Chris Hogg has insisted it would be "stupid" to start suggesting Hibernian could split the Old Firm in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League this season.

Hibs travel to Rangers on Saturday knowing victory would take them above their opponents into top spot and captain Hogg is confident John Hughes' men can upset the odds at Ibrox.

But with more than three-quarters of the campaign remaining, Hogg reckons claiming his side could finish above one or both of the Old Firm would be premature.

"It would be stupid of us to even think about that at this stage," said the defender.

"We're seven or eight games into the league and we've had an okay start.

"We're sitting in third position and it's important we don't get carried away with that.

"We'll leave everyone else to talk about whatever they want to talk about.

"It's a long old season."

He added: "I think we've got to believe in ourselves but I'm not going to be stupid enough to sit here and say, 'We're going to do this, we're going to do that'.

"It's up to us to stay focused and keep our feet on the ground and try to grind out results, like we did at the weekend against Kilmarnock.

"If we can do that, who knows where it can take us?"

Hogg knows from bitter experience how quickly things can fall apart on the back of what appears to be a significant victory.

The 24-year-old was part of the side managed by John Collins which won at Ibrox in October 2007 to go top of the SPL before slumping to a mid-table finish.

Hogg said: "We managed to get up there and we went on a horrendous losing streak after that."

As confidence-sapping as that experience proved to be, Hogg insists he and his fellow survivors from that team have held onto the belief that Rangers are far from invincible.

"I think it gives you a belief that you can go there and win," said the Englishman, who joined Hibs from Ipswich in January 2005.

"It's been a good ground to me since I've been up here.

"There's been talk of us getting a result but I'm sure it's going to be a tough encounter and it's one we're relishing."

Saturday's hard-fought victory against Killie kept Hibs two points behind new leaders Rangers and closed them to within one of second-placed Celtic.

And despite being loath to make predictions, Hogg forecast Hibs would take the game to Rangers this weekend.

"If you go to Ibrox, and sit back and try to defend for 90 minutes, you're going to get beaten," he said.

"They'll create chances - they're at home. It's up to us to minimise the chances and also create our own chances when we do go forward.

"Knowing the gaffer, I'm sure we'll be playing an attacking style and try to get those goals."

Since taking charge of boyhood idols Hibs, Hughes has voiced his fears about them being prone to inconsistency.

Hogg said: "I think we're a very attacking side.

"Obviously, some weeks it's going to work and other weeks it won't, and I think the gaffer knows that.

"It's up to us to try to make it work every week and hopefully it will do."