The next two games at Easter Road could well define the remainder of the season for Hibernian - wins over Kilmarnock and Ross County not only reigniting the challenge for third slot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League but of course adding strength to a possible second route to European football with a place in the Scottish Cup Semi-Final.

John Rankin is certainly aware of that, the midfielder underlining the importance of using home advantage in an interview on Hibernian TV this morning. Hibernian have an enviable home record this season under John Hughes, 11 wins and 4 draws with only three defeats at the hands of the Old Firm and in the Co-operative Cup match against St Johnstone. But Rankin pointed out that the side will need to use their home advantage to the full and that means ensuring they do not relinquish any advantage gained as they did on Saturday.

John had to sit out the game at the weekend as his manager sought to change things around, something the player certainly understood: "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 - 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. We've always known that when you take a lead at home you must continue to pressure the opposition and ensure you pick up the three points, we really should never lose a lead at home. Unfortunately we did and while we picked up the point we were perhaps a little fortunate in the end as Morais was a bit unlucky right at the death with a good chance."

Rankin is well aware of a revival in fortunes for Saturday's opponents Kilmarnock since Jim Jefferies departed the Ayrshire side, and he feels the fact that Killie suffered a setback of their own at the weekend does not help the Hibernian cause in the slightest: "Kilmarnock have been on a really good run picking up points just about everywhere until they lost out at the weekend to Motherwell - and that just makes things a little more difficult for us because they will now be determined to put that right as well. 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, we win these two games and we will be firmly back on track again in both competitions.

"Kilmarnock is like St Johnstone in that they have the big players in their side that will cause problems for any defence - Kyle will certainly be dangerous for them and the boy Conor Sammon is quite big as well, but every week you are facing different styles of play. We are known as a football side - Killie will come and try to impose on the game but hopefully we can be a lot more convincing than we were at the weekend there. Certainly if we take an early lead we need to look to build on that, the second goal is always a vital one."

Hibernian's Under-19 side are hoping to be in action today after weeks of postponements, with Motherwell providing the opposition at the Hibernian Training Centre (kick off 12.00pm).