this is what I demand one more time on Saturday from my group."
Hibernian boss David Gray on Your Site:
"It's a real difficult place to come, we rode our luck at times, we relied on our goalkeeper a lot of the time but the players have found a way to win the game.
"Results have gone our way as well which sets it up for a cracker at the weekend. It is everything you need at this stage of the season, it is all about the result. That is back-to-back wins and tonight was really good in terms of what we needed to do.
"It is all to play for now. A couple of big games this weekend. All we can do is what we have done tonight which was take care of our job, we got the three points. Results have gone for us which means we have an opportunity, at home, if we win the game we finish fourth and that is all we can ask for.
"Well done to the players, delighted for them for finding a way to win the game. We will probably need to be better because we are going up against a really good side but we will certainly take confidence from two really difficult places to go and two wins."
