Hearts aiming high in Ibrox clash

Hearts head for Ibrox on Saturday (kick-off 15.00) and statistics show that Rangers have won four of the last five games between the cinch Premiership rivals. There has been one draw.

Rangers are on a high having climbed to the summit of the 12-strong table with last weekend’s win at St Johnstone. The men from Govan have 64 points from their 26 games, an impressive record which includes 21 wins, one draw and four defeats.

The Gers have scored 56 goals and lost a miserly 13 during that spell and they now head Old Firm rivals Celtic by two points. Celtic have also played 26 games.

Hearts are third with 51 points from 26 games. They have won 16 fxtures, drawn three and lost seven and have scored 35 goals and shipped 22.

Even Ibrox Noise admitted that the Gorgie team’s form since they lost 2-1 to Aberdeen at Pittodrie on December 9 is “frightening”.

That run of 12 matches includes 11 wins, including Saturday’s hard-earned 2-0 victory over a physical Motherwell side at Tynecastle, and one draw.

And, of course, during that run the Jambos travelled to Parkhead and recorded a 2-0 win over The Hoops on December 16, a significant result and a massive confidence boost.

Former Ibrox old boy, Steven Naismith, has created a team capable of winning on the road and Rangers will not want to slip-up here.

They will also have taken note of razor-sharp Lawrence Shankland’s form and the Glagsow-born striker’s goal against The Steelmen, ghosting into the box to latch onto a free-kick from Alan Forrest to break the deadlock last Saturday.

Ibrox Noise believe that snuffing out Shankland will sunff out Hearts as an attacking force. So, this is a massive test for Shankland and also both clubs. 

The clash is also the start of three huge matches for the Men in Maroon. After the trip to Glasgow, Hearts entertain Hibs on Wednedsay, February 28 (19.45) and then Celtic on Sunday, March 3 (noon) before their Scottish Gas, Scottish Cup, quarter-final at Greenock Morton on Monday, March 11 (19.45). 

Meanwhile, the Cappielow club have confirmed that capacity of their ground for the tie against Hearts is just over 8,500. The match is also on BBC Scotland. 

PICTURE: Action from Hearts v Motherwell by David Mollison