Rangers moved up to third in the Scottish Premiership with a nervy and narrow victory over Hibernian at Ibrox.

In a game bereft of much quality in the forward areas, a fine first-half header from defender Emmanuel Fernandez, from Dujon Sterling's excellent cross, was the difference between the sides after Hibs failed to make their early dominance count.

Substitute Djeidi Gassama thought he had added a second, stroking away Mohamed Diomande's excellent through ball, only to be frustrated by a flag for offside.

Hibernian's Warren O'Hora had a header hacked off the line with the game goalless, while substitute Thibault Klidje had a late effort blocked.

At the other end, Easter Road keeper Raphael Sallinger pulled off two good saves late on to deny Youssef Chermiti and Mohamed Diomande.

The victory maintains Danny Rohl's undefeated Premiership record since becoming head coach and delivered the result, if perhaps not the performance, the German was looking for after the disappointing Europa League defeat to Ferencvaros.

It was a match of relatively few chances which provided a crucial win nonetheless for the Ibrox side if they're to have any chance of closing the gap at the top of the table.

The three points keep Rohl's side within nine points of league leaders Hearts, with a game in hand, before the pair face off at Tynecastle on Sunday.

For Hibs, frustration that their enterprising play throughout most of the match failed to yield a goal, or indeed really a clear-cut chance, with the opportunity to leapfrog their hosts passing the capital club by.

Rangers will have to play a lot better than this if they're serious about mounting a title tilt. Second best in many areas of the park, they did however come out on top in the one area that matters - converting a chance.

In common with visiting boss David Gray, Rohl will be looking for a lot more quality from his side throughout the frantic festive period - and in particular in Gorgie on Sunday.

The Ibrox side haven't had their defensive problems to seek recently, and so a clean sheet will be warmly welcomed and indeed provided the platform for the win.

It must have been such a frustrating night for the Hibs manager Gray on the touchline. He must have liked a lot of what he saw, in particular the patient passing and nice build-up play.

In and around the box, however, the capital side were nowhere near clinical enough when they worked themselves into good areas. Which happened fairly often.

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl tells BBC Scotland: "I am happy today for the group, it was an exceptional effort. It was not always the nicest football but we are finding a way to win games.

"We have five clean sheets now, I'd like us to be more clinical. I'm happy with the points but, of course, we have to improve. It's step by step and for me it's about winning games.

"The win was deserved, we played not every part of the game where you think 'it's amazing' but with clean sheets and being clinical in the moment, you deserve to win."

Hibernian head coach David Gray tells BBC Scotland: "Real frustration because how we started, we asked players to be brave and start on front foot.

"I thought we played well up until the final third and that was a theme of night - and that's my biggest frustration because I know what's in there and how dangerous we can be. We got into good positions and our quality let us down.

"Very rarely does creating chances elude this side and that's the real frustration. We've not been outplayed or passed off the pitch or dominated.

It's the other side of Edinburgh up next for Rangers and a trip to face league leaders at Tynecastle on Sunday (13:30 GMT).

Hibs are still on their travels, facing Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday (15:00).