Rangers were held to a goalless draw by Hibs in a pulsating Scottish Cup fifth-round tie.

It proved to be a busy afternoon for the goalkeepers with both sides creating plenty of chances but ultimately lacking the cutting edge required to progress to the last eight.

Gers keeper Allan McGregor was sent off late on after rushing out of his goal to bring down Dean Shiels, meaning an unexpected debut for new signing Neil Alexander.

However, Shiels wasted the free kick sending it over the bar and failing to test the newcomer. It was to prove the last chance of the game.

Earlier Steven Fletcher had gone closest for Hibs, going around McGregor before seeing his shot headed off the line by Sasa Papac. The Hibs man also had an effort hacked clear in the first half.

For the visitors, both Barry Ferguson and Lee McCulloch had first-half chances to put their side in front, but keeper Yves Ma-Kalambay was in good form.

The result adds to Rangers' fixture backlog and no replay date has yet been set.

Both clubs had hoped to stage the game this comng Wednesday, but the SFA have rejected that date as several players are away on international duty.

The eventual winners of the tie will entertain either Livingston or Partick Thistle in the quarter-finals.

Rangers boss Walter Smith believes finding a suitable date will now prove problematic.

He said: "I'm a wee bit bemused because we have offered to play it on Wednesday and they have told us we can't and I don't know why.

"With us having a busy schedule and having one week available to us, it's a bit of a mystery why we can't play it because it's really the only Wednesday we have to play unless they are going to cancel a UEFA Cup tie or a league game!''

Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen was happy with his men.

"I thought we had chances to win the game ... but it's a replay," he said.

"McGregor in goal did really well, he made great saves.

"It wasn't to be, but all in all the effort the boys put in today was fantastic."

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