Thursday 21 May 2015 09:28, UK
Rangers manager Stuart McCall praised his side's determination as they claimed a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Hibernian in their Premiership play-off semi-final first leg at Ibrox.
Hibs enjoyed plenty of first-half possession - and the corner count was 13-1 in their favour - but they could fashion just one shot on target all night as goals from Nicky Clark and Kenny Miller gave the Light Blues a decsisive edge ahead of Saturday's second leg at Easter Road.
McCall said: "I think the scoreline flattered us. You could tell Hibs were the fresher side. Our energy levels dropped late on and full credit to our lads who defended ever so well. When questions have been asked in big games since we came, the lads have stood up. There is a real steely determination there.
"You could tell in the last 25 minutes who had been on the beach for a few days and who had been playing hard football because our energy levels dropped.
"Dean Shiels pulled out of training yesterday and was sent home. I didn't expect him to play tonight. He has come in wanting to play and we've had a couple of others with knocks and bruises. That shows the togetherness in that dressing room.
"It was a tough slog but we got two quality goals. That's two clean sheets against Hibs back-to-back now and we'll need to be ready again on Saturday."
A defiant Hibs boss Alan Stubbs insists all is not lost, but he admitted lax defending had cost his side dear.
He said: "The tie is far from over. We'd like to score first on Saturday and then we'll see. It will be an entertaining game, I'm sure of it.
"I thought we played some decent stuff but we were a little bit rushed in the final third. For the chances we had, we didn't work the 'keeper enough. But overall, I can't fault the way we played.
"The reason were are 2-0 down is because we should have done better at defending those situations. We played our part in the game. We have not come here and sat back and taken a doing.
"To come here and get on the ball, play some of the football we did, that's not a team being intimidated. I hear all the time that Hibs are bottlers. I'm sick of answering the question, to be honest."
