Hibs boss expects tough tie against Rangers or Queens

Hibs were comfortable winners at Falkirk

Alan Stubbs has no preference who his Hibernian side face in the Premiership play-off semi-final after they clinched second place in the Championship.

A 3-0 victory over Falkirk secured the runners-up spot as Rangers, who drew with champions Hearts, had to settle for third place.

The Ibrox side will face Queen of the South in the play-off quarter-final.

"Whoever we get, we know it's going to be a difficult game," Stubbs told BBC Scotland.

"Whether it's Rangers or Queen of the South, we'll be prepared for it.

"I knew from the players in the dressing room beforehand that they were ready for this game [against Falkirk]. A lot's been said before the game and they were ready. I thought the performance was fantastic, they completely controlled the game.

"It's very rare in football you get a complete performance and we weren't far off that today.

Stuart McCall was pleased with Rangers' performance at Tynecastle

"I've got to thank everybody. The club have been fantastic with me, everybody behind the scenes have been fantastic. Secondly, the fans have been amazing; they've really welcomed me to the club - not just me, my staff. Lastly but not least the players, they deserve all the credit."

Queen of the South, who had already clinched fourth place, host Rangers in the quarter-final first leg next Saturday, with the return at Ibrox eight days later.

The semi-final legs will be played on 20 and 23 May and the dates for the final, which will feature the second bottom side in the Premiership, have been set for 28 and 31 May.

"I'm delighted that we've got there," added Stubbs. "We're going to use our time off to the best of our advantage and prepare the players and we'll be ready for 20 May."

Rangers needed to beat Hearts and hope Hibs lost at Falkirk but it never looked on the cards with Stubbs' side 2-0 up at half-time.

Stuart McCall's men also held a two-goal interval advantage at Tynecastle but two late Genero Zeefuik goals ensured Hearts ended an impressive campaign on 91 points - a new record for Scotland's second tier.

"We put in a good, strong away performance today and we'll need to do the same next week," said McCall.

"We don't need to win them all but we certainly have what it takes.

"It's two tough games against Queen of the South, there is no doubt about that. If we get through it's two tough games against Hibs, and we'll take it from there.

"I'm pleased with a lot of stuff. A bit of naivety of decision-making cost us in the end. We played some good football in parts. The second goal [by Kenny Miller] was a tremendous football goal."