Ibrox is finally back to full capacity and the bumper crowd were on the edge of their seats as Rangers ground out a tough 1-0 victory over Hibs to close the gap on Celtic and Aberdeen to five points.
Philippe Clement's side were made to work hard for their victory though with their stubborn visitors determined to spoil the homecoming party with some dogged defending and slick counter-attacking coming up just short.
Tom Lawrence's superb strike ten minutes before the break was initially ruled out for offside before a VAR check determined he was played on to give the home side the lead. There was to be more VAR drama in first-half stoppage time as John Souttar blocked Mykola Kukharevych's point-blank effort with his raised elbow, which saw Hibs awarded a penalty.
The Ukrainian stepped up to take the spot-kick himself but his stutter-step run-up wasn't fooling Jack Butland, who dived low to his right to keep the effort out.
David Gray can be proud of his players and their second-half response as they looked to have the edge overall despite lacking in clear-cut chances.
It was the home side who had the next major moment though as substitute Cyriel Dessers was somehow denied by Joe Bursik in the Hibs goal, as he clawed the Nigerian striker's goal-bound header off the line, before moments later Hibs sub Dwight Gayle headed wide on his debut, when he looked certain to score.
It's a vital win for Rangers this afternoon, stick with us as we bring you all the reaction from Ibrox LIVE right here.
Key Events
Player ratings
Rangers: Butland 8, Tavernier 6, Souttar 7, Propper 7, Jefte 7, Barron 6, Raskin 6 (Dowell 46, 4), Lawrence 7 (Kasanwirjo 85, 2), McCausland 6 (Bajrami 46, 4), Cerny 6 (Sterling 68, 3), Igamane 6 (Dessers 55, 3). Subs: Kelly, Dessers, Bajrami, Dowell, Sterling, Kasanwirjo, Balogun, Fraser, McKinnon.
Hibernian: Bursik 7, Miller 5, Ekpiteta 6, O’Hora 6, Obita 6, C. Cadden 6, Kwon 7 (Levitt 77, 2), Triantis 7 (Moriah-Welsh 80, 2), Campbell 6 (McKirdy 77, 2), Hoilett 7 (Youan 68,2), Kuharevich 5 (Gayle 68, 2). Subs: Smith, Iredale, Bushiri, Molotnikov.
Butland on the penalty save
The Gers stopper has spoken about saving Mykola Kukharevych' spot kick which ultimately won his side the game.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said:
We do our research and have a look. It doesn't always pay off but for anyone taking a penalty here in front of our fans, it's a pressure situation.
Thhankfully it went the right way and was an important save to take into the half.
Full-time: Rangers 1-0 Hibernian
The full-time whistle goes and Rangers have managed to hold on to claim a priceless three points with a 1-0 victory.
Tom Lawrence's super strike is enough to close the gap on Celtic and Aberdeen to five points, but there were chances for both sides to add to the goal count.
O'Hora booked
The corner is cleared but Hibs keep possession and Levitt's delivery to the back post is challenged by O'Hora, but it goes behind for a goal-kick, which the Hibs captain picks up a late booking for protesting.
Miller long throw
It's been a weapon for Hibs all afternoon but Lewis Miller's long throw is cleared behind by Propper for a corner, which Dylan Levitt will take.
Four added minutes
There's a few groans around the stadium as the fourth official confirms four extra minutes to play. Can Rangers hold on, or will Hibs have a sting in the tail?
Propper again
It's another chance for Robin Propper as he rises to meet Tavernier's free-kick delivery, but it's over the bar once more.
Sterling effort
Dujon Sterling does very well to keep possession as he drifts into the corner and wriggles his way clear from two challenges, before being fouled around the corner flag.
Propper chance
It's a big chance for the Dutch centre-half as Jefte whips in a dangerous free-kick from the left, but there's little conviction or power in the header and it drifts over the bar.
There's a feeling in the stadium that Rangers need this second goal to make sure of the points.
Rangers sub
Tom Lawrence comes off after grabbing the only goal of the game so far and he's replaced by Neraysho Kasanwirjo for the closing stages as Philippe Clement looks to stiffen things up defensively.
