Rangers go into this weekend’s match with Hearts knowing that they may have to win to regain top spot in the Scottish Premiership.
Just like old times – it’s incredibly tight at the top.
Celtic, who face the challenge of Ross County on Saturday, can reclaim top spot with a victory, for at least the best part of 24 hours.
Rangers are scheduled to travel to Tynecastle on Sunday and will be hoping to prove they have the mettle to sustain a title challenge against our biggest rivals this season.
It’s perhaps pretty poignant that the Ibrox club will begin their defence of top spot at the ground where they gained it for the first time since the financial farce of 2012 last season.
It was a lead at the top that Steven Gerrard’s side failed to sustain and the pressure of leading the pack eventually told.
This time around, it feels different, but the club’s players must do their talking on the pitch.
Underperforming Hearts – the side who sit ninth with one win in the league all season – shouldn’t be underestimated.
As per always, the other clubs in the league will raise their game against the Old Firm and Rangers must respect that this one will get tricky if they let it.
Controversial former Rangers star Steven Naismith is targeting a return in this match [BBC Scotland], with Hearts a very different proposition with the Scotland striker in the team.
Rangers have the depth, firepower and ability to really leave a mark in this one and it’ll be a big test of the Ibrox club’s bottle even at this early stage of the season.
Is this the side to consolidate top spot in the Scottish Premiership and show the club is serious about mounting a title challenge?
