Source: Team_Talk
Rankin braced for crucial clashes
Hibs are in the midst of their poorest run of form since John Hughes became manager last summer, taking just two points from the last five SPL games to surrender third place.[LNB]Motherwell are also snapping at their heels for the SPL's final Europa League spot and could go level on points with Hughes' men if results go their way on Saturday.[LNB]Easter Road star Rankin, 26, reckons victory against Kilmarnock and in the following weekend's Active Nation Scottish Cup quarter-final against Ross Count could reignite Hibs' stuttering campaign.[LNB]He told Hibernian TV: "Kilmarnock have been on a really good run, picking up points just about everywhere until they lost out at the weekend to Motherwell.[LNB]"That just makes things a little more difficult for us because they will now be determined to put that right as well.[LNB]"That said though, we really should be using our home advantage over the next couple of weeks against Kilmarnock and then Ross County in the cup.[LNB]"(If) we win these two games and we will be firmly back on track again in both competitions."[LNB]Rankin has been virtually an ever-present since Hughes arrived at Hibs but was axed for Saturday's 1-1 draw with St Johnstone.[LNB]"It is always disappointing not to play in a game but the manager spoke to me on Friday and said he wanted to try something different so you accept that," Rankin said.[LNB]"It was more disappointing though that the boys did not manage to pick up the three points, so we are left now still searching for a win."[LNB]Meanwhile, Sol Bamba and Lee Miller will both be walking a disciplinary tightrope at Easter Road this weekend.[LNB]If either is booked, they will almost certainly miss the Edinburgh derby on March 20.[LNB]Defender Bamba is just one point from the disciplinary threshold, while Miller is three points away.[LNB][LNB][LNB]
