**Rangers retained their Scottish Premier League title with a narrow victory over Hibernian at Easter Road.**Kyle Lafferty fired Rangers into the lead on 17 minutes with a well-taken strike past goalkeeper Graeme Smith.
David Wotherspoon and Derek Riordan came close to levelling for Hibs after the break, with the latter also having a penalty claim turned down.
Colin Nish had a goal disallowed for a foul on Lee McCulloch as Hibs’ late charge failed to yield a score.
With second-placed Celtic having beaten Dundee United earlier in the day, Rangers knew victory in Leith would guarantee them a second straight SPL success.
And the visitors threatened straight from the off as Steven Davis’s cross was headed over by Maurice Edu, who replaced Madjid Bougherra in the starting line-up in a reshuffle that saw McCulloch dropped back into defence.
Kevin Thomson’s corner was headed towards goal by David Weir and flicked over by Kenny Miller, who moments later volleyed clear of the bar from a Lafferty head-flick.
Rangers’ opener came when Miller lifted the ball forward for Lafferty to run on to and the Northern Ireland international held off the challenge of Darren McCormack and Chris Hogg before firing a left-foot shot into the far corner.
Hibs were being caught on the break with quick balls over the top and, in one such attack, Davis raced clear and tried to set up Thomson, who fouled keeper Smith as he tried to make contact with the ball and was promptly booked by referee Willie Collum.
Riordan tried to give the hosts more attacking impetus with a long-range dipping shot that was spilled by goalkeeper Allan McGregor before the danger was cleared.
A Thomson free-kick was headed back into the six-yard box by Weir for Edu to head over, Smith doing just enough to put the American off.
A teasing Rankin corner was glanced wide of the Rangers goal by the head of Paul Hanlon six minutes ahead of the break.
Hibernian were inches away from a leveller 10 minutes into the second half as Rankin’s back-heel teed up Wotherspoon, who swept his shot just wide.
The home side were attacking with more purpose and Riordan skinned Steven Whittaker before going down in the box under the defender’s challenge but referee Collum waved away the Hibs forward’s spot-kick appeal.
Steven Naismith had replaced top scorer Kris Boyd in the Rangers starting line-up and drew a save from Smith with a powerful drive from the edge of the box.
Patrick Cregg’s replacement Nish nodded a long ball down to Riordan, whose rasping volley was beaten wide by McGregor.
The game was becoming increasingly stretched and Edu’s deflected drive whizzed beyond Smith’s left-hand post.
Nish chested down a long ball and unleashed a shot into the net but the referee’s whistle had already blown against the striker for a push on McCulloch.
And Rangers survived out a late rally of Hibs corners to get the win they needed and confirm a 53rd top flight triumph.
Rangers01 McGregor03 Weir05 Papac yellow card16 Whittaker02 Edu06 McCulloch07 Davis08 Thomson yellow card14 Naismith18 Miller (Novo 76)27 LaffertySubstitutes25 Alexander,21 Broadfoot,48 Little,49 Kind Bendiksen,09 Boyd,10 Novo,29 FleckRef: CollumAtt: 10,573RANGERSPossessionHibernian 52%Rangers 48%Attempts on targetHibernian 5Rangers 5Attempts off targetHibernian 6Rangers 8CornersHibernian 6Rangers 5FoulsHibernian 11Rangers 15
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