Hibs 0 - 1 Rangers: Hibee Europa hopes in the balance

A 17th minute strike from Northern Ireland internationalist Kyle Lafferty was enough to steer Rangers to their second successive SPL title as the Ibrox club edged Hibs out at Easter Road on Sunday.

• Kyle Lafferty's strike was enough to take the three points and the SPL title

But while the Glasgow side celebrated, Hibs hopes of European football next season were left on a knife-edge with Motherwell's win over Hearts having seen the Lanarkshire outfit oust John Hughes' players from fourth place – and the final guaranteed Europa League spot with only three matches of the season remaining.

Rangers knew exactly what was required if they were to lift the SPL title for a second season in succession following Celtic's win over Dundee United at Tannadice, news of that victory coming through just minutes before the teams took to the pitch at Easter Road.

And Walter Smith's side began in determined fashion, skipper David Weir's netbound header from Kevin Thomson's corner deflecting off team-mate Kenny Miller and over before the ex-Hibs strker blasted a Lafferty flick over.

There was little surprise, though, when the Ibrox side took the lead in the 17th minute, Lafferty taking Miller's pass and holding off first Darren McCormack and then Hibs captain Chris Hogg before slotting a low shot across the body of Graeme Smith, restored to John Hughes' starting line-up after Graham Stack sustained an eye injury in training, and into the far corner of the net.

Lafferty's goal sparked fury in the West Stand as Rangers supporters, who had paid a premium to secure tickets in the hospitality area with the Ibrox club's allocation restricted to a mere 1500, jumped to their feet in acclamation, home fans making their feelings known long and hard to stewards who moved in to try to quell the disturbance.

Smith's courage wasn't in doubt as he went down at the feet of Thomson who was booked for sliding in late on the Hibs goalkeeper who was again forced to dive at the feet of Miller and then Steven Naismith to prevent further damage.

Hibs fans had had little to cheer but Derek Riordan had them roaring their approval as he unleashed a 27th minute shot from 30 yards which swerved before dipping viciously in front of Allan McGregor who did well to beat the ball away into an area where no green and shirt was lurking.

Maurice Edu almost made it two for Rangers with 35 minutes gone, the American getting his head to the ball after Weir had knocked Thomson's free-kick back across goal but able only to direct it onto the roof of the net instead of in to it.

As long as Rangers advantage remained a singled goal, however, there was hope for Hibs and Paul Hanlon almost levelled five minutes from the interval, the young defender getting a glancing header to John Rankin's corner only for the ball to drift inches wide of the far post.

Hibs were forced into a change for the second half, Steven Thicot joining Hanlon in central defence as Hogg made way, the stopper's back problem having presumably flared up again.

Clever build-up play involving McCormack, David Wotherspoon and Rankin carved open the Rangers defence but Wotherspoon couldn't keep his shot on target.

Hibs, and Riordan in particular, were left raging on the hour-mark, the striker going down as he wriggled between Lee McCulloch and Steven Whittaker, going down inside the penalty area claiming he'd been tripped by his former team-mate. Referee Willie Collum, however, was having none of it.

Wotherspoon was too slow on the trigger after a flick from substitute Abdessalam Benjelloun had played him in before McGregor was forced to throw himself full-length to his left to push away a half-volley from Riordan who continued to look the Hibs player most likely to claim a goal.

Colin Nish did have the ball in the net for Hibs with five minutes remaining but referee Collum adjudged him guilty of a push on McCulloch in the process.

In a grandstand finish Hibs forced a series of late corners none of which came to anything leaving Rangers to begin their championship party.

Hibs: Smith, McCormack, Hogg (Thicot 46), Hanlon, Murray, Wotherspoon, Cregg (Nish 55), McBride, Rankin, Stokes (Benjelloun 73), Riordan. Subs not used: Ma-Kalambay, Stevenson, Gow, Galbraith.

Rangers: McGregor, Whittaker, McCulloch, Weir, Papac, Davis, Edu, Thomson, Naismith, Miller (Novo 76), Lafferty. Subs not used: Alexander, Boyd, Broadfoot, Fleck, Little, Bendiksen.

Referee: William Collum.