RANGERS will look to build on their improved showing in Piraeus in the Europa League on Thursday night as they welcome Hearts to Ibrox on Sunday teatime.
Phillipe Clement’s men followed up their 4-0 thrashing of FCSB on MD3 by going to Greece and coming from a goal down to draw 1-1 away to reigning Conference League holders to move them into 10th position in the new league phase of the Europa League, just two points outside the top eight.
That improved 90-minute performance came after a much better second half against Motherwell at Hampden last Sunday, as they secured their passage into the League Cup final against bitter-rivals Celtic by coming from a goal down to win 2-1.
However, Rangers currently sit nine points off both Aberdeen and Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table following their 2-1 loss at Aberdeen last Wednesday on a night where all three of my selections landed.
Hearts were also in European action on Thursday night – and despite an impressive first half performance – saw their unbeaten start to their Conference League campaign come to an end as they were beaten 0-2 at home to Bundesliga side Heidenheim.
New Jambos head coach Neil Critchley has picked up seven points across his opening four Premiership matches in charge of the Gorgie club (W2-D1-L1), with their 1-2 victory away at St Johnstone last weekend moving them off the foot of the league table, a point above Edinburgh rivals Hibs.
How the bookies view it: Gers clear favourites
Unsurprisingly, The Gers are clear favourites to make it six wins from sid in the Premiership at home, as they are 2/5 at the likes of Bet365 to claim all three points.
The Jambos are priced at 7/1 to claim back-to-back league away wins for the first time since February, whilst the draw trading at 4/1.
Head to head: Rangers Dominance of late
Perhaps a little surprisingly, Rangers are unbeaten in each of their past 16 meetings with The Jambos (W12-D4-L0), winning both Premiership meetings at Ibrox last season.
However, the last two meetings have finished in a draw, including a goalless draw on the opening match of the season.
Players to watch: Cerny to continue to score
Czechia winger Vaclav Cerny has been Rangers’ most dangerous player the last month or so and has scored five goals in his last three appearances at Ibrox.
Lawrence Shankland has been linked with a move to Rangers in previous transfer windows but last season’s top-scorer in the Scottish top flight has remarkably got just one goal to his name so far this campaign.
Probable line-ups
Tom Lawrence was subbed off at Hampden last Sunday and will be out for 4-6 weeks. Skipper Jakes Tavernier was dropped to the bench but will likely start here. Ridvan Yilmaz was also on the bench for the first time since returning from injury on Thursday night and will likely be joined there by fit-again Danilo and Ianis Hagi.
Despite their defeat in Europe on Thursday night, Neil Critchley will be impressed by his sides performance – particularly in the first half – so may name a similar starting 11.
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Propper, Jefte, Barron, Raskin, Diomande, Bajrami, Cerny, Dessers
St Mirren: Gordon, Forrester, Kent, Kingsley, Penrice, Boateng, Baningime, Spittal, Vargas, Forrest, Shankland
Anything else catch the eye?”
Rangers should come into this clash with a bit more confident following on from an improved second half performance at Hampden last Sunday in the League Cup and their overall performance in Piraeus in Europe on Thursday night.
Whilst Rangers have struggled on their travels domestically this season, they have been just about faultless at home, winning each of their opening five Premiership matches in front of their supporters by an aggregate score of 13-2.
The Jambos have improved under new head coach Neil Critchley, but are winless in their last 16 meetings with Rangers (W0-D4-L12), and haven’t won at Ibrox since August 2014 when both sides were in the Championship.
To complete the bet builder, I’m happy to throw in both sides to be shown a card, a selection that has landed in 20/22 (91%) of the pair’s combined Premiership outings this season.
This Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Hearts will be played on Nov 10, 2024 and kick off at 17:00. Check below for our tipsters best Rangers vs Hearts prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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