Neither side could make the breakthrough as Hibs and Rangers squared up in the chase for the Champions League qualifying spot.

Rangers visited Hibernian in the first of two matches between the sides that were expected to settle the question of who gets to play in the Champions League qualifiers next season and who enters the UEFA Cup.

The visitors began with a six-point advantage, plus a game in hand, but neither side had come into the game in good form.

Both made changes, with Hibernian, who gave a home debut to Frederic Arpinon, making three and Rangers four.

In came skipper Franck Sauzee, Mixu Paatelainen and Ian Murray for the home side, while Arthur Numan, Fernando Ricksen, Sergio Porrini and Billy Dodds were selected for the visitors.

Dodds was given a rare start and, in the absence of Marcus Gayle, had been chosen ahead of ex-Hibs star Kenny Miller.

Ricksen, who had just returned from a lengthy ban, was lectured early on for a high challenge on Ulrik Laursen.

Then Mathias Jack skipped past Porrini but Bert Konterman was there to intercept.

The first shot came from Arpinon but it was straight at Stefan Klos.

Paul Fenwick was penalised for climbing on Rangers striker Tore Andre Flo just outside the box but Claudio Reyna lifted the free-kick over the bar.

Jack had taken a knock and was replaced in the ninth minute by Grant Brebner.

Paatelainen got the better of Reyna in the Rangers half and Porrini was booked for handball after using an arm to stop him sending Russell Latapy through.

It was right on the edge of the box but Sauzee could not hit the target with the free-kick.

Flo again went down on the edge of the Hibs area under Fenwick's challenge.

Konterman blasted the free-kick through the wall but straight at Nick Colgan.

It was developing into an exchange of set-pieces with David Zitelli fouled by Scott Wilson to give Sauzee a blast from an angle that Klos punched away.

Rod Wallace missed the ball as he attempted an overhead kick in front of goal.

Both sides were playing 3-5-2 formations and were pretty much cancelling each other out.

Brebner almost changed that when he rose highest to head a Zitelli corner goalwards but a deflection off a defender diverted the ball over the bar.

Wallace had the ball in the net at the other end but the flag was already up for offside.

Ricksen got the better of Laursen down the right flank and from his cross Flo headed just wide.

At the other end, the ball almost fell to Arpinon in the box but it arrived just too quickly for the Frenchman.

Rangers went close to scoring from a Reyna corner when Flo and Konterman both got their heads to the ball in the box and Wallace, under pressure from the goalkeeper, headed wide.

Arpinon was booked for a challenge which left Barry Ferguson hurt and Dodds coming in hard in retaliation.

Seconds later, Zitelli was booked for an obvious handball from a Klos clearance.

Colgan denied Flo an opener when Ricksen won the ball and set up Dodds for a crisp first time pass into the Norwegian's path. The shot was low and hard but the goalkeeper blocked.

Zitelli went down in the box under Porrini's challenge but referee John Rowbotham was well placed and not interested.

Zitelli's cross from the right eluded everyone in the box, and Laursen retrieved it to fire across goal and waste his side's best opportunity in the process.

Ricksen, who had earlier escaped punishment for thrusting his arms in Latapy's face, was booked for hauling down Laursen.

Rod Wallace missed the ball as he attempted an overhead kick in front of goal.

Both sides were playing 3-5-2 formations and were pretty much cancelling each other out.

Brebner almost changed that when he rose highest to head a Zitelli corner goalwards but a deflection off a defender diverted the ball over the bar.

Wallace had the ball in the net at the other end but the flag was already up for offside.

Ricksen got the better of Laursen down the right flank and from his cross Flo headed just wide.

At the other end, the ball almost fell to Arpinon in the box but it arrived just too quickly for the Frenchman.

Rangers went close to scoring from a Reyna corner when Flo and Konterman both got their heads to the ball in the box and Wallace, under pressure from the goalkeeper, headed wide.

Arpinon was booked for a challenge which left Barry Ferguson hurt and Dodds coming in hard in retaliation.

Seconds later, Zitelli was booked for an obvious handball from a Klos clearance.

Colgan denied Flo an opener when Ricksen won the ball and set up Dodds for a crisp first time pass into the Norwegian's path. The shot was low and hard but the goalkeeper blocked.

Zitelli went down in the box under Porrini's challenge but referee John Rowbotham was well placed and not interested.

Zitelli's cross from the right eluded everyone in the box, and Laursen retrieved it to fire across goal and waste his side's best opportunity in the process.

Ricksen, who had earlier escaped punishment for thrusting his arms in Latapy's face, was booked for hauling down Laursen.