Hibernian 0 - 3 Rangers

Hibernian v Rangers: Preview

Updated: September 27, 2008, 2:57 PM UK

Hibernian have been rocked ahead of the visit of Rangers on Sunday with the news that winger Alan O'Brien will be sidelined for up to six weeks following knee surgery.

There could be a second blow for the Easter Road side following manager Mixu Paatelainen's confession that striker Colin Nish is doubtful for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League encounter after sustaining an ankle knock in the 1-0 win over Hamilton last weekend.

Full-backs Kevin McCann and Thierry Gathuessi are also out injured but Scotland striker Steven Fletcher has recovered from a virus and Sol Bamba is available again after suspension.

Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen believes defending well will be the key to his side taking a positive result from the clash.

The Glasgow giants head for Easter Road on the back of an impressive unbeaten run and a new-found reputation for attacking football.

Having dispensed with last-season's controversial counter-attacking style, which was characterised by manager Walter Smith's selection of only one striker, Rangers have racked up six victories and one draw in their last seven league and cup outings.

Paatelainen was pleased with Hibs' clean sheet in last weekend's 1-0 triumph at Hamilton, with a second-half rearguard effort required to take all three points.

And the big Finn is keen for another solid display against the SPL leaders.

He said: "Against any team - look at Hamilton in the second half - you must be able to defend.

"Certainly, against the Old Firm, they will always come out and attack, and they feel confident because they are up there and scoring goals with quality players.

"We must be able to defend well if we are to take anything from the game.

"It won't be easy because they are a quality team and are league leaders on merit. They are winning consistently and making it difficult for everybody.''

Andrius Velicka and Lee McCulloch are available for Rangers again.

Velicka has recovered from a bug while McCulloch has returned to training following a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Steven Whittaker is having an injection in a cyst behind his knee in a bid to overcome his early-season injury problems.

Rangers manager Walter Smith admits he has still has some experimenting to do as he bids to find his strongest team.

The Ibrox club have found form following their shock European exit to FBK Kaunas, winning five matches in a row ahead of the clash.

Pedro Mendes has added a creative spark to the midfield since his £3million signing from Portsmouth last month, while Steve Davis' permanent move from Fulham has also strengthened that department.

But Smith is keen to give everyone in his squad a chance to stake their claim, with Lee McCulloch, Andrius Velicka and Kenny Miller all returning to fitness.

Barry Ferguson and Steven Smith are also battling to regain fitness following injury, while Rangers hope an injection will cure Steven Whittaker's knee problem.

And Smith is far from finished as he ponders the various line-ups he can employ.

"We still have a few to look at,'' the Rangers manager said.

"Take Kyle Lafferty for example. He has had a few problems. He had a bad back injury, a hamstring injury and illness, so he has been in and out of our squad and missed a bit of training.

"We still have players to settle down and see what they can do. We maybe have a bit of tweaking to go.

"We have a big squad of players now and we don't have the number of matches we would have hoped to have, without European football.

"I wouldn't say it was settled down entirely - we have Barry Ferguson to come back from injury too.

"We have got a big squad and we have got to be fair to everyone.

"There will be games where some players will benefit against certain types of opposition. That's just down to me to choose which I think is best.''