GRAEME MURTY is going from Murray Park to Murrayfield and facing a tough task to return with three points.
Murty's previous spell as caretaker saw him win three, lose two and draw 1-1 at Celtic.
His final act before handing the reins to Pedro Caixinha was the highlight but his second spell in charge promises to be more problematic.
Rangers are arguably in a worst state now than when Mark Warburton left and Murty will be without the likes of Lee Wallace, Fabio Cardoso, Graham Dorrans, Ryan Jack and possibly Carlos Pena.
Hearts away is usually difficult – the Ibrox men have lost three of the last four at Tynecastle – but there will be a different atmosphere at the SRU HQ with up to 25,000 Rangers fans in attendance.
That will lift Murty's men and I'm putting faith in them at a best 6-5 with Marathonbet.
Hearts were poor in the 1-0 derby defeat at Hibs on Tuesday but generally have been harder to beat since Craig Levein replaced Ian Cathro.
At Murrayfield they've beaten St Johnstone 1-0 and drawn 0-0 with Aberdeen so under 2.5 goals looks a good shout at 5-4 with Marathonbet. Hearts are a best 13-5 at bet365 with the draw paying 13-5 with McBookie.
Their best chance of a goal will come from ex-Rangers hitman Kyle Lafferty who is 13-8 at bet365 to score and 13-2 at McBookie to break the deadlock.
A Rangers scorer? Kenny Miller has been recalled to the squad and has something to prove. He is 11-2 at bet365 to break the deadlock.
It was Killie who put the final nail in the Caixinha coffin on Wednesday with a 1-1 draw at Ibrox.
That was super start for new boss Steve Clarke who now takes his troops to Parkhead.
Celtic are aiming to make it a record 62 games without defeat but Brendan Rodgers will ring the changes with Bayern Munich in mind on Tuesday.
Bookies make the Hoops a best 1-8 and they've netted 14 in their last three at home to the Ayrshire men but it could be closer on this occasion.
It's difficult to find value until line-ups are revealed but Celtic and over 2.5 match goals looks about right at 2-5 with Betfred.
Scott Sinclair could start after missing the win at Aberdeen and if he starts back him at 17-4 with McBookie to score first.
Team of the moment Motherwell face Hibs in what could be the day's most entertaining clash.
Betfred Cup hero Louis Moult will return after being rested for the win at Dundee on Wednesday and is 8-5 at bet365 to score and 5-1 to strike first.
Four of the last five meetings at Fir Park have gone over 3.5 goals and another is possible if both sides play to their potential. It pays 12-5 at BetBright while over 2.5 is good value at evens with Marathonbet.
Hibs have performed well recently against Hearts and Celtic twice and this game has the feel of a score draw at 15-4 with McBookie.
In the Championship the top game is St Mirren v Morton with the leaders aiming to avenge a 4-1 defeat at Cappielow.
The Buddies should win but a best 13-10 with Marathonbet is a little short for a derby. Four in a row in Paisley have saw both score – including three 1-1s – and that pays 10-13 at 188Bet.
League One leaders Raith have won seven out of eight and will be on plenty of accumulators at 4-9 with McBookie. They head for a Forfar side who have lost 5-0 at home to Ayr and Arbroath in recent weeks.
Take over 3.5 match goals at 6-4 with William Hill while Raith/over 3.5 is 2-1 at Ladbrokes.
And it's difficult to leave out hotshots Arbroath who are 13-10 with Marathonbet at East Fife.
Peterhead have hit 13 in two games and should sweep aside Annan in League Two. They are 7-10 with William Hill while the Blue Toon and over 2.5 match goals pays 5-4 at Ladbrokes.
Recommended Bets
- Rangers
- Moult to score
- Motherwell v Hibs over 2.5 match goals
- St Mirren v Morton both to score
- Forfar v Raith over 3.5 match goals
- Arbroath
- Peterhead & over 2.5 match goals
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
