Hearts manager Neil Critchley is weary of a wounded Rangers making the trip to Tynecastle.
But with the Jambos unbeaten in eight and climbing up the Scottish Premiership table, Philippe Clement faces a big task to escape Gorgie with all three points.
On top of that, the Rangers manager doesn’t have his injury problems to seek heading into this match, but neither do Hearts and Neil Critchley.
Speaking ahead of the game, Critchley revealed one Hearts star is on the mend ahead of the game as they look to land a blow on the Rangers boss.
But the Jambos also face a nervous wait on the availability of an ‘integral’ player.
Hearts face injury sweat ahead of Rangers visit
Neil Critchley has revealed that Lewis Neilson is back in Hearts training ahead of the visit of Rangers after suffering a dead leg.
But the Hearts manager also revealed that the Edinburgh side face a nervous wait over the fitness of Australian midfielder Cammy Devlin.
Devlin has been a key player in Hearts’ recent resurgence but went off in the penalty kicks Scottish Cup win over St Mirren with concussion.
”Cammy (Devlin) is just going through the concussion protocol now, which you have to follow,” said Critchley.
“So that’s so far, so good. He’s not had any setbacks from that.
”So we’ll just hopefully follow that and if that is the case then he’ll make Sunday.”
Devlin went off around the hour mark against St Mirren and Critchley has explained that so far the 26-year-old has come through the protocols unscathed.
The Hearts manager went into greater detail about the situation and suggested the player is in line to return v the Gers.
”You have to follow (the protocol),” explained Critchley.
”Like obviously there’s a bit where you do a little bit on the bike and then you start to progress.
“Then you start to come on to the pitch and do a bit of running, semi-opposed stuff and then opposed.
”Like I say, he’s coming through that and if he does carry on with no setbacks then that means he will train tomorrow and be available.”
‘Integral’ Cammy Devlin could be thrown into Hearts team
Cammy Devlin is a player Rangers will be well familiar with having faced off against the Hearts midfielder several times.
Neil Critchley has waxed lyrical about the player and branded him one of the Jambos’ ‘top performers’ this season.
Critchley has also claimed he would have no issue throwing the midfielder straight into the team despite the knock against St Mirren.
”He’s played a lot of football recently,” said Critchley.
”So him missing a few days of training wouldn’t be a massive red flag to him.
”He’s been a really important member of our team, integral to what we’ve been doing.
“I think he’s been a top performer so we’re obviously hopeful that he makes it.”
