Rangers' Clydesdale Bank Premier League title hopes took a dent on Sunday as they were held to a goalless draw at Hibs.

The UEFA Cup finalists could not find a way past the Leith side's defence, although striker Daniel Cousin had a second-half 'goal' ruled out for offside.

The points sees Walter Smith's side cut Celtic's lead at the top of the table to seven points but now they have only three games in hand over the Parkhead club.

Hibs stay in the hunt for third place and a UEFA Cup spot - they are now just a point behind Motherwell, although Well do have two games (both against Rangers) in hand.

Smith claimed after the game he feels the country is not getting behind the club's UEFA Cup bid.

Their final opponents Zenit St Petersburg will not play before the showpiece on May 14 after having several matches postponed to help their cause.

Rangers must face Motherwell and Dundee United and Smith is not expecting any favours from the SPL, who extended the season by four days to accommodate the Ibrox club's fixture backlog.

"It's ironic that one association cancels four games but that's the situation we are in," Smith told BBC Radio Scotland.

"Everyone in Scotland has made it quite clear they won't do anything for Rangers. We just have to do the best we can.

"I think the SPL have made it quite clear that they are not going to do anything like that.

"We have got games to play, we'll play the games if everyone thinks that's the right thing to do."

Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen said: "It was a fantastic football match.

"The boys put in a whole-hearted effort. We put them under pressure."

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