Wednesday 23 December 2015 13:56, UK
Rangers boss Mark Warburton will face the biggest test of his time in charge when Hibs come calling at Ibrox next Monday, according to former Gers manager Alex McLeish.
Warburton saw his side take maximum points from their opening 11 games, only for Hibs to end their winning run with a 2-1 victory at Easter Road in November.
Rangers' stuttering run since means only goal difference now separates the sides.
Falkirk believe they will have a major say in the destination of the title after last week's 2-1 home victory over the former League One champions, but McLeish is convinced Rangers will bounce back and secure promotion to the top flight at the end of the season.
Speaking to Sky Sports Now, the former Scotland defender, who won a treble during his five years in charge at Ibrox in the early 2000s, said: "I fancy Rangers to bounce back and win this game against Hibernian.
"It is a huge game for Mark Warburton who is now finding out how the Old Firm works and what the expectation levels are at Rangers. It's a key game for him and Davie Weir and they must bounce back from the setbacks that have allowed Hibs to catch them.
"There is big pressure on them but normally this is where you see the top guys coming to the fore. When they can win these games then you know they will be real title favourites.
"I wouldn't be surprised if it was a draw given the confidence Hibs have at the moment. Their players will be going in there after feeling really strong after their last couple of results, but Rangers have their backs to the wall and that is when we will see the real Rangers."
But Neil McCann, who played under McLeish at Ibrox, has warned the big-match experience gained by Hibernian boss Alan Stubbs during his time at Celtic could be key when the sides meet next week.
Stubbs, who won two SPL titles and and two League Cups during a five-year period at Celtic Park, admits he is enjoying the mind games with Warburton ahead of the biggest game of the Scottish Championship season.
Speaking alongside McLeish on Sky Sports Now, McCann said: "I remember at the start of the season saying Hibs would be serious contenders and they have put the heat on Rangers since their win at Easter Road.
"And to get it back to level now I just feel Alan Stubbs has used a little of his experience in the Old Firm environment just to increase the pressure on Mark Warburton. I know Mark is a cool, calm customer but he has reacted a couple of times and got involved.
"The team now have to step up and understand what it means and the pressure that comes with playing for Rangers, The weight of the jersey and the expectation of the fans. But it is quite incredible that Hibs have clawed that deficit back and now this game is absolutely massive.
"I think the remaining games between the sides will determine how the championship will be won. I fancy Hibs to go to Ibrox and put on a show. They have a lot of confidence at the minute, there is a belief among their squad, they are young, vibrant and brave on the ball and Ibrox will hold no fears for them.
"Again, like Celtic, if you suffer a defeat you want a reaction and the expectation from Old Firm fans is massive. Ibrox will be crammed and I think this one may be a draw as I just think there is not a lot between the sides. But if someone can get the upper hand within these games it will go a long way to deciding the title."
And, no matter the outcome on Monday, McCann is convinced Warburton will again need to draw on his contacts in England to bolster his faltering side in the January transfer market.
The former Brentford boss lured Martyn Waghorn, James Tavernier, Rob Kiernan, Wes Foderingham and Andy Halliday to Ibrox in the summer along with loan signings Nathan Oduwa, Dominic Ball and Gedion Zelalem.
"Rangers need to strengthen and I think they will do," he said. "Warburton knows the scene down south and I think it will be loan deals rather than permanent ones. I think they need a striker and another really solid holding player brought in."
