Rangers have the chance to close the gap on league leaders Celtic this weekend as they look to take advantage of their rivals’ involvement in the League Cup.
Rangers have struggled for form in recent weeks while their Old Firm rivals have run up 12 league wins in a row.
Last weekend’s slip up against Aberdeen means Ally McCoist’s sides now trail Celtic by four points at the top of the Scottish Premier League despite having held a 15 point lead in November.
However, the Gers could close the gap on Saturday to one point when they take on Hibernian at Ibrox while Celtic have a weekend off from league duty as they face Falkirk in their League Cup semi-final on Sunday.
The fact the match is at Ibrox will be of little comfort to the Rangers faithful who have seen their side draw four of their 12 league games at the stadium this season.
And on-loan Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley knows he and his teammates have to improve their home form quickly if they are to secure a fourth league title in a row.
“Our home record hasn’t been as good as what we would have expected it to be and teams have come to Ibrox and defended well,” Bartley said.
“We’ve found it hard to break them down but we have to do that and start keeping clean sheets again as well.
“A draw at Ibrox isn’t good enough against any team and every time we go out we want to win, especially in front of our own fans.
“We have to return to the consistency we had at the start of the season and if we can do that I’m sure we’ll stay in the hunt.”
Rangers will be without Steven Whittaker, Steven Naismith and Kyle Lafferty through injury although new signing Mervan Celik could feature for the first time since his move from Swedish side GAIS.
Hibernian could have new loan signings James McPake and Stoke midfielder Tom Soares available to make their debuts at Ibrox. Striker Leigh Griffiths will be unavailable as he starts the first of his two game ban for his gesture to fans at last weekend’s game.
Elsewhere on Saturday, third place Motherwell will look to open up a gap over Hearts when they take on St Johnstone at Fir Park.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle have the chance to leapfrog visitors St Mirren when they host the Paisley side on Saturday.
Bottom club Dunfermline could escape the relegation place with a win away to Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
It’s an all Ayrshire derby at Hampden as Kilmarnock and Ayr United take on each other in Saturday’s League Cup semi-final.
Fixtures (1500 unless otherwise stated)
Saturday
Aberdeen v Dunfermline, Inverness CT v St Mirren, Motherwell v St Johnstone, Rangers v Hibernian
