Derek McInnes believes midfield duo, Beni Baningime, and Calem Nieuwenof, are “close to” being in contention for a place in the squad to face Rangers at Tynecastle on Sunday (kick-off 12.30).

The William Hill Premiership pace-setters also received a bonus ahead of the game as Dundee United came from 1-0 down to edge Celtic at Tannadice on Wednesday.

It was The Bhoys fourth straight defeat, piling pressure on new manager, Wilfred Nancy, and the nil return for Celtic in midweek means a six-point gap exists between the Jambos and the Parkhead side going into this weekend.

Hearts have 38 points from 17 starts. Celtic have 32 points from 16 outings, but the Jambos can’t afford to slip-up here with a trip across the city to face fifth-placed Hibs looming on Saturday, December 27 (12.30).

Last weekend’s 2-0 win at rain and wind-lashed Falkirk saw Hearts win back-to-back after two straight draws and a defeat. Rangers go into the game unbeaten in their last five with three wins and two draws on their record.

The Ibrox men have 29 points from 16 outings, but they have only scored 23 goals so far in the league. Hearts have netted on 34 occasions.

Both teams have only conceded 13 goals and the Jambos rearguard will look to bring their A game to Tynecastle as Danny Rohl has more than doubled Rangers’ goals scored since taking over from Russell Martin on October 20.

Rangers counted on only six occasions in seven games under Martin but have scored 15 goals in eight fixtures with the German at the helm, a significant movement.

Rohl has also improved the Ibrox men at both ends of the pitch and the club have appointed Stig Inge Bjornebye as a football consultant and advisor for an initial period of six months.

The visitors go into the Gorgie game after edging Hibs 1-0 at Ibrox on Monday, taking Rangers’ unbeaten league run to eight games since Rohl moved into the hot seat.

The last time Hearts met Rangers was at Ibrox on Saturday, September 13. Lawrence Shankland made the difference on Matchday Five of 33 with a double after 21 and 82 minutes.

How Jambos fans would love to secure a double over the men from Govan on Sunday in front of their own fans at a packed Tynecastle.

Looking ahead, winger Islam Chesnokov is due to arrive after Christmas to allow him time to train with the club while his paperwork goes through.

McInnes (pictured) has an eye on giving the Kazakhstan-born player his debut against Livingston at Tynecastle on Saturday, January 3.