bringthemonjpn: "#bbcscotfootball Cammy Bell on top form today. You wonder how things would have been if he hadn't had that lengthy time out through injury."

Graham Allen: "Rangers defending a lead is 90 minutes of mental turmoil. #bbcscotfootball"

Only the right hand of Mark Oxley prevents Rangers from breaking the deadlock. Haris Vuckic cuts in after easing Liam Craig off the ball and his shot is brilliantly tipped away by the Hibs keeper.

The visitors can't profit from the corner as the hosts repel the danger.

Hibernian's early assurance and swagger has drained from their cheeks and they're looking far from convincing at the back.

However, they press forward and Scott Allan plays in Dominique Malonga but Cammy Bell could've run up the tunnel and back in time to collect his feeble effort.

Groans of frustration from the Hibs fans; they've been toothless in attack.

Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell comes to claim the ball as Dominique Malonga threatens following good work by Fraser Fyvie.

Hibs continue to huff and puff without showing real menace in front of goal.

Image source, SNS

It remains goalless just after the half-hour mark.

Rangers boss Stuart McCall, crimson-cheeked under the blazing Easter Road sun, is far from happy over a throw-in awarded to Hibs and bellows his frustration at whistler John Beaton.

BBC Sportsound pundit Murdo MacLeod

"Rangers aren't much better but they're now seeing much more of the ball and appear more comfortable in possession."

What a chance! Richard Foster dances down the right and whips over a cross with Hibs appealing unsuccessfully for a foul on Lewis Stevenson. Kenny Miller soars through the air but his bullet header falls the wrong side of the post with Mark Oxley stranded.

It's Rangers' turn to rumble forward and the visitors do well to nab possession from Scott Allan. The ball finds its way to veteran marksman Kenny Miller, whose shot from the edge of the area is saved comfortably by Mark Oxley.

Jason Cummings spurns a superb chance to break the deadlock. Darting away from the Rangers defence as he collects Scott Allan's through ball but he screws his shot wide of goal.

The camera pans to a frustrated Hibs boss Alan Stubbs, who will be concerned his side have failed to capitalise on such a bright start.

Ian, Blantyre: "I would be watching the game if I wasn't stuck in a traffic jam between Blantyre and Bellshill.....some Eejit decided to shut the slip road to the M74... so... Stuck with wee tams verbal ping pong..!!! "

Stuart, truck driver, Rangers fan: "Working over in Italy. Keep me updated gentlemen! Mon the Gers! Get us back to where we belong"

Mike Minto: "Rangers on dialysis"

Lewis, Edinburgh: "Kenny Miller and Nicky law are getting harder and harder to tell apart from a distance."

Despite enjoying near constant pressure, Hibs have yet to break Rangers' resistance.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Yet more Hibs pressure. Fraser Fyvie's horribly miscues a shot and it falls for Jason Cummings... But his shot, hit with the power of a wheezing Dickensian pick-pocket, trickles through to Rangers keeper Cammy Bell.

Hibs are throwing everything, including the proverbial sink at Rangers, but have yet to break the deadlock and eat into Rangers' two-goal first leg lead.

Image source, SNS

Cammy Bell is called into action again, throwing himself in the air like a concerned Superman at two Hibs crosses as the hosts come within a whisker of breaking the deadlock.

Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell is called into action for the first time, collecting a fizzing Fraser Fyvie drive from about 25 yards.

A heartbeat later and Cummings outfoxes Zaliukas before testing Bell with another drive. The hosts are cranking up the pressure here...

The hosts are rampaging down the left as they seek an early goal with Lewis Stevenson seeing a lot of the ball as Hibs probe for a weakness on Rangers' right hand side.

Emboldened by their early attacking endeavour, Hibs force a corner but Liam Fontaine heads over from Scott Allan's dangerous set piece.

"A good start from Hibs," says BBC Sportsound pundit Murdo MacLeod

Hang on. Hibs roar for a penalty as the ball appears to hit Dean Shiels's arm inside the box but referee John Beaton is having none of it. A chorus of boos rains down from the stands housing the home fans.

The atmosphere is crackling away nicely.

Nothing of note to bother either goalkeeper in the frenetic opening minutes as the ball is fired high into the clear blue sky above Easter Road.

tom and 20 others: "Well this promises to be.. er.. character building. #bbcscotfootball"