RANGERS have moved six points clear of title rivals Hibernian in the Championship standings after a 1-0 win over Alan Stubbs’ side at Ibrox.

The Light Blues made it six wins on the spin under boss Mark Warburton as James Tavernier’s stunning second half free-kick earned them another deserved victory.

After facing Airdrie in the League Cup on Wednesday, Rangers will head to Dumfries next weekend to take on Queen of the South, the only other side with maximum points in the second tier, as they look to give themselves breathing space at the top of the table.

In front of a near 50,000 crowd at Ibrox, Warburton’s side once again sent the home fans home happy as they battled their way to a huge Championship triumph.

After ringing the changes for the midweek cup win over Ayr United, boss Warburton returned a number of established stars to his starting line-up for the third Championship clash of the campaign.

Rob Kiernan returned to the defence to partner Danny Wilson while Andy Halliday and Nicky Law were handed midfield berths.

It was all change in attack as well as Kenny Miller and Martyn Waghorn returned to the Gers’ forward line.

Warburton’s side were roared into action by a capacity Ibrox crowd as they went in search of their sixth successive win but it was Hibs who had the first attempt on goal, Jason Cummings firing a free-kick high over Wes Foderingham’s bar from the edge of the area.

Rangers quickly got down to business as they zipped the ball around and they should have opened the scoring when Waghorn met Barrie McKay’s corner but the striker couldn’t keep his header down.

There were chances for Jason Holt and Lee Wallace from the edge of the area but Hibs started to assert themselves in the game and looked dangerous on the break.

Before the whistle, McKay saw a shot hooked clear by David Gray at the back post before Foderingham had to pull off a smart save to deny Jason Cummings.

The keeper should have been forced into action on the hour mark but Liam Henderson ballooned his shot high over the bar after Cummings had got the better of Danny Wilson.

It was to prove costly for the visitors as Tavernier opened the scoring just seconds later with a stunning free-kick from the left-flank that found the top corner of Mark Oxley’s net.

Miller and Wallace came close to doubling Rangers’ advantage before Nathan Oduwa cut inside and fired a shot just wide of target as Warburton’s side looked to clinch the points.

In the end, the one goal was all Rangers needed as they celebrated another win and saw off Hibs for the second time this term.