JOHN McGINN has warned Hibs that Rangers will be a ‘different animal’ when the teams go head to head in the Scottish Cup final.

Fresh from beating Celtic in Sunday’s last-four clash, Mark Warburton’s team went down 3-2 at Easter Road just three days later.

The result has caused excitement among Hibees who will see Alan Stubbs and his side go to Hampden on May 21 for a sixth meeting this term with their Ibrox rivals.

However, as much as midfielder McGinn takes encouragement from the midweek victory, he is refusing to get carried away.

“I don’t think we can read into that too much, it was a tough weekend for Rangers,” he said.

“I know if I had had to play on Tuesday night it would have been a struggle.

“I think we managed to take advantage of their tiredness. They’ll be a different animal come May.”

McGinn was another star performer in green and white as Hibs got their push for second place in the Championship back on track.

It has been a terrific year for the former St Mirren man who left the Buddies last summer. Not only has he become a regular for Alan Stubbs, but he crowned off the campaign last month with his first international call up.

But the 21-year-old is focusing on domestic matters as he looks to bring a memorable year to a memorable close.

“We have a chance to make it a great season,” he said.

“It would just be a good season if that was the case.

“Good players remember their successes and all the players in the dressing room are determined not to let this pass us by.

“We know how important it is for this club to be in the Premiership, that was the main aim and that’s what we’re looking to do.”

Reflecting on the win over Rangers, McGinn added: “We knew before we went into the game that we needed a win and nothing less.

“That’s the way the manager was telling us to think and that’s the way we treated it.

“The two goal start helped us and in the end it was a massive three points for us.

“All we can do is win our games now and if we can claw a few goals back then even better.

“I think it was a psychological boost for us to get that win.

“And now it’s going to be an interesting battle for second.”