Rangers managed to get to within one point of Celtic at the top of the SPL table with a thrilling 3-2 win at Hibernian.

Rangers stormed into an early lead as Steven Whittaker fired in a goal in just the second minute. Whittaker controlled the ball with his chest before drilling in the opener against his former team from 23 yards out while Grzegorz Szamotulski could only watch.

Hibs didn't stay down for long as they put the visitors to the sword with repeated attacks, but Gers did well to deny them an equaliser.

Finally, in the 34th minute Hibs managed to level the scores when Lewis Stevenson broke on the left before crossing in to Steven Fletcher who nicked a header into the right corner.

Rangers took the lead a second time when Steven Davis slipped the ball into the Hibs box and Andrius Velicka, who was about to be substituted, slammed the ball into the net with his right foot.

Maurice Edu made it 3-1 in the 73rd minute when a Rangers corner resulted in a goalmouth scramble, as a host of Rangers players took their shots. Edu's was the one finally found the back of the net with a dig past the frantic Hibs 'keeper Grzegorz Szamotulski.

Hibs gave Rangers a scare as they pulled to within one goal when John Rankin fired in a breathtaking rocket of a goal from 35 yards out with just 84 minutes remaining.

The results sees Rangers close in on Celtic at the top, but Hibs are still seven points off Europa Cup football.

Hibernian: Szamotulski, van Zanten, Hogg, Jones, Stevenson, Rosa, Bamba, Rankin, Riordan, Nish, Fletcher Subs: Ma-Kalambay, Murray, O'Brien, Chisholm, McCormack, Thicot, Johansson

Rangers: Alexander, Whittaker, Weir, Bougherra, Papac, Davis, Edu, Mendes, Steven Smith, Boyd, Velicka Subs: Graeme Smith, Novo, Miller, Dailly, Niguez, Fleck, Little

Referee: S Conroy (Scotland)