On current form, Rangers will not be caught at the Ladbrokes Championship summit.
Mark Warburton’s side have only dropped 12 points from their first 25 matches this season.
And after Hibernian failed to make the most of their game in hand following a shock 3-0 defeat to Morton on Wednesday, an eight point advantage for the leaders with only 11 games remaining appears insurmountable.
Despite the enormity of the challenge, Hibernian defender Liam Fontaine is not ready to concede defeat.
“Of course we’re going to have to look at it that way,” replied the centre-half after he was asked whether Hibs would need to win all their remaining matches to stand any chance of taking the chequered flag.
“Rangers are going to have to drop points and if they do, we need to be there.
“That’s all we’re going to look to do every time and keep putting points on the board whenever we can.
“The Morton game was our one in hand and it would have shut the gap down to five points.
“It’s unfortunate and it is disappointing, but you can’t change it so we go again.
“Disappointments happen. Everyone knows that; in life not just sport.
“It’s going to sound repetitive but we just have to move on.
“You can’t afford to let it affect you.
“The more experienced ones in the team will have to talk to the younger lads and keep them upbeat. You can’t let things like that affect you.”
Hibs, who travel to Dumbarton today, have no time to feel sorry for themselves ahead of what could be a season-defining month.
Sandwiched between league games in March, Alan Stubbs’ side face Inverness in a Scottish Cup quarter-final before locking horns with Ross County in the League Cup final.
Fontaine added: “It’s exciting to be involved in and be a part of a team that’s looking to achieve things.
“I’ve said it before this season but it’s just a great place to be.
“The League Cup final is going to be a great occasion but until we can’t think about it until we’re there and until after the Inverness game.
“We need to focus on the two league games previous and the hopefully get into the next round of the Scottish Cup, which will be another great achievement.
“The League Cup’s a massive occasion for us and obviously it would be nice to win a trophy, but ultimately we need to get this club back into the Premiership and that’s our main agenda.”
