Hearts welcome Rangers to Tynecastle in the first of today’s two Premiership clashes – and both sides have confirmed their starting XIs ahead of the lunchtime kickoff in the capital.

The Jambos have a pretty decent record against Rangers in the capital recently and Robbie Neilson’s side will be looking for a massive three points this afternoon to keep them within touching distance of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s league leaders.

Hearts go into the game unbeaten in their last eight games at Tynecastle with Rangers have a 100% domestic record so far since van Bronckhorst’s appointment as Steven Gerrard’s replacement.

The Jambos currently sit five points behind second-placed Celtic in the Premiership table, having played a game more than the Parkhead side, and hold a five-point cushion to Motherwell – who play Celtic later this afternoon – in fourth.

The sides last met in October, playing out a 1-1 draw at Ibrox as Allan McGregor’s mistake at a corner allowed Craig Halkett to nod home a late equaliser and grab a share of the spoils for the Jam Tarts.

Before the game, Hearts will warm-up wearing special number 26 shirts in memory of Scottish Cup-winning skipper Mariusz Zaliukas, who tragically passed away from motor neurone disease in 2020 with Rangers making a similar gesture by warming sporting number 2 shirts in honour of former Ibrox captain Fernando Ricksen who died from MND in 2019 – while fans of both sides are being encouraged to donate to bucket collections at Tynecastle whilst supporters can donate £5 to MND Scotland by texting CUREMND to 70660.

Here are the confirmed starting XIs from Tynecastle ahead of Hearts v Rangers in the Scottish Premiership:

NTOF now offers a YouTube channel featuring exclusive interviews, post-match discussion, in-depth debate, and much more – LIKE and SUBSCRIBE and don’t miss any of our videos.

Have something to tell us about this article?