Rangers 0-2 Hibernian: Alan Stubbs pleased with 'different' Hibs

Lewis Stevenson volleyed past Lee Robinson to seal victory for Hibs.

Manager Alan Stubbs praised his side's defensive resolve after they defeated Rangers 2-0 at Ibrox to move second in the Scottish Championship.

Goals in either half from Scott Robertson and Lewis Stevenson earned the visitors maximum points against determined opponents.

"It was a different side to us tonight," Stubbs told BBC Scotland.

"We've had some plaudits for our brand of football and the way we've been playing, but the way we've won is just as pleasing for me.

"The players showed a real steeliness. A determination to put their bodies on the line.

"It was a different style for us and you've got no divine right to come to big clubs like Rangers and just because we've been playing well expect them to stand off us.

"The one thing we've got is goals in the team and we stuck in there when we had to."

Hibs were relegated in a play-off last season when they lost to Hamilton, and had initially been off the pace in the race for promotion with Edinburgh rivals Hearts and pre-season favourites Rangers stealing a march on them.

However, Stubbs is convinced things are clicking for his side after they secured their fourth win in six games.

"I'd like us to finish top," he said. "I know that's a really big ask and it's for Hearts to lose now.

"Do I think we can finish second? There's no reason why we can't and I think that's still going to be a big ask. But, if we keep getting results like this, it's going to give us a possibility of achieving that.

"The club's gone through a tough time before I came, obviously everybody knows what happened. It's about what you do about it.

"You can feel sorry for yourself and it's a major thing to suffer a relegation.

"There's a freshness about what we're trying to do on and off the pitch. [Chief executive] Leanne's [Dempster] come in and she's been a breath of fresh air, we're trying to introduce new ideas, and at this moment we're bearing the fruits of that."

Rangers put a lot of effort into the game but saw Hibs leapfrog them into second place.

Rangers caretaker-manager Kenny McDowall saw his side battle hard but they could not finish off any of their plentiful chances in front of goal.

"We didn't deserve that tonight, it just seems to be the way things are going at the minute," he said after the team's third consecutive loss.

"But, if we continue to work like that then things will change and we'll start to pick up points again.

"I thought they showed great passion. They've been knocked for not giving enough effort. To a man, I thought they were fantastic.

"If the players weren't giving effort and getting beat 2-0 that's a different ball game. Tonight they gave everything, they left everything on that pitch, and for that I've got to cut them a bit of slack.

"In front of goal at the minute we just can't seem to get anything over the line. Once that happens I'm sure the confidence will grow from there and hopefully we can go on and get three points."