IT was the game that was barely mentioned at the start of the season, the occasion few dared to dream Rangers would get the chance to savour.

Now it is the 90 minutes that has been the main topic of discussion for weeks and will either be a fitting finale to a memorable campaign or an afternoon to forget at Hampden.

When Mark Warburton walked up the Marble Staircase having been appointed as manager of Rangers last June, he knew exactly what he had to achieve by the end of the term.

With the Championship trophy already housed in the Ibrox Trophy Room, and the Petrofac Training Cup finally placed there after four years of waiting, Rangers are preparing for the game few thought they would be competing in.

On Saturday, Warburton will scale the steps of Hampden. If he is presented with a winner’s medal and holds aloft the silverware, a good season will have become a great one.

It would complete a unique Treble for Rangers and secure a special place in Ibrox folklore for the manager and his players, as well as ensuring a return to the European arena.

The Journey has been completed, but Warburton’s side have a chance to cap it all off in fine style at the National Stadium.

“It has to be said it’s a bonus,” Warburton said. “The main focus was always the title. All credit to the boys.

“We entered and wanted to win the Petrofac and in the Scottish we wanted to go as far as we can.

“I was delighted with the semi-final win and now we’re looking forward to Saturday.

“From where Rangers have been, the prize is now European football if we beat a very good opponent.

“And it’s also for the Rangers fans with the history and experiences of European football. “They will be desperate to get those nights back against at Ibrox and if we can beat Hibs and give them that – fantastic.

“It was only – win the league. As simple as that. I’ve said that many times.

“The target was clear – beating Celtic and winning the Petrofac are enjoyable bonuses.”

It was against Hibernian back in July where Warburton’s own journey began as he took charge of Rangers for the first time and he will now bring the curtain down on his maiden campaign against the same opponents.

Since that 6-2 win at Easter Road in the Petrofac Training Cup, the four league meetings have seen the points shared as both sides have won twice on home soil.

The showdown on Saturday could prove to be the last meeting between them for some time, but it is also the most significant battle either has fought for many years.

There is no doubting the sense of occasion, but there is nothing to surprise Warburton as he prepares to line up against Spurs for the sixth time this term.

He said: “It gets repetitive – being very polite – it gets repetitive. The teams know each other very well.

“The papers talk about the edge and finding tactics and everything else…go out and do what you do well. That’s what we have to do.

“We have to go out and do what we do well. People know how we’re going to play, we’re not going to change our style of play.

We’re going to look to dominate the football and look to move the ball and look to create chances. Hibs know that.

“We know they will be very well organised, dangerous at set-pieces, with very effective individual players. They are a very talented team.”

While Rangers head into the final with two medals to their credit and high in confidence, their opponents have the weight of history on their shoulders and could still be suffering the effects of a play-off disappointment.

Defeat to Falkirk last Friday condemned Alan Stubbs’ side to another campaign outside of Scotland’s top flight, while Hibs’ Hampden hoodoo remains at forefront of minds in Leith.

The last minute Bairns winner from Bob McHugh was another tough blow for Stubbs and his players to take, but Rangers must expect a reaction from a side that have given them some of their sternest tests this season.

If Rangers could strike early, the pressure would mount even more on their former Championship title rivals. Warburton won’t take anything for granted, though.

He said: “It’s a Cup final they have half the stadium packed with their fans and they have a responsibility to their fans just as we have.

“I can’t imagine players will be downcast coming into a final at a packed national stadium.

“They might be disappointed to lose the play-offs in a tough manner but I’m sure Alan and his staff have made them forget that and made them focus on a big day at Hampden.

“No [the first goal is not more important than usual]. Any goal is significant.

“Goals change games, of course they do. I think the most common score in football over 50,000 games is 1-0.

“Any goal is important, the first goal is important, but [on Wednesday] night Liverpool scored the first goal and then lost 3-1. There is no great relevance.”