Rangers legend calls on them to lay down Hearts marker as Tynecastle 'fist fight' match expected
The Jambos dominated the title race last season but were pipped by Celtic on the final day
Rangers icon Barry Ferguson would like to see his old side send a message to Hearts that third place will be as good as they’ll get in the Premiership this season.
The Ibrox side travel to Tynecastle tomorrow night for what will be manager Derek McInnes first time back in Gorgie since leaving Hearts for Rangers in the summer. His Jambos side were four minutes away from defying the odds and winning the league last season - but were defeated 3-1 by Celtic on a dramatic final day decider.
Under new boss, Wouter Vrancken, Hearts have enjoyed another strong start to the current campaign and currently sit third in the league, four points behind Rangers and eight adrift of leaders Celtic. While Ferguson acknowledges the achievements of the Gorgie side last season, he is also keen that Rangers make sure it’s a one-off - and he thinks a win on Wednesday night would ‘send a message’.
Ferguson calls on Rangers to lay down Tynecastle marker
In his Daily Record column, he wrote: “Hearts did Scottish football a massive favour last season. There’s no getting away from that fact. By taking the title fight all the way to the last day of the league season, they captured the imagination of people all around the world and what they almost achieved brought a spotlight on our game.
“And they deserved all the plaudits that came their way in the process. But, even so, when Rangers turn up at Tynecastle on Wednesday night Derek McInnes and his players will be looking to send out a very clear message: It’s not going to happen again. This season, third place is as good as it’s going to get. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think for a minute that it’s going to be easy.”
Hearts investor Tony Bloom’s title race ambitions extend far beyond last season. At the start of last season, he laid down a marker himself by saying he reckons Hearts would win a league ‘in the next 10 years’. Having split the Old Firm in year one, it’s fair to say that, with the help of data company Jamestown Analytics, the Jambos are on track.
Hostile atmosphere expected in grudge match
Hearts vs Rangers has always been a match which has carried a bit of needle in Scottish football, however this fixture might have a bit extra. Despite McInnes’ heroics last season, the circumstances in which he left Tynecastle for Ibrox in June are likely to lead to a frosty reception. Gers striker Lawrence Shankland and midfielder Cammy Devlin also left Hearts in the transfer window - but neither will play a part through injury.
Ferguson reckons the expected reception for the visitors will spark a test in their character. He added: “Bring it on. That’s exactly the way it should be whenever Rangers go there and it certainly won’t come as a surprise to the team or to the manager and his staff, of all people. They’ll know exactly what to expect and there will be times throughout the game when some of these players are going to have to stand tall.”
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