Danny Rohl insists there should be no William Hill Premiership title race conclusions drawn after Rangers slipped up with a goalless draw at Hibernian.
The Jambos’ 2-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday night had added pressure to the trip to Leith but it was the home side who looked more hungry and industrious for large spells and Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland helped to keep David Gray’s side at bay in the first half with at least two terrific saves.
Rangers substitute Mikey Moore had the ball in the Hibs net in the 76th minute but was ruled offside, with a point no more than the visitors deserved.
The Ibrox side sit six points behind Hearts and were leapfrogged by Celtic on goals scored following the Hoops’ 2-0 home win over Falkirk.
Summing up the title race, the Rangers boss, who took over from Russell Martin in October when the club were 13 points behind Hearts, said: “Yeah, they (Hearts) dropped two points last week (against Celtic).
“How can I describe it? I think there are 14 games to go.
“If you asked me 10 weeks ago, we are on the first of February in this position I would have taken it. We have to be consistent.
“And this is the next job on Wednesday to take the next points.
“I’m totally convinced that this race goes until the end, not until matchday 28. It goes until 38. And we have to be there.
“You always want to win games, but it was exactly the expected tough game today.
“The opponent with physical intensity, I think it was the game they expected. At the end, I take the point today.
“There are some moments for Hibs where they can score. That’s football, we have to carry on. It’s about the next game.”
Hibs went into the game on the back of two successive defeats but boss David Gray was “slightly frustrated and disappointed” after taking only a point.
“I think we certainly had the better opportunities in the game,” said Gray, who revealed Scotland centre-half Grant Hanley may have suffered a hamstring problem.
“I think I am a bit disappointed we’ve not been a bit more clinical.
“It’s very easy to say, goals obviously change games.
“So if one of the chances go in, the game becomes very different.
“So, slightly frustrated and disappointed we’ve not won the game.
“But I think, I’m going to think back to the last two results and looking for that reaction.
“I certainly got that from everyone today. Restricted Rangers, they did very little. Goalkeeper had very little to do.
“Stood up to set-pieces. That was something, Rangers are very strong on set-pieces.
“And we went toe to toe again against a team that’s a good side, that are in a title race for a reason.
“And we need to build on this and take the confidence from that, be more consistent on our level of performance.
“And I think that’s the big message for myself, for the players today. We can build on this now and make sure we become more consistent.”
