"They are very much a team performing well and getting results. The one concern I have about them and I have said this prior, they are very reliant on Lawrence Shankland. He has been in terrific form and that is an area hopefully in time with stability that they can continue to improve and bring more goals, and more support in the team in that area. But they are in good shape and good form. They have shown recently the ability to come from behind so they should go into the game with real confidence.”"They are very much a team performing well and getting results. The one concern I have about them and I have said this prior, they are very reliant on Lawrence Shankland. He has been in terrific form and that is an area hopefully in time with stability that they can continue to improve and bring more goals, and more support in the team in that area. But they are in good shape and good form. They have shown recently the ability to come from behind so they should go into the game with real confidence.”
"They are very much a team performing well and getting results. The one concern I have about them and I have said this prior, they are very reliant on Lawrence Shankland. He has been in terrific form and that is an area hopefully in time with stability that they can continue to improve and bring more goals, and more support in the team in that area. But they are in good shape and good form. They have shown recently the ability to come from behind so they should go into the game with real confidence.” | SNS Group

9 pundits make Hearts vs Rangers predictions as former Celtic star and Hibs hero have the same Jambos feeling

By Ben Banks

Senior Football Writer

Published 20th Apr 2024, 19:00 BST
Updated 21st Apr 2024, 08:22 BST

Hearts meet Rangers this Sunday with former pros at rival clubs like Celtic and Hibs fancying Steven Naismith’s side.

The pundits have had their say on which way they think Hearts vs Rangers is going to go this Sunday at Hampden Park.

Steven Naismith's side are coming into the game with momentum as their third place bid in the Premiership looks signed and sealed. The head coach would love to wrap the season up with more silverware and Sunday presents a chance to go one step closer to that goal.

In order to make the showpiece clash in May against Celtic, they'll have to get past Rangers, who they have never defeated at the national stadium. There's optimism in the punditry quarters too, with a former Celtic striker leaning maroon and even a Hibs hero reckons it will be a day for Hearts to remember in Mount Florida.

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Here are what nine former players think about the semi-final and how the game could look.

"It will be a tough game but I think it showed at the weekend that if you do the right things against them and they have an off day, they are beatable. It’s massive, I think Hearts have had a good tradition with the Scottish Cup. If the players want to become club legends they probably need to win a major trophy. If they beat Rangers, they will be in the final and have an opportunity to do that. I have good faith in the manager and the players, and I hope they can do it. It will be a tough game. I think if Hearts play well and you have Lawrence Shankland who will always be a goal threat, I think they will have a good chance."

5. Jamie Walker

"It will be a tough game but I think it showed at the weekend that if you do the right things against them and they have an off day, they are beatable. It’s massive, I think Hearts have had a good tradition with the Scottish Cup. If the players want to become club legends they probably need to win a major trophy. If they beat Rangers, they will be in the final and have an opportunity to do that. I have good faith in the manager and the players, and I hope they can do it. It will be a tough game. I think if Hearts play well and you have Lawrence Shankland who will always be a goal threat, I think they will have a good chance." Photo: George Wood

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"All the pressure is on Rangers. Hearts can go into this feeling confident. Playing with a freedom. I couldn't call this one, I think it will be a tight game. It's going to be a really close game. I think Rangers will just shade it."

6. Lee MIller

"All the pressure is on Rangers. Hearts can go into this feeling confident. Playing with a freedom. I couldn't call this one, I think it will be a tight game. It's going to be a really close game. I think Rangers will just shade it." Photo: Alan Harvey - SNS Group

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"Lawrence Shankland is the one everyone looks to as being Hearts’ biggest weapon at Hampden. But, as I see it, Jorge Grant can be massive. So too Barrie McKay, Alan Forrest, Kenneth Vargas. If I’m a Hearts player, I’d be smelling blood as I’m sitting watching Rangers against Dundee. And Steven Naismith is no better man to have for this semi-final situation. "Sunday cannot come quickly enough because I’m sure every single Hearts player would have looked at that Rangers performance against Ross County last weekend and taken something from it. Losing on Sunday would be such a downer, but, if Hearts can exploit Rangers' weaknesses just as County did, victory is there for the taking."

7. Ryan Stevenson

"Lawrence Shankland is the one everyone looks to as being Hearts’ biggest weapon at Hampden. But, as I see it, Jorge Grant can be massive. So too Barrie McKay, Alan Forrest, Kenneth Vargas. If I’m a Hearts player, I’d be smelling blood as I’m sitting watching Rangers against Dundee. And Steven Naismith is no better man to have for this semi-final situation. "Sunday cannot come quickly enough because I’m sure every single Hearts player would have looked at that Rangers performance against Ross County last weekend and taken something from it. Losing on Sunday would be such a downer, but, if Hearts can exploit Rangers' weaknesses just as County did, victory is there for the taking." | SNS Group

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"Hearts are obviously in a good vein of form. They have some good players and it will be a tough one for Rangers on Sunday."

8. Barry Ferguson

"Hearts are obviously in a good vein of form. They have some good players and it will be a tough one for Rangers on Sunday." | Getty Images

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