Stout defending from Hibernian kept the scoreline blank at half-time in an often bad-tempered Ibrox encounter.

Rangers' Ronald de Boer, who was playing as a striker, flicked the home side's best first-half chance wide.

There was no doubt that this was the clash of the day with second-place Hibernian bringing a five-point advantage to Ibrox, home of the third-placed champions.

Rangers manager Dick Advocaat sprung a surprise on his Hibs counterpart Alex McLeish by naming Italian defender Sergio Porrini in the starting line-up for the first time since October 31.

Jorg Albertz was restored to the starting line-up following last week's 1-1 draw at rock-bottom Dundee United with Billy Dodds and Tony Vidmar making way.

Fernando Ricksen was also on the field, with Rangers' appeal against his trial by TV ban for kicking Aberdeen's Darren Young freeing him to play until a final verdict is reached.

Kenny Miller, who left Easter Road in a £2million summer deal, had to be content with a place on the bench.

McLeish had no need to make changes, with a full squad to choose from including Russell Latapy, the subject of some pointed jibes in an official Rangers publication earlier in the week.

David Zitelli, the man who scored the winner in his side's 1-0 home success earlier in the season was aiming to repeat the trick and earn Hibernian only their second Ibrox victory in a decade.

They last won in Govan in September 1995 thanks to a Darren Jackson goal.

But there was no doubt a draw today would suit the visitors more and Hibs boasted the tightest defence in the Scottish Premier League, with just 13 goals conceded in 21 games. Rangers in contrast had let in 23 in 20.

Rangers began with a 3-5-2 formation similar to the one employed with great effect by Hibernian all season, with Porrini an extra centre-back and de Boer up front with Michael Mols.

Hibs defender Gary Smith had to intervene after a series of passes between Mols, de Boer and Albertz almost put the German in on goal.

Next it was Paul Fenwick stopping de Boer latching on to a Mols flick but when Neil McCann was sent clear down the left flank there was no-one challenging de Boer in the middle. Fortunately for the visitors the Dutchman's header bounced wide of Nick Colgan's goal.

Reyna tried to charge through but found a defender in the way and the loose ball ended up at Albertz's feet just outside the area but his shot was well wide.

Ferguson set the German up for another effort from further out but again the shot was dragged wide.

Ricksen was involved in the game's first booking, after 11 minutes, which was the result of a reckless challenge. But Zitelli was the man who committed it on the Dutchman.

Ulrik Laursen forced Stefan Klos into a diving save moments later with a thumping volley which the German tipped round the post for a corner.

The home fans were angry because Zitelli had looked offside when setting him up, and Rangers' previous attack had been belatedly stopped by the other linesman's flag.

Latapy's corner was a clever one - cut back to Franck Sauzee in a lot of space - but the Frenchman's first-time effort was sliced wide.

But Rangers' reply almost broke the deadlock. Claudio Reyna saw a shot saved by Colgan but when he next had the ball at his feet he played Ricksen in down the right and de Boer, from close range, sent his cross right across the Hibernian goal and inches wide.

Reyna was then booked for scything down Laursen. Zitelli was again soon guilty of a rash challenge but was not punished for a second time.

Sauzee went down injured when Reyna kicked him as he tried to flick the ball over his head chasing Albertz's through-ball. He soon returned to the action.

Reyna's flick almost put Barry Ferguson in but Colgan got there first. Ferguson and the goalkeeper collided and, after a Hibs protest, the Rangers captain was booked. Mathias Jack protested too much, however, and he was also booked.

It was already a bad-tempered game with just 25 minutes played.

Ferguson and de Boer played a one-two but the captain's shot was dragged wide.

McCann beat three men on the left to get in a cross but Mols could not direct it goalwards and when de Boer went down on the edge of the box under Sauzee's challenge, play went on.

Porrini came forward, but gave the ball away and Latapy immediately set up a speedy counter that needed Bert Konterman to clear up.

Hibernian were having to do most of the defending, but they were clearly looking for opportunities at the other end.

As if to prove the theory, Konterman had to win his penalty-box challenge when Jack made a rare foray forward chasing Smith's long punt.

At the other end, Reyna showed quick feet to dummy Latapy and fire a shot straight at Colgan.

In the 41st minute, Hibs took Zitelli off and brought on Tom McManus.

Sauzee slid in to stop Mols putting Ferguson through in stoppage time.