Hibernian 0 Rangers 0:RANGERS could only cut Celtic's lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League to seven points yesterday. Champions Celtic have only two matches left to play. But Rangers manager Walter Smith, who on Thursday guided his team to the Uefa Cup final, refused to blame tiredness for the performance yesterday against Hibernian.
"A little bit of spark was missing from our play," he said. "And I don't think it is physical tiredness because we finished the stronger team . . . maybe mentally we have to lift ourselves a little bit."
The dull encounter only flickered into life in the second half when Rangers almost scored on a couple of occasions. Daniel Cousin nodded the ball into the net from a metre out following a header across goal by Spaniard Carlos Cuellar in the 54th minute, but he was ruled offside.
Three minutes later, Barry Ferguson burst into the box on the left and cracked a near-post five-metre shot that Andy McNeil did well to turn away for a corner.
Cuellar, named Scottish Football Writers' Association Player of the Year yesterday, came close in the final minute with a header that sailed narrowly over the top.
Celtic's title hopes remain on course after a late Georgios Samaras header gave them a 2-1 win over Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday. Chris Porter headed the home side into the lead in the 61st minute, but Scott McDonald levelled barely a minute later. With 12 minutes left Samaras bundled home a Barry Robson corner from close range for victory.
HIBERNIAN: McNeil, McCann, Canning, Jones, Murray, Morais (O'Brien 84), Shiels, Chisholm, Rankin, Fletcher, Campbell (Donaldson 75). Subs Not Used: Ma-Kalambay, Kerr, Benjelloun, Zarabi, Stevenson. Booked: Rankin, McCann.
RANGERS: Alexander, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Papac (Boyd 77), Davis, Dailly, Ferguson, Thomson, Novo, Cousin (Darcheville 86). Subs Not Used: Graeme Smith, Shinnie, Lennon, Emslie, Loy. Booked: Cuellar, Dailly, Thomson.
Referee: C Murray (Scotland).
