Rangers v Hearts: Match preview and probable line-ups

Hearts travel to Ibrox to take on a Rangers side embroiled in turmoil after last weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic at Hampden.
Joaquim Adao will be a key player for Hearts at Ibrox on Sunday. Picture: SNS GroupJoaquim Adao will be a key player for Hearts at Ibrox on Sunday. Picture: SNS Group
Joaquim Adao will be a key player for Hearts at Ibrox on Sunday. Picture: SNS Group

Craig Levein can call on a near-full squad for the trip to Govan, with Arnaud Djoum, Jamie Brandon and Demetri Mitchell the only players who definitely won’t play a part.

Christophe Berra has warned his team not to be “fooled” by Rangers’ problems but the Jambos will take to the Ibrox pitch hoping to kickstart their post-split fixtures with a win.

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Midfield youngsters Harry Cochrane and Anthony McDonald both signed new deals this week but neither are expected to start for Hearts at Ibrox.

Levein is expected to retain a midfield four of Connor Randall, Joaquim Adao, Michael Smith and Marcus Godinho, with Steven Naismith and David Milinkovic just behind Kyle Lafferty in attack.

Berra, Aaron Hughes and John Souttar will form the back three in front of Jon McLaughlin.

In terms of injuries, Rangers are only missing the Hamburg-bound David Bates, and Ryan Jack, and Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace have been suspended by the club and won’t play any part in the fixture.

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Bruno Alves is likely to partner Russell Martin in defence allowing Ross McCrorie to move into defensive midfield alongside Greg Docherty, with Andy Halliday unlikely to start after his first-half substitution against Celtic.

Josh Windass, who replaced Halliday, could start in place of Graham Dorrans.

Last five meetings: Rangers 2-0 Hearts; Hearts 1-3 Rangers; Rangers 0-0 Hearts; Rangers 2-1 Hearts; Hearts 4-1 Rangers.

Likely Rangers team (4-2-3-1): Foderingham; Tavernier, Martin, Alves, John; McCrorie, Docherty; Candeias, Windass, Murphy; Morelos. Subs from: Alnwick, Hodson, Dorrans, Halliday, Goss, Holt, Cummings, O’Halloran.

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Likely Hearts team: (3-4-2-1): McLaughlin; Souttar, Hughes, Berra; Randall, Adao, M Smith, Godinho; Milinkovic, Naismith; Lafferty. Subs from: J Hamilton, C Hamilton, McDonald, Cowie, Callachan, Cochrane, Buaben, Amankwaa, Irving, Henderson, Moore.

Referee: Craig Thomson

Kick-off: 12.30pm

Odds: Rangers 1/2 Draw 7/2 Hearts 7/1 (Odds correct at the time of writing)