Hibernian FC vs Glasgow Rangers preview - Hibs hopeful of double boost

Posted Saturday, March 21, 2015 by PA

Hibernian hope to have strikers Jason Cummings and Dominique Malonga fit for the Scottish Championship clash with Rangers.

The pair returned to training after knocks and should make Sunday's Easter Road clash.

Second-choice goalkeeper Tomas Cerny is out with mumps, the same illness that sidelined Sam Stanton recently.

Head coach Alan Stubbs, whose side are looking for an eighth successive win to move nine points clear in second, said: "The form and desire of the team is very good.

"We are in a good position and we have an opportunity to make that even stronger on Sunday, but we know we have to have that determination to stay there come the end of the season."

Rangers manager Stuart McCall has told his players they need to prove their promotion credentials.

Rangers are looking to cut a six-point deficit on Hibs in the top three as the chasing pack behind Hearts fight for play-off places.

But they need to reverse not only recent form but their league record against Hibs.

Stubbs' men have won seven matches in a row while Rangers have only won one out of their last nine games, while Hibs are 9-1 ahead on goals aggregate in the league games between the sides having won all three so far.

And McCall knows Rangers have to send out a message in Leith to give themselves belief ahead of the play-offs.

"I think that's a good point and exactly what we will be saying to the players," he said.

"We know in the three games this season Hibs have had a massive advantage.

"And, if we are going to succeed in our aim, which is to get promotion, then there's no doubt we will be meeting Hibs in a two-legger at some stage.

"So we have got to go and produce a performance that gets a result."

McCall toyed with the idea of showing his players where they went wrong against Hibs but decided not to risk damaging their fragile confidence any further.

"I watched both of the games back the other day but there's nothing I can really relate to," he said.

"Everyone knows at Easter Road we never turned up and Hibs were very good. The game here they played a different shape and there are little things I can take.

"But I don't want to be dooming and glooming them, we want to be positive about it. I certainly won't be showing them anything there."