After the frustration of last weekend, Rangers face another Edinburgh side at home tomorrow as they face Hearts. Despite knowing that circumstances conspired against us, the defeat to Hibs has made this game one we must win already.
HEARTS FORM
The last five results for Hearts have been pretty inconsistent:
LEAGUE CUP SECTION v East Fife (Home), 3-0 win
LEAGUE CUP SECTION v Peterhead (Away), 2-1 defeat
LEAGUE CUP SECTION v Dunfermline (Home), 2-2 draw
SPFL PREMIERSHIP WEEK 1 v Celtic (Away), 4-1 defeat
SPFL PREMIERSHIP WEEK 2 v Kilmarnock (Away), 1-0 win
There’s a chance Hearts will play with a back three after seeing how well it worked for Hibs. They have been playing a 4-4-2 since Jon Daly was put in temporary charge, though. Goncalves and Lafferty are a dangerous partnership if a team plays on the counter. Jamie Walker looks set to be involved, despite the constant links to Rangers this summer. In midfield, Cowie and Djoum are very capable if they play well. With the likes of Berra and Aaron Hughes in the squad also, it’s a team that looks better on paper than results suggest.
From Rangers perspective, the starting side is likely to be pretty much the same. Ryan Jack’s appeal was successful, so he’ll retain his place. Wallace has been back in training, so should replace Hodson at left back. That aside, it would seem Morelos has done enough to be first choice up front. The approach to every game so far this season has been to start quickly and try to go ahead early. That will definitely continue, as Rangers will hope to take advantage of any confidence issues Hearts may have.
PREDICTED STARTING XI
Foderingham
Tavernier
Cardoso
Alves
Wallace
Candeias
Jack
Dorrans
Windass
Miller
Morelos
Hopefully, the likes of Rossiter, Pena or Herrera will be able to get more game time, as all three require it.
MORE RANGERS STORIES
KEY BATTLES
JACK v DJOUM
Ryan Jack has made a great start to his Rangers career. The overturned red card is a real bonus going into the next few games as he already looks settled and hugely important. If you look at the goals we conceded after he went off last weekend, you can see just how much we missed him. In Djoum, he faces a player who can be excellent on his game, but is very inconsistent. Of the Hearts midfield, he’s the player who looks to get in support of the strikers and find the through balls. Jack’s ability to read the game and set the tempo will be tested by having to keep an eye on him.
CARDOSO v GONCALVES
It’s fair to say that Fabio Cardoso struggled a bit last weekend. He gave away a number of fouls and didn’t enjoy playing against the pace and movement of the Hibs strikers. Again, the loss of Ryan Jack was a real factor in that, but some of his decision making was erratic at best. Whilst many will be looking forward to seeing Lafferty against Alves, I suspect the main danger for Hearts will come from Goncalves. He’s a hard working, strong and quick player who would be playing at a higher level if he could find consistency and goals more often. If he finds some space to turn and run at our backline, he’ll be a threat.
MORELOS v BERRA
Morelos started the game last weekend excellently. Not only did he open the scoring, but his all-round play gave the Hibs defence some problems. His harsh booking and the fact Hibs were getting away with fouling him often blunted that as the game wore on. He looks more than capable, and certainly has a great attitude. If our strategy of starting games quickly and getting in front is to work long term, his goalscoring ability will be key. In Berra, he’s up against a very experienced defender. He’ll know every trick in the book and has faced players of high ability and done well in games in the past. If Rangers can win the midfield battle, there’s a chance Morelos will be able to get up against Berra 1v1, where he’ll fancy his chances.
In terms of a prediction, I have a feeling we’ll win 3-0, after a quick start. As capable as Hearts are, they’re in a bit of limbo given the managerial situation, and lack direction. Much like last weekend though, we face a capable side and we need luck and a good performance to win.