Hibernian 2-1 Rangers: Alan Stubbs happy at Hibs' 'statement'

The Hibs players celebrate Jason Cummings' strike that put them 1-0 up against RangersSNS

The Hibs players celebrate Jason Cummings' strike that put them 1-0 up against Rangers

Manager Alan Stubbs was delighted that his Hibernian players proved they could beat Championship leaders Rangers.

Jason Cummings and Paul Hanlon were on target in a 2-1 win that cut the gap on Mark Warburton's side to five points.

"I wanted to make a statement that we were in there and that we're going to chase Rangers as much as we can," Stubbs told BBC Radio Scotland.

"They have had an unbelievable start but we are only five points behind and that tells you how good we have been."

The Easter Road boss admitted that for Hibs to have a chance of catching Rangers, who had won all 11 of their previous league games, they could not lose the game.

Cummings' terrific strike gave them an 11th-minute lead in an entertaining match.

Rangers levelled when Lee Wallace's shot deflected past goalkeeper Mark Oxley via Hibs defender Darren McGregor's heel and the visitors came close to scoring a second when Wallace and Nathan Oduwa hit the woodwork.

Interviews - Stubbs & Warburton

But Hibs defended stoutly and stung Rangers when Hanlon powered in a headed from the impressive John McGinn's corner kick.

"There's a long way to go," added Stubbs.

"We knew we were good enough to get a result. It's okay knowing it, you have to do it and today we've done it.

"The fact we've come out on top is fantastic. I'm delighted for the players. They deserve a lot of credit."

BBC match reporter Brian McLauchlin

"Will Hibernian's dramatic win over Rangers halt the Ibrox side in their quest for Championship glory or will it prove to be a catalyst for the Easter Road side who themselves are desperate to get back into the top flight of Scottish football? If Sunday lunchtime's match between the sides is anything to go by then we are in for quite a final two-thirds of the campaign. The teams are fit and they play a style of football that is not only attractive to watch but has the fans on the edge of their seats. The task for Hibs and Rangers now in the coming weeks is to ensure they maintain the standards they have set in their opening 12 league fixtures. And if they do, then fans of the Scottish Championship are in for a real treat between now and the end of the season."

Of Cummings, who has scored 11 times this season, Stubbs said the striker is "improving all the time", but it was the energetic McGinn who attracted most praise.

"He was the best player on the pitch," said Stubbs.

"He's a modern all-round midfield player - his range of passing, his tenacity, his desire to be first on everything. He's a manager's dream and, most importantly, he's a top lad."

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Rangers manager Mark Warburton watched his team lose their 100% winning record in the Championship this season

Rangers manager Mark Warburton praised Cummings' strike but was hurting at the defeat.

"We will play a lot worse than that and get three points this season," he said.

"After [Hibs' goal] I thought we dominated possession and came out after half-time and got the goal. I thought from that one moment on there was one team in it.

"We dominated - hit the bar, hit the post. We had chance after chance but we have to hurt them.

"We didn't get the rub of the green but overall I thought the performance was strong.

"We are angry. It was a tough opponent. It hurts to lose."

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