After only 4 minutes played Steven Lennon crossed from the right wing low across the face of goal, where the onrushing Blair Tolmie was trying to cover back, as the Hibs defender ran onto the ball he only succeeded in prodding it over the line to put the 'Gers one up.
Hibernian weren't there just make up the numbers and showed why they too had ambitions of a lofty finishing position as Jordan Cropley let fly with a free kick which was very well saved by the outstretched arms of Scott Galllacher.
On 23 minutes Andy Shinnie lined up a shot from 25 yards but as his low drive beat Mathew Curtis it struck the right hand post. At this point the match was going from end to end as Patrick Deane raced through one on one with Gallacher but again the 'Keeper was in outstanding form as he saved bravely at the feet of the Edinburgh sides striker.
One the half hour mark Stevie Lennon played a defence spitting through ball to young Fleck who raced through the middle and the Internationalist finished with a decisive strike which left Curits without a hope and put the 'Gers two up.
Just as Rangers extended their lead word came through from Celtic Park that the reigning champions had began their challenge in earnest as Sheridan put the Hoops a goal up at the same time.
It was a nervous end to the last five minutes of the first half as Hibs threw everything forward to save their 3rd place challenge with first a long range shot striking the bar before Gallacher produced a fingertip save from Crawford and then on the stoke of half time the Hibees front man struck the post.
The Light Blues started the second half brightly with some dangerous crosses into the box but on all occasions the Hibs defenders cleared their lines.
The watching crowd received a massive boost to the afternoon proceedings on the hour mark when further word came through from the East End that the Bairns had now taken the lead, 2-1, and with half an hour to go the challenge from Celtic was effectively over.
That didn't detracted Rangers from the task in hand and on 67 minutes Fleck returned the favour to Lennon and provided the Hit Man with a perfect pass which the Youths Teams Top Scorer gratefully accepted, shook off his marker, and then shot home from the edge of the box.
As the match played out, it was only a matter of time before the 5 year wait was over, however in the dying seconds Andy Shinnie was brought crashing in the box and referee Bobby Madden had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Alan Lowing stepped up and finished with aplomb to end the scoring right on the final whistle. At the same time confirmation came through that Falkirk had defeated Celtic by 3-2, so the Hoops hopes of a 4 goal winning margin more than Rangers was well and truly laid to rest and the Party could begin!
RANGERS - Gallacher, Lowing, Kinniburgh, Perry, Smith, Emslie, McLachlan, Shinnie, Lennon (Campbell83), Fleck, McMillan (Ness 77).
Subs Not Used - Adam, Little, Donald, Craig, McShea.
HIBERNIAN - Curtis, Russell, Hanlon, Tolmie, Mailey, Welsh, Wilson, Currie, Crawford, Deane, Cropley
Subs - Wotherspoon, Pollock, Martin, Waugh, McCawley.