Hearts v Rangers referee named along with VAR team
Premiership match at Tynecastle will be in hostile atmosphere
The Scottish Football Association have named the referee for Wednesday’s eagerly-anticipated Premiership meeting between Hearts and Rangers at Tynecastle Park. The governing body appointed Don Robertson to take charge of the match as Derek McInnes returns to Gorgie for the first time since leaving for Ibrox in the summer.
Robertson will be assisted by Ross McLeod and Calum Spence on the touchlines. The main VAR official is Matthew MacDermid and the assistant VAR on the night will be Peter Stuart. All of the officials involved can expect a high-octane occasion with plenty of incidents as second visits third in the Scottish top flight.
The match takes on added significance following McInnes’ departure from Hearts in June. Along with coaches Paul Sheerin and Alan Archibald, the manager left to take charge of Rangers whilst the Edinburgh club were still reeling from the departure of captain Lawrence Shankland to Ibrox for free. McInnes led Hearts to within moments of the league title last season and Robertson was in charge as they lost out to Celtic on the final day. They finished second and entered the Champions League qualifying rounds for the first time in 20 years.
Midfielder Cammy Devlin followed McInnes and Shankland from Tynecastle to Ibrox as three of Hearts’ main figures from last term moved to a rival club. Both Devlin and Shankland are injured right now and won’t be available to play on Wednesday night. McInnes will be in the away technical area for the first time and will find himself up against his Hearts successor, Wouter Vrancken.
McInnes gave his thoughts on the clash with Hearts at the weekend after Rangers’ 4-0 home win over St Johnstone. “I think what we have to concentrate on is the game,” he said. “Obviously, there's going to be a lot made going back there. But Hearts have got such a strong home record. We went last season unbeaten at home, and there's a reason for that.
“Tynecastle is brilliant for getting behind the team, and it's a tough venue for any team to go to, at the best of times. So, once the game starts, it's all about the game, and we just need to make sure we bring a big performance. I look forward to the challenge. Obviously, it's a big week for us. We said that ahead of this game. We've dealt with the first part, and we've got two tough games ahead of us.
“There are certain fixtures that are a bit more difficult than others, throughout the league campaign, so Hearts away midweek, is always one you would say, is fraught with difficulty. But I think equally as well, we've got to go there confident, that we're in decent form, knowing that we've got performance in us that can win the game.”
Tynecastle will be packed for the game as Hearts fans look to inspire their team to another victory after Sunday’s 2-0 win at Motherwell. Vrancken’s team then take on Hibs in Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden Park. Rangers face Aberdeen in the other semi-final the previous day.