RANGERS will be thinking about what might have been when they travel along the M8 for their final game of the season in the Premiership at third placed Hearts.
Celtic's win last week in the Old Firm and their midweek hammering of Kilmarnock sealed the title with one game to go and Rangers must be kicking themselves after blowing a lead.
Rangers looked like they would end the season with open anarchy in the stands of Ibrox after trailing 2-0 to Dundee in midweek, but in fairness to them, they roared back to win 5-2.
With the Scottish Cup Final and a chance of revenge against Celtic, along with a huge amount of injuries, Philippe Clement could easily turn to the kids here.
Hearts simply failed to turn up in two Hampden semi-finals against Rangers and will at least want to lay a glove on them as they prepare for guaranteed group stage European football next season.
They played their part in an entertaining 2-2 draw at St Mirren in midweek and will want to go out on a high in front of their fans in Gorgie.
How the bookies view it: Rangers solid with layers
Rangers are strong odds-on shots here to end an ultimately disappointing season on a high at 13/20 with bet365.
Hearts can be backed at 7/2, which has come in during the week and the draw is 16/5, all with bet365.
Recent head to heads: Rangers going for six in a row
Hearts' season has been spoiled by Rangers this season after losing all three league games and both national cup semi-finals at Hampden without laying a glove on them.
They've also lost their last five games at Tynecastle against them.
Players to watch: Shankland's milestone
Hearts captain and talisman Lawrence Shankland became the first Hearts player to score 30 goals in a season for them since 1988 when he netted in midweek at St Mirren. He's long been touted for a move to Rangers and is 6/4 to net in the capital with bet365.
Todd Cantwell took out his frustrations at being left on the bench in last week's Old Firm clash by scoring against Dundee in midweek. He will want to prove he deserves a place in the Scottish Cup Final and is 11/4 to score anytime with bet365.
Probable line-ups
Hearts will be without Calem Nieuwenhof, Craig Halkett and Peter Haring.
Rangers have a ton of injuries – John Souttar, Leon Balogun, Dujon Sterling, John Lundstram, and Tom Lawrence – were all missing in midweek after their Old Firm defence and they have plenty of players out for the season like Connor Goldson, Danilo and Ryan Jack.
Hearts: Gordon, Sibbick, Kent, Rowles, Lembikisa, Cochrane, Denholm, Devlin, Fraser, Forrest, Tagawa
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Davies, King, Ridvan, Raskin, Diomande, Cantwell, Silva, McCausland, Wright..
Anything else catch the eye?
Hearts will probably never get a better chance of beating an injury-ravaged and understrength Rangers and are worth backing at a big price.
Steven Naismith knows his side have not turned up against Rangers this season having twice beaten Celtic and will be determined to put that right.
With Rangers' injury problems as bad as they are, surely they won't risk their big names and the teamsheet will be key here.
Hearts will throw everything at Rangers here and although 4/6 is a tad skinny, bet365's price of the hosts winning over 4.5 corners looks absolutely nailed on.
This Scottish Premiership match between Hearts and Rangers will be played on May 18, 2024 and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Hearts vs Rangers prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
