Stephen Kingsley names the Hearts factor creating a career first as 'something special' eyed against Rangers

Stephen Kingsley insists Hearts have their eyes on a special day against Rangers -as the Tynecastle dressing room provides him with a career first.

Derek McInnes’ side host the Light Blues this Sunday, who after a tough first half of the season so far, have started to pick up domestic results under new head coach Danny Rohl. Hearts are top of the Premiership with a six-point margin and are closing in on being first for Christmas after away victories over second-placed Celtic and Falkirk.

Kingsley has been at Hearts since 2020 but insists the current dressing room has been the best he’s been part of in terms of how quickly the group have come together. Having already achieved a win against Rangers in Govan this season, a big win in Gorgie over the Ibrox side is now on Kingsley’s radar.

Hearts vs Rangers verdict

The left-back - who could return to the starting XI with Harry Milne suspended - said after defeating Falkirk: “When you look at the form Rangers and Celtic are in just now, it's difficult for them. It’s up to us, we're in a position now where we're on a good run and we're sitting top of the table and it's amazing. It does give you that confidence that you're going into any game knowing that you can win.

“We were like that before, but to actually go and back it up and show it is a different story. That was the first time I beat Rangers in my time at Hearts. That breeds confidence, and obviously getting them at Tynecastle now, we'll be going into it with a right belief that we can go and do something special.

“It's been great just to be on that run. It doesn't happen often in your career where you go through a period of results that are so positive and you're getting the plaudits and everything. You need to ride that wave and you need to take advantage of it. It's been a great start to the season. We've got a hard few games coming up but we're in a good position now, so hopefully we can go into them with confidence.

“We have a good squad. It's a stronger squad in terms of whole squad than what I've had here at Hearts before. We've had good teams but in terms of the strength and depth that we've got this year is great. It’s such an enjoyable dressing room. Obviously results help with that. When you're winning games of football the atmosphere is so good and such a healthy dressing room to be a part of.

Stephen Kingsley goal vs Falkirk

“In terms of the personalities that we've got in the changing room, it is the best I've had in terms of the way everyone's gelled together. Everyone is fighting for each other. It's a great squad. It's not just 11 boys that go into the park. Everyone's pulling for each other and striving towards the same goal to go and do something special this season, whether it's leagues, cups, whatever that may be.

“That's what gets you through these games. When the conditions are blustery, and you're trying to play and you're trying to work your way into the game. Having that togetherness and team spirit and that confidence in knowing that you stick to your principles and you know what’s going to work, you're going to get the result. It's important to get back to those winning ways. It was a massive game to back up last week and hopefully the big game's coming up, we're in a good position to win them.”

The game in Falkirk was won 2-0, the winner coming through a Kingsley rocket, firing home from outside the box after Claudio Braga put Hearts ahead after a minute. Kingsley added: “Delighted to go on and I knew the kind of role that the manager was wanting me to play. Just be solid, and try and keep that bit of control, and get fresh legs on that side. So it was good to get on and it was such hard conditions that I felt like I was keeping things simple and everything. So just delighted to go in and make a wee impact and get a goal and give us that kind of comfort blanket.

“My first touch took it away from the defender. I knew he was coming across and I think the way it just kind of bounced in front of me, it was very inviting just to go and have a crack. I think it was one of them, if you get on target with the conditions, you'd never kind of know what way the ball's going to go and we've seen in the warm-up, and we were practising that, the ball was going here, there, and everywhere.”