How to watch Hearts vs Rangers: TV channel, live stream, referee and VAR for Derek McInnes' Gorgie return
Everything you need to know ahead of the Premiership midweek clash
Hearts host Rangers this week in the Scottish Premiership in a match that will mark Derek McInnes’ return to Tynecastle.
The Jambos earned a much-needed 2-0 victory away to Motherwell in their last league encounter and now gear up to face their Glasgow rivals. In a fixture which already has a bit of needle, a hostile reception is expected for Rangers and McInnes after he left Gorgie for Govan in June. The former Hearts boss was minutes away from steering them to a historic title victory last season - but after joining a rival, a hero’s welcome on his return is far from likely.
The match will also mark the first time Hearts boss Wouter Vrancken meets the man he replaced. The weekend win at Fir Park was the Jambos’ first triumph outside of Edinburgh since January. Hearts sit third in the Premiership table and now have some breathing space on the pack beneath them, four points ahead of fourth-placed Dundee United.
Rangers also prevailed at the weekend as they thrashed St Johnstone 4-0 at home. They head to Tynecastle currently occupying second place, four points ahead of Hearts and four adrift of leaders Celtic. Ibrox striker Lawrence Shankland and midfielder Cammy Devlin also joined from Hearts in January, but neither will be available through injury.
The midweek grudge match has been selected for television broadcast. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch Hearts vs Rangers, as well as some other useful match information:
Where and when will Hearts vs Rangers take place?
The match will take place at Tynecastle Park on Wednesday, October 28. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm (GMT).
Will Hearts vs Rangers be broadcast live on television?
Yes, the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage will start half an hour before kick-off.
Can I live stream Hearts vs Rangers?
Yes, Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match via the Sky Go app. Non-subscribers can purchase a Sky Sports day pass from Now TV for £14.99.
Who is the referee and VAR for Hearts vs Rangers?
Don Robertson is the match referee. His assistant referees are Ross MacLeod and Calum Spence, while Colin Steven will be the fourth official. At Clydesdale House, Matthew MacDermid is on VAR duty, assisted by Peter Stuart.
What have Hearts said ahead of the Rangers clash?
Hearts striker Claudio Braga doesn’t have any ill-will towards McInnes for leaving in the summer - but also isn’t expecting the Tynecastle faithful to role out the red carpet for the Rangers boss. He said: “I really like Derek. I have nothing bad to say about him, Shanks (Shankland) or Cammy (Devlin). So, of course, it will be good to face them in a way, but I have nothing but love for them.
“And I couldn't just hate them just because they left the club. That's what a football player professionally needs to do. And that's their choice. I just could never judge that. But, I believe it will be a strong atmosphere for them. And that it was their choice. So now, of course, they have the consequences.”
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