Rangers keep lid on Hearts 'title' clash as injury updates given on Nico Raskin and Bojan Miovski

A first-half header from Emmanuel Fernandez secured the victory at Ibrox and moved Rangers into third place ahead of their trip to Tynecastle. Since Rohl arrived in October, they have won six of their eight games in the league and drawn the other two, breathing life into their aspirations of competing at the top end of the table.

Rangers also have a game in hand over Hearts and while Rohl is aware of the magnitude of this weekend’s game, he refused to label it as critical to the title race.

Asked if he was thinking of a title race if they prevail at Ibrox, Rohl said: “That's the word - if. No, it's about recovery. I spoke about small steps, and I think we made steps, again, five clean sheets now in the league.

“Yeah, we missed the three points at Dundee United - I would also take them - but we know what it means on this weekend. But on this weekend we will not decide the league. I think this is also important to understand, we will go there, we will try everything to take the next points, to continue our row unbeaten, and then let's see after the game where we are.”

The win against Hibs was notable for defender Dujon Sterling’s first start since April after rupturing his Achilles. He made a goalline clearance and also delivered the assist for Fernandez’s winner. Rohl admitted he needed to curb the 26-year-old’s enthusiasm in his comeback.

“I think the last couple of weeks he was sometimes a little bit angry about me because I pulled him back,” said Rohl. “But he understands, I think after the first minutes on Thursday, he felt that he was not playing for a long, long time, he was also tired.

“Then it was the decision today, 'OK, I bring him again from the bench or I start him' - in the end I decided to start him. He's a defender, he has good interceptions, he feels where the danger is, I think that helps massively.”

Why Raskin was named as a Rangers sub

Nicolas Raskin was only used as a substitute and Rohl explained that he was a major doubt due to injury. “Nico was a big question mark,” said Rohl. “He couldn't train the last 72 hours. He was just recovering, he had a problem with the muscle, in the morning he had a fitness test and it looked OK, but it was also clear for me he cannot start today.

“He helped in the last 15 minutes, I think this is good to have him, I missed on Thursday a six on the bench to bring new energy, and today I had this.”

Striker Bojan Miovski missed out but could be available for the trip to Edinburgh. “Let's see, day by day, today looks better. He could be he's available on Saturday, this is my hope.

One player who will not be available is Nasser Djiga, who is now on international duty with Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of Nations. “For me Nasser improved step by step, more and more,” added Rohl. “He goes now to the African Cup, that means again I have to change my last line, I have to think again. Every week or every three days is a new decision-making, but it's what it is and I try my best to make the best decision for the club.”