Split verdict on fixture carve-up

IN SPORT there are rarely facts, simply interpretations of them. No more so than when the situation is laced with the rivalry of Old Firm foes. Since the post-split fixtures were announced, there has been an abundance of paranoid gripes and a stench of dissatisfaction. The upcoming match between Hibernian and Rangers has accounted for its fair share of it.

Rangers saw their anticipated away clash with Hearts switched to Ibrox and in its place they were prescribed a third trip to Easter Road. An easier option, complained Celtic fans, and while he insists no-one at Easter Road will roll over, Ian Murray concedes they may have a justifiable grievance.

"This season I don't think you can really argue with the facts," says the former Rangers player. "We did beat Celtic here, but I think our home form has let us down badly. We've dropped a lot of points here which normally we wouldn't. On that side of the coin Celtic are right, but on the other side they've already come here and we've managed to beat them 2-0, so we know we can beat the Old Firm and that's probably all the motivation we need really."

In the two meetings in Leith already this season, Hibs lost 3-0 and then, just a matter of weeks ago, 3-2. It was a marked improvement and showed that on their day they have the ability to challenge anyone in the league. The problem, though, with only six wins from 17 home games, is inconsistency.

"The only thing we've shown consistently this season, apart from one or two games, is our ability to battle through games. We've not been completely and utterly cut open at times. We've taken a couple of heavy defeats, but Rangers 3-0 here was probably the only game this season where we've felt utterly outclassed. In the other games we've always managed to keep ourselves in the game and at times nicked an unlikely goal."

That is what is worrying Rangers. Despite their 100 per cent record at Easter Road this term (Hibs have not beaten Rangers at home since September 2006) history advises caution.

"Maybe Hibs will have a big say (in where the title goes]," says Rangers defender Sasa Papac, "but I don't know how they are as a team and how hungry they will be for the games. But I do think they will be up for it because I remember the final game of last season we lost 2-0 to Aberdeen."

Those final-day results cost Rangers the title and they will be wary of other teams with seemingly nothing to play for. As well as Rangers, Hibs also have Celtic to play in the run-in and although some would argue that Hibs are merely in the top six to make up the numbers, Murray recognises the vital role they could play.

"I don't think any player has ever gone out on to the pitch and not really cared," says the player who has come back from a groin operation, and although he insists he is still short of the match sharpness and fitness he would like, played a blinder against capital rivals Hearts midweek. He captained a makeshift Hibs to victory that night to offer a reminder that nothing is completely predictable in football. "As far as that goes, I think personal pride takes care of that. In some aspects it's quite good because Rangers are coming here and looking for the league title, so we know that in a strange way we play a part in where that's heading. Knowing the fact that we do have a chance to decide where the European places go and the league title, makes it important for us to go out and show we can perform at these levels – and also without being accused of not trying against certain sides. In that aspect we have to go out there and do our best.

"Celtic and Rangers will both be looking for us to do them a favour. We beat Celtic earlier on in the season and we ran Rangers fairly close in the last game. I think Rangers know every time they come here it's going to be a tough game, it's one of these fixtures you look at at the start of the season and predict it's going to be a tough one. I think we can guarantee both sets of the Old Firm fans that there's no favouritism through here. Our players and our fans want to win as much against either of them, it's still a big scalp in Scotland. We'll be doing our best against both teams."

There are no arguments from Rangers manager Walter Smith. He has his own issues with the post-split fixture list but he refuses to accept that his side have been done any favours with regards their third trip away to Mixu Paatelainen's men. Though, he knows he and his players are in a virtual lose-lose situation. Win and Celtic fans will see that as a confirmation that Hibs were an easier away option than Hearts, lose and, well, they lose.

"I just think going to Easter Road is a difficult match at any given time. We've had decent performances and decent results there but we've never had a decent result without playing well.

"Every team has to have pride and pride in their performances – they're not going to let any team win because they're going for the championship. Aberdeen didn't have anything to play for in the final game of last season and you saw the effort and levels of concentration they put in in their match against us. But we've got to get on with it, we're going to places that have always been very difficult for us."

Difficulty can be measured in degrees and the findings, like the facts are always open to interpretation.