JASON CUMMINGS will return to where it all started when he strides out at Easter Road to face Hibernian. It could be the beginning of the end for him at Rangers, though.

The striker is no stranger to these fixtures – he scored eight times in 11 matches against the Gers – but he will find himself on the other side of the rivalry tomorrow afternoon.

Cummings will always be grateful for the start and the platform that Hibs gave him in the game but there will be no old pals act when he returns to Leith. In what could be his final outing for the Light Blues, there is only one set of supporters he is aiming to please.

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“I am not too sure [what kind of reception I’ll get],” Cummings said.

“I know they don’t like Rangers so I am not expecting to get cheered. I am not expecting to get cheered but I think they know I did my best and gave everything for the club.

“They did give me my chance when I was a boy, I didn’t think I was going to be a footballer but they gave me my chance.

“I feel that we have got a mutual respect there but I have got a job to do and that is to get a win and get Rangers second place.”

Rangers fans will occupy just a fraction of Easter Road after Hibernian opted to cut the ticket allocation for the travelling support ahead of what they hoped would be a final day shoot-out for second spot in the Premiership.

But defeat in the Edinburgh derby has ended those ambitions and Neil Lennon’s side need to win by six goals to overtake the Gers and finish third this term.

Cummings will lead the Light Blues attacking line in Leith but hasn’t decided yet if the home crowd will see his smiling, Joker-style celebratory tattoo.

He said: “I think I’d let them take the first step! I’ll see what reception I get. If my name comes over the tannoy and they are all booing then…

“I might. But there is a kind of mutual respect there. I’ll see what they’re saying.

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“I’ve scored a lot of goals at Easter Road, so I kind of feel comfortable going back there – if that makes sense. I’m actually really looking forward to it. I can’t wait.”

At the start of the week, the final 90 minutes of the campaign looked like being a three-way battle for the best of the rest tag and a European place.

But Rangers’ draw with Aberdeen on Tuesday, coupled with the derby defeat for Lennon’s side the following night, has all-but consigned Hibs to fourth place.

That may not be enough to satisfy their manager, but it has been a more than decent and respectable effort on their return to the top flight this term.

“I wouldn’t say they have surprised me because I know what they are capable of,” Cummings said. “They have a great squad.

“Even if you look at the players who are on the bench and can’t get a game, there are some top players there.

“They have played unreal football this season as well. They have been one of the best teams in the league and we know it is going to be a hard game for us on Sunday.

“I think the other result obviously helped us and they don’t really have much to play for now. That might be a positive, but we know they are dangerous.”

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Finishing second this season shouldn’t be seen as a major achievement at Ibrox and, in the grand scheme of things, it matters little to the Light Blues.

Come the final whistle at Easter Road, another rollercoaster campaign can be consigned to history and all attentions will be firmly fixed on the future under incoming boss Steven Gerrard.

Cummings’ place in those plans is still uncertain as he prepares to make his 18th appearance since moving from Nottingham Forest during the January window.

He said: “I feel this is just the beginning for me. I can see the club going forward and I want to be a part of it.

“It has been frustrating for me, it’s been hard. I don’t think I was (Graeme) Murty’s number one striker as he was playing Alfredo (Morelos) a lot.

“It was hard coming off the bench. When I was getting a start it wasn’t consistent. But I feel it’s just the start.

“I spoke to him a few times but at the end of the day it is not me that picks the team, it is up to him.

“He liked playing with one up front and he liked someone up there that had a bit more bulk and size. He only played one up so it was hard for me but every moment that I played I loved it.”

Cummings arrived at Ibrox determined to make an impact for Murty’s side but has managed just six goals in the second half of the campaign.

The 22-year-old has been made to feel at home by the Light Blue legions, though, and he is eager to repay the supporters for their backing.

Cummings said: “I have not played as much but I have loved it and the fans have been unreal.

“Every game is a massive game and even the away games the fans come and get you up for the match. It is a big club that I want to be part of.

“They have been great with me. Since day one, they have been unreal and signing my name and cheering. I feel like I want to do well for them and that is why I want to stay.

“I feel like I owe them and want to do well for them because they cheer my name every week.”