Papac eying Firm showdown

SASA PAPAC admits he is already looking ahead to next week’s Old Firm derby with Celtic after Rangers secured another crucial win on Saturday.

Hibs are the only Scottish team to win at Ibrox this season and the visit of Mixu Paatelainen’s men represented a tough challenge for the SPL leaders.

However, goals from Jean-Claude Darcheville and Nacho Novo saw Rangers mark their 50th game of the season with a win despite a late goal from substitute Dean Shiels.

Papac — recalled to the left-back berth at the expense of Steven Whittaker for yesterday’s game — admits there is no more room for error as they attempt to wrest the championship from Celtic’s grasp.

“Every game is now difficult as we come towards the end of the season and we need to win every game,” he said. “Every game is a like a cup final now. We are always looking for the three points and I hope we can win against Celtic.

“It’s not easy. Hibs made it difficult for us. It wasn’t possible for us to score early on but we knew that we had to win.”

Having already claimed the CIS Insurance Cup, Rangers are in the hunt for three more trophies — the SPL, Scottish Cup and UEFA Cup.

There is no doubt in Papac’s mind which piece of silverware would give him most satisfaction come the end of the campaign.

“The SPL is very important and we have a good chance of winning it,” he said. “For me, it is the most important trophy although all the trophies are important. To play in the UEFA Cup is also good but I think the SPL is more important.”

RANGERS: McGregor, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Papac, Dailly, Thomson, Davis, Ferguson, McCulloch (Whittaker 81), Darcheville (Novo 67).

Subs Not Used: Alexander, Boyd, Naismith, Emslie, Furman.

HIBERNIAN: Ma-Kalambay, Canning, Hogg, Jones, Zarabi, Morais (Shiels 58), Chisholm (Zemmama 58), Rankin, Murray, Nish, Fletcher (Benjelloun 75).

Subs Not Used: McNeil, McCann, O’Brien, Stevenson.

REFEREE: Steve Conroy.