Rangers should expect 'hostile' Hearts reception as pundit explains why Derek McInnes will be unfazed

Rangers boss Derek McInnes should expect a ‘hostile’ reception on his return to Hearts - but Ibrox hero Kevin Thomson doesn’t think he’s the type that unsettled.

The Light Blues’ trip to Tynecastle in the Premiership on Wednesday night will be the first time the boss has returned to Gorgie since he left Hearts for Rangers in June. Striker Lawrence Shankland and midfielder Cammy Devlin were also part of the Jambos’ title charge last season before making the trip to Ibrox in the summer, however, neither will be involved through injury.

A lot has been made of Rangers trying to dismantle a Hearts side who agonisingly lost out to Celtic by two points in the league last season following a 3-1 defeat to the Hoops on the final day. Tynecastle is known to be an intimidating place to go at the best of times - but Wednesday is expected to have that little bit extra needle. However, ex Rangers and Hibs midfielder Thomson thinks McInnes is experienced enough not to let it faze him.

Why won’t McInnes be fazed by ‘hostile’ Tynecastle?

Speaking on BBC Sounds’ Scottish Football Podcast, the pundit said: “I presume the Jambos will give them quite a hostile reception and I'm presuming probably if Lawrence (Shankland) had been fit and Cammy Devlin, the boys would probably be sitting in the stands. So I'm sure they'll not get the heroes welcome that they would’ve perhaps got if they stayed another season.

“But listen, that's just football. I quite like the kind of love-hate relationship at times. It's just the way it is. It's business. Unfortunately, for football and when you have opportunities to move to a bigger club and get bigger salaries and that's just, unfortunately, just the way the business works. So I don't think Derek will lose any sleep over it.”

Rangers lost two out of two at Tynecastle last season against McInnes’ Hearts. The Jambos remained undefeated at their own patch last season in the league and have carried that form into the current campaign. As the Ibrox side head there four points behind rivals Celtic, Thomson claims these are the games Rangers need to win if they have title ambitions.

Gorgie outing will ‘test’ Rangers’ title race credentials

Thomson continued: “I think he'll have loved his time at Hearts - but no doubt, but he'll be taking his team there to try and win, which will be difficult because I think Hearts are a really good team. I think, especially at Tynecastle, it's one of the best atmospheres that you can play in on away grounds.

“I think there's still loads of optimism (at Rangers). I think that's eight wins out of nine. We obviously did draw last week up at Dens (against Dundee) - but I think Rangers will be going to Tynecastle with their tails up and that will test their credentials. If they want to be that top of the table come May, then you need to go to places like Tynecastle and win.”

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