Bajrami effort blocked
Rangers sweep forward with an excellent team move, but Bajrami sees his effort blocked.
Massive chance for Hibs
It's a superb chance for Dwight Gayle to open up his Hibs account as a terrific cross from the right finds the striker, but his header back across is just wide.
What a chance that was for the equaliser.
Bursik somehow denies Dessers
Joe Bursik makes an unbelievable save as Rangers push for a second goal.
The striker meets the cross brilliantly and heads it goalwards, but somehow the Hibs keeper claws it off the line.
Still 1-0 Rangers.
Change for Hibs
Harry McKirdy comes on for Josh Campbell. All out attack now from the visitors?
Rangers rattled
The home side look a bit rattled here as Butland plays a simple pass out for Propper who fails to control it and it trickles out for a throw-in.
Miller's long throw comes off Ekpiteta and nearly breaks for the gambling Gayle, but Butland is able to gather.
Changes for both sides
Hibs make that double change as Junior Hoilett comes off for Elie Youan and Mykola Kukharevych is replaced by Dwight Gayle for his Hibs debut.
Rangers bring off Vaclav Cerny, who's just had a wee bite back at the fans groans, replaced by Dujon Sterling.
Fans getting restless
The home support are getting a bit restless here as Rangers give the ball away once more, which draws some real groans from those in attendance.
Hibs are getting ready to make a double change as well.
Free-kick for Hibs
Junior Hoilett is forced wide by Souttar, but the Rangers defender puts his foot in needlessly there and it's a free-kick in a dangerous area.
The delivery falls for Jefte, who clears, but Rangers end up conceding a throw-in.
Kwon fires over
It's another chance for Hibs as Hoilett is given plenty of time to send his cross in. His delivery is a wicked one, with the clearance falling for Kwon at the edge of the area, but the South Korean midfielder fires over the top.
Hibs have arguably had the better of the second half so far, but it remains Rangers 1-0 Hibernian, with 58 minutes on the clock.
Another corner
Hibs have another corner, as Hoilett's first delivery is headed behind, but the second is met by Butland who punches clear, but the whistle goes for a bit of a push in the box.
Rangers change
Rangers are facing a corner, but elect to make the change as Cyriel Dessers is on and Hamza Igamane's maiden start comes to an end.
Decent chance for Hibs
The free-kick from deep on the right by Hoilett is a great one as it's played right into the corridor of uncertainty, falling for Josh Campbell, but he can't quite get ahold of his effort and Rangers can clear.
Campbell has another effort, blocked this time and out for a corner.
Propper booked
Robin Propper goes into the book as he brings down his man on the right-hand side.
Jefte fires wide
Rangers are on the attack, as Bajrami's effort is blocked at the edge of the box, but it breaks for Jefte, who drives forward and tries an audacious outside-of-the-foot shot from a similar position, with the ball drifting wide.
Rangers pushing forward
Rangers make their first attacking strides of the second half now as Cerny's great switch finds Bajrami, who then crosses for Igamane.
The ball breaks for Dowell who cuts inside and goes down outside the box, but Nick Walsh is unmoved.
Hibs on the attack
It certainly seems like Hibs have gotten over that setback and are back on the attack.
Hoilett does well to drift past Tavernier, with the ball eventually being switched across to Miller who's fouled on the right hand side for a free-kick.
Hoilett's delivery finds Kukharevych but it's wide for a goal-kick.
Early Hibs long throw
Hibs win themselves a long throw early on which Miller launches in. The ball is cleared but Hibs retain possession and win themselves a corner from the other side.
The delivery from Hoilett is clutched by Butland though and Rangers win the ball back.
Second half kicks off
Hibs get us under way for the second half, can they shake off that penalty mishap to get themselves back into the game, or will Rangers hold on for a vital three points.
Double change for hosts
Philippe Clement has turned to his bench for the second half as he makes a double change, with Kieran Dowell replacing Nico Raskin and Nedim Bajrami on for Ross McCausland.
Kick-off for the second half is imminent.
