McDowall Upbeat Despite Defeat

Pic by Jeff Holmes

Caretaker boss Kenny McDowall has backed Rangers to haul Hibernian back in the Scottish Championship after slipping behind them to third.

A 2-0 win at Ibrox allowed Hibs to leapfrog their hosts into second spot in the table as both sides battle for a place in the top flight next term.

McDowall believes his players can make the most of the three games in hand they have over Hibs - but admits it could now be a tight contest.

He said: There is a long way to go but why not? Before this game, we were sitting above them.

If we give that kind of performance, we won't be far away.The players now know what they have to do. I think it will go the whole distance.''

Goals from Scott Robertson and Lewis Stevenson sealed thepoints on a night where Rangers actually had the better chances.

McDowall added: It's bitterly disappointing, I don't think we deserved that.

But that's football and that's where we are at. We are not getting the luck.

But if we apply ourselves like that, then we won't be far away most weeks.

We made six changes and that in itself is a big deal in terms of getting a team playing well.

A few guys have been patient and waited for their turn and I thought they were all fantastic, especially the guys who have not been in the team of late.

It's good that we are making chances and it's just a matter of time before we get the luck in front of goal. We just need to get back to winning ways.''

The momentum may be with Hibs now but boss Alan Stubbs claims he would happily swap places with Rangers.

He said: I'd still like to be in Kenny's position. I make no bones about that.

We go into second place and we are ahead of them but they have got three games in hand.

Albeit one of them is against Hearts but I'd like to be in that position.''

He added: A determined performance is probably the best way to describe this game.

There is a real determination among our group of players and I think you saw a different side to winning games - players putting their bodies on the line, getting blocks in, being in the right place at the right time.

I didn't actually think we played that well but we showed a desire to not be beaten.''