Aussies abroad: Maclaren nets winner against Rangers in Scotland

Caltex Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren came off the bench to fire Hibernian to a thrilling 2-1 win over Rangers in the Scottish Premiership overnight.

Maclaren, on loan from German club SV Darmstadt, netted the decisive goal from the penalty spot with 15 minutes remaining to hand Hibs their second-straight victory.

The strike was Maclaren’s first for his new club after joining in January.

Earlier, the 24-year-old was introduced in just the sixth minute after Manchester City loanee Brandon Barker was forced off with injury.

And the Aussie was almost immediately in the action just five minutes later, firing home a cross from Florian Kamberi only to be denied by the offside flag.

Hibernian took the lead just before the break with John McGinn rifling a long-range strike which nestled into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

Rangers fought their way back into the contest and grabbed an equaliser courtesy of Sean Goss’ thumping free-kick with just under 20 minutes to play.

But a clumsy foul from Rangers defender James Tavernier on Scott Allan inside the box just two minutes later gifted Hibernian the chance to restore their advantage.

And it was Maclaren who took the responsibility from the spot, smashing a powerful effort past Wesley Foderingham.

The win leaves Hibernian in fourth spot in the Scottish Premiership, two points behind Rangers.