Last updated & checked: 10/08/2021
This should be an entertaining clash on Sunday afternoon at Ibrox, with Rangers welcoming in-form Heart of Midlothian to Govan. Hearts have climbed to the top of the Scottish Premiership table, having won six and drawn one of the seven league games so far this season. The key question in Scottish football right now is whether or not they can sustain that form. If they are serious about challenging for the title, Hearts have to show that they can beat the Old Firm in Glasgow. This game gives them the ideal opportunity. Rangers lost 1-0 away at Livingston last weekend, and will surely be tired after their midweek exertions in Europe. It is up to Hearts to show that they deserve to be at the top of the table.
Rangers vs Hearts Prediction: Rangers 1-1 Hearts
Hearts gaffer Craig Levein has stated this week that he is confident his team can go to Ibrox and take points off Rangers. His confidence is not misplaced either, as Hearts have been the form team so far of the Scottish Premiership season. Indeed, many Jambos fans would probably be disappointed with a draw.
Going to Ibrox is never easy, though, and Gers boss Steven Gerrard seems to be building a good side in Govan this season. But Hearts have the quality to take at least a point from the Glaswegians, so we anticipate a 1-1 scoreline.
Our recommended tip: 1-1 draw
Our predicted outcome for this game is that it will be a hard-fought 1-1 draw. If you head over to William Hill, you can see that they are offering odds of 6/1 on that prediction turning out to be accurate. Home advantage is always important for Rangers, and teams from outside Glasgow have a hard time winning at Ibrox. Hearts are certainly the best team in Scotland at the moment, but they need to show they can sustain their current fine form. Rangers will offer the Jambos a real test, but we anticipate the honours will be shared between Glasgow and Edinburgh on Sunday.
Previous matches
These two teams met on four occasions in the Scottish Premiership last season. Three of those games were at Ibrox, where Rangers picked up a draw and two wins. The game at Tynecastle was also won by Rangers. The last of those meetings came after the league split in Scotland, and was at Ibrox in April this year. The Gers won the game 2-1, with all of the match’s goals coming in the second half. Jason Cummings and Daniel Candeias scored for Rangers in the 47 and 64th minutes, before Christophe Berra hit back for Hearts in the 71st minute.
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Players to watch: Alfredo Morelos & Steven Naismith
Alfredo Morelos has found some form for Rangers this season. The Colombian international forward had a great game in the 3-1 win over Rapid Vienna in midweek, scoring twice and winning a penalty which was converted by James Tavernier. He has now scored eight goals in all competitions this season, with two of those coming in the league, four in the League Cup and two in Europe. He will want to continue his good form on Sunday.
Hearts striker Steven Naismith, a former Rangers player, has been enjoying something of an Indian summer in his career this season. He has scored nine goals in all competitions for the Jambos in 2018/19, with five of those coming in the Premiership. That form has earned him a recall to the Scotland squad, and it would be unwise to bet against him scoring against one of his former clubs at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon.
