Jason Cummings insists Hibs can win the title after ending Rangers' winning streak 

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Jason Cummings insists Hibs now have the Championship title firmly in their sights after his wonder goal helped reduce the gap on Rangers to five points.

Mark Warburton tasted league defeat for the first time as Ibrox manager, with Paul Hanlon heading home the winner with 17 minutes left of a pulsating top-of-the-table clash at Easter Road.

Previously victorious in 11 straight league games, Rangers looked on course to at least remain unbeaten when Lee Wallace’s deflected strike cancelled out Cummings’ early opener.

Jason Cummings (centre) celebrates after scoring against Rangers in the Scottish Championship on Sunday

But after seeing Hanlon restore Hibs’ advantage, 11-goal Cummings believes the momentum in the title race has now swung.

‘It’s a massive three points,’ he said. ‘With Rangers going on that massive unbeaten run and for us to beat them … we’re going to see how they’ll react to that.

‘We’re only five points behind now and they’ll be looking over their backs.

‘Five points is nothing. You can claw that back in a couple of weeks and hopefully that rattles them a wee bit and we keep on winning.

‘Our confidence is through the roof now and I can’t see us getting beat any time soon and with them getting beat their heads are going to be down. So it’s going to be interesting.

‘The belief is there and we can definitely win the title.

‘We have got a great set of lads and a great manager and coaching staff.

‘We are capable of winning the league.’

Rangers manager Mark Warburton (left) and his assistant David Weir (right) look dejected on Sunday 

Cummings set the tone for the win by opening the scoring with a howitzer of a left-foot strike on 11 minutes.

Hibs have now won 10 and drawn one game since losing at Ibrox.

But the 20-year-old was keen to heap praise on John McGinn, the former St Mirren midfielder’s outstanding display pivotal to the result.

‘It’s probably one of the best goals I’ve scored,’ he added. ‘It’s the biggest game of the season for us, a massive game, and I don’t normally score from outside the box — it’s normally tap-ins — but that’s one of the best I’ve scored.

‘This run we are on is different class. We just want to keep it going and build on today.

‘John McGinn every week chucks his weigh about.

‘He is a bit of a huddie (carthorse) to be honest but he has been our main asset this season. He has been a top signing.

‘I love playing with him as he always seems to slip me in and he has been different class since he joined us.’

Cummings (right) fired his team in front inside the first quarter of an hour at Easter Road

Stubbs remained more circumspect in victory – but didn’t hold back when the subject of McGinn’s display was raised.

‘If I had to choose one word it would be “outstanding”. For me he was by head and shoulders the best player on the pitch,’ he said.

‘He was like a throwback to an old midfield player. His range of passing was outstanding, his work-rate for the team was unbelievable, his desire to win tackles and not be beaten was ridiculous at times. He’s got a fantastic opportunity to be a very, very good player.’

Stubbs refused to read too much into the win but claimed that the display underscored his belief that his side has improved over the past year.

‘No, it’s just another three points. It was obviously a big game today and it’s Rangers but it’s just another three points,’ he stressed.

‘But I think we’ve got a good blend here. Defensively we are stronger. We didn’ t start the season great but are a better team than last year.

‘We had a great individual last year with Scott Allan but now we are a better team. Scott is still a good player and I speak to him all the time. But he is gone and we’re a better team as a result of that.

‘Rangers have had all the plaudits and rightly so. They have had a fantastic start but we’re only five points behind them so we must have done something right.

‘I might not be showing it but I’m delighted inside.

‘I’m delighted for the players. They deserve all the credit for the result today. They stood up to a man, everyone of them.

‘Both teams deserve a lot of credit. I thought it was a great game. Chances at both ends and we’ve managed to come out on top.’ 

Paul Hanlon (left) netted a second-half winner to secure a vital three points against high-flying Rangers