Hibernian defender Chris Cadden insists his side are relishing the challenge of facing a rejuvenated Rangers at Easter Road tonight in the Scottish Premiership.
With Hibs confidence high and motivation boosted by the memory of their last meeting with the Ibrox side which ended in defeat after Hibs had their opener disallowed for a Martin Boyle handball,
Hibs come into the fixture on the back of two impressive league victories over Livingston and Aberdeen, results that have helped stabilise their campaign after an inconsistent start which included an Edinbrugh derby defeat to league leaders Hearts at Tynecastle.
Cadden believes the improvement has been clear not just in results but in the collective feel of the group.
“Any time you go away and get a win like we did on Sunday, it’s big,” he said.
“Aberdeen are a good side and going up there is never easy. But I thought we played really well.
“When you win games of football it helps the atmosphere, and the feeling around the place, massively.
“We felt performances had been there for most of the season, but now the results are starting to match that.”
Rangers arrive in the capital under new head coach Danny Rohl, who secured a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock in his first Scottish Premiership match in charge at the weekend.
Hibs are preparing for the familiar intensity and quality that Rangers typically bring, but Cadden is aware that a managerial change can often spark an additional edge.
“Rangers are always going to be a good side, always have good players – they’re at Rangers for a reason,” he said.
“With a new manager you expect a reaction, a bounce, players trying to get into the team and impress.
“So we know we need to be at the top of our game. But we’ll focus on us, because we know the quality we’ve got in the dressing room.”
The last time the sides met was in the League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox, where Hibs were left frustrated after failing to impose themselves.
Cadden admitted that performance has remained in the players’ minds. “There was a lot of regret about the last time we faced Rangers.
“We didn’t put in the performance we could have. That fuels us, especially being at Easter Road this time.”
And the setting tonight is exactly the kind that both Rangers and Hibs players will relish: under the lights, live on television, and a home support that has seen the team go almost a full year unbeaten in-home league matches.
“Hibs vs Rangers is always a big game,” Cadden added. “Under the lights, on the telly, at Easter Road – the atmosphere will be electric.
“These are the games you come to the club for.”
With both clubs looking to build momentum in a tightening league table, and narrative threads running in every direction, the stage is set for a fierce encounter in the capital.
Tonight, both teams will be asked to match the occasion.