Rangers start big week well against regret-ridden Hibs - but much more needed against Hearts

Meetings against both halves of the capital bookend it. Part one resulted in a narrow 1-0 win over Hibs at Ibrox that moves them nine points behind Premiership leaders Hearts with a game in hand.

They could be sitting six points adrift of the Jam Tarts should they prevail at Tynecastle on Sunday - a remarkable enough thought given how poorly the Govan side started the season.

This victory was ugly and unconvincing but Rangers head coach Danny Rohl won't care a jot as he sets about reviving this fallen giant. Under the German boss' watch in the league, they have won six games and drawn two.

They are up to third in the table and put five points between them and Hibs, who remain fifth and would have headed back along the M8 lamenting their inability to cause Rangers serious issues despite seeing plenty of the ball.

This was a scrappy game low on quality. Sky Sports and Premier Sports had shunned the match for live coverage but it turned out to be an inspired decision. Those at home did not miss much in the way of entertainment.

Barron v Mulligan in the middle

There was a mildly intriguing midfield battle between two former Scotland Under-21 teammates in Rangers' Connor Barron and Hibs' Josh Mulligan. The duo will have designs on forcing their way into Steve Clarke's senior squad for next summer's World Cup. Barron just about edged it, one of the better players on the pitch. Mention must also go to 18-year-old Spurs loanee Mikey Moore, one of the few prepared to dribble at pace.

Apart from the grinding nature of the win, what may please Rohl the most was a first start since April for defender Dujon Sterling. This was his first start since rupturing his Achilles back in April and he made an impact at both ends of the pitch. His inclusion was one of five alterations by Rohl.

The visitors sprang a surprise of their own in the starting XI. Elie Youan has only started two matches since last Boxing Day but the 26-year-old, who has been besieged by niggling injuries and transfer rumours over the past 12 months, was preferred to Martin Boyle in attack and led the line alongside Kieron Bowie.

Hibs started the game with more composure than the hosts but the opening stages lacked any sort of authority. The visitors moved the ball across the pitch with more purpose but were falling short in the final third. Most of their good work was going towards Youan but he was unable to show a clinical finish.

On two minutes, the Frenchman sent a shot from inside the box high and wide with the outside of left foot, and then on 19 minutes he was released by a cute chipped through ball from Jamie McGrath, only to fresh-air his effort and Rangers cleared.

Little was sticking for Rangers at the other end of the pitch. The home fans were becoming restless but Hibs showed little evidence that they were able to seize upon the jitters inside Ibrox.

The visitors were nearly given assistance from Rangers keeper Jack Butland on 29 minutes. McGrath delivered a deep corner kick to the back-post that he completely misjudged. Warren O'Hora managed to get his head to the ball, but his effort lacked pace and Sterling was able to hook the effort off his own goalline.

That close shave woke Rangers up. Five minutes later they broke the deadlock - and Sterling was at the heart of it. The 26-year-old delivered a vicious curling cross into the danger area and Emmanuel Fernandez stole in unmarked to guide a header high past Hibs keeper Raphael Sallinger.

The goal sparked a period of pressure from Rangers. Grant Hanley and Jack Iredale blocked powerful efforts from Moore that were going towards goal. They took some confidence from the opener.

Offside flag stops a penalty

Even still, there were some Rangers hearts in mouth on 42 minutes when a goalbound effort from Bowie, a thorn in their defence's side throughout the first half with his physicality, struck the outstretched arms of Sterling. It looked like a clear penalty but salvation came in the form of an offside flag. VAR checked the whole affair and deemed Bowie to have strayed beyond the backline. It was a tight call.

Hibs had the first chance of the second half - via a Rangers player. Chris Cadden fizzed in a cross that Fernandez skewed over his bar. From the corner, Youan worked himself into a pocket of space but his shot was straight at Butland for a straightforward hold.

Rangers had half-hearted appeals for a penalty on 65 minutes when Nasser Djiga fell to the floor but referee Don Robertson was unmoved - although there was no caution for simulation.

Hibs brought on Boyle and Thibault Klidje on 69 minutes in a bid to spark into life their attack. It made little difference. Rangers had the ball in the net again through their own substitute Djeidi Gassama on 79 minutes but it was ruled out for offside.

The final stages were the best part of the game as Hibs threw everyone forward. Rangers missed three good chances as Sallinger saved twice from Gassama and Chermiti. However, a second goal wasn't required.

Hibs' best moment - if you can call it that - was on 87 minutes when Klidje's shot on the turn from close range was blocked by Djiga, who played well before heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations. He will be missed at Tynecastle, where Rangers will probably need to play a damn sight better to defeat the other side of Edinburgh.