Hearts` match with Rangers at Tynecastle tomorrow is arguably their most important in the SPL since they clinched a place in the Champions League back in 2006 with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen. On that occasion, a Paul Hartley penalty settled a nervy affair to ensure that Hearts would be the first club to split the Old Firm in more than a decade. A similar result tomorrow would see Jim Jefferies` current side laying down a marker in their bid to do at least as well in 2011.
As we discussed earlier in the week, if anyone is thinking in terms of Hearts being an outside bet for winning the championship this season, then tomorrow`s match really does fall into the ‘must win` category, as do probably the next couple of games after that. Certainly anything less than four points from the next two games and I think we can pretty much forget about having those sort of aspirations this year, although finishing second would not be out of the question at that stage.
Regardless of realistic end-of-season targets though, Hearts will be looking to win tomorrow`s game to continue their fantastic recent run of league results, and it will be very interesting to see how both sides approach it. Will Rangers adopt a fairly defensive formation and look to intimidate their opponents physically in the opening half hour as they recently did to good effect against Kilmarnock? I can see the latter happening, and Hearts will be hoping for a very strong refereeing performance if that does turn out to be the case, although I won`t be holding my breath on that one. History tells us to expect the worst there but I`m open to being pleasantly surprised!
As for Hearts, well, we really have to hope that both Rudi Skacel and Kevin Kyle are fit enough to play, particularly Skacel who seems to be the catalyst for all things positive in the side. Kyle has a major influence too in many ways, although the one down side to his presence in the team is the tendency for the defenders to lose imagination when in possession, with the result being countless high balls from back to front, which is what happened in the recent cup tie against St Johnstone. But I`m hoping that both guys are in the starting line-up and that Rangers focus their attentions on David Templeton, because I can see that opening up some space elsewhere for the likes of Skacel, Wallace and possibly Black to exploit for us. It may also result in a few early bookings for Rangers players, although once again that will depend a lot upon the nature of the officiating tomorrow.
It`s brilliant having a game where the stakes are as high as they are to look forward to at this stage of the season, and it really would be great if Hearts could win to keep the run going. They certainly have nothing to fear from a Rangers team who have rarely been above average for probably the past 6-7 years now. Hearts have always been able to beat the Old Firm clubs in one-off games at home, and while it`s their away form that has been the most impressive so far this season, what better time to turn our spiritual home into ‘Fortress Tynecastle` once again?! Go for it, guys??..
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‘Mon the Hearts. That is all. No predictions, no speculations, just cautious optimism and lots of good wishes for our maroon heroes tomorrow.
A real biggie, as you say. With the rejuvenated Dons at Parkhead, there’s a realistic chance of Celtic dropping 2 or 3 points – so a Hearts win would indeed be massive in terms of closing the gap. I think having Lee Wallace back in the side (with a game under his belt) is a big plus for us going into this match. Fingers crossed !!
Well done to you all for today’s result but I tend to disagree about the hun match being your biggest since 2006 as you were at home against a poor hun side …….. your biggest stumbling block will be trying to secure points in Glasgow and the acid test comes for you on Wednesday evening at Celtic Park ……. if you win that one then you’ll be taken seriously and I’ll freely admit that the current Hearts team are capable of taking points from an equally poor Celtic team even in Glasgow …. but do you have what it takes to win the big matches in Glasgow …………? anyway ,, without meaning to sound condescending I both welcome & admire your challenge and wish you all well in your quest ….. good luck to you ………!!!