[monks data]

Scottish Championship

Nov 22, 2014 at 12.45pm UK

Hearts
2-0
Rangers Rangers

Holt (56'), Walker (88' pen.)

FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Hearts vs. Rangers

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 20 November 2014

Sports Mole previews the clash between the Scottish Championship's top two as league leaders Hearts take on Glasgow giants Rangers.

Rangers can move to within three points of Scottish Championship leaders Hearts with victory on Saturday.

Robbie Neilson's side are six points clear of the Glasgow giants following an 11-match unbeaten run since the start of the season.

They continued their impressive form with an away win at Falkirk last weekend, when Rangers were held 1-1 at home by eighth-placed Alloa Athletic.

Ally McCoist's side are finding goals as easy to come by as Hearts - with both having scored 35 in the league this season - but the concession of sloppy ones at the other end has cost them on several occasions.

They had taken a second-half lead through captain Lee McCulloch at Ibrox, but fell asleep to allow Alloa to equalise six minutes later.

It was a similar story against Hearts on the opening day of the season, when Osman Sow netted straight from kickoff to snatch the Jambos three points after Nicky Law had levelled the scores in stoppage time.

Sow is the Edinburgh club's top scorer this campaign with seven goals in 10 starts. However, injury rules him out this weekend and therefore Soufian El Hassnaoui will likely deputise in attack again.

Captain Danny Wilson is also struggling with injury and may be denied the chance to face his boyhood club.

The home side could make just one change, with midfield regular Sam Nicholson replacing Miguel Pallardo. Callum Paterson serves the last game of a three-match ban for his sending-off against Hibernian.

Richard Foster faces a late fitness test after being forced off against Alloa, so French defender Sebastien Faure is on standby for a first Gers start of the season at Tynecastle.

McCoist has been fairly consistent in his team selections all year and thus Kris Boyd will probably maintain his place alongside Kenny Miller up front, despite having only two league goals to his name this term.

Hearts:

Recent form: WWWDWW

Possible starting lineup: Alexander; McHattie, Alim Ozturk, McKay, McGhee; Gomis, King, Nicholson, Buaben; Walker, El Hassnaoui

Rangers:

Form in Scottish Championship: WWWWWD
Form in all competitions: WWWWWD

Possible starting lineup: Simonsen; Foster, McGregor, McCulloch, Smith; Templeton, Black, Law, Macleod; Boyd, Miller

Sports Mole says: 2-1