BBC pundits predict Rangers vs Hearts result amid ‘complacent’ verdict
Rangers are predicted to narrowly beat Hearts at the weekend but may be forced to play extra time due to the difficulty of taking on the same team twice in a week, according to Tam McManus and Lee McCulloch.
Speaking on PLZ Soccer’s Viaplay Cup preview on 2 November the pair of BBC pundits both suggested Philippe Clement’s side would come out on top and reach the final but amid the risk of becoming “complacent” the game isn’t tipped to be straight forward.
The Light Blues dug out a 2-1 victory at Ibrox in the SPFL meeting last weekend, overturning a one-goal deficit in the 90th minute and added time, and McManus feels it could be the same scoreline at Hampden on Sunday (5 November).
McCulloch predicted (28m 30s): “Rangers in extra time.”
McManus then added: “I wouldn’t be surprised by extra time but I think Rangers might win it 2-1. But they might win it in extra time.
“My thinking is it’s difficult to play a team back to back. I found that as a player, for the favourite, the team that’s won, I think the other team’s more motivated the next time they come up against you. I don’t if there’s any rhyme nae reason, I just think it’s hard to beat a team twice in a week.
“So I think it’ll be tight but I still think Rangers will win because they’ve got stronger strength in depth… The team that won might be a bit complacent.”
Opportunity
It is seen time and again in various sports that the victor in the first of a double header is lulled into a false sense of security and the loser makes adjustments to turn things around.
But in this case Clement will surely not be overconfident heading into the cup tie given how his players struggled at home in the league.
Two penalties, one missed, handed Rangers the chance to get out of jail on the day so the manager will know that a much-improved performance will be required to reach the final and stay on track to lift the first silverware of the season.
That is the minimum that is now expected of his side with Celtic absent and failure to do so will put the early months of his tenure under a cloud early.
The 5-0 thrashing of Dundee in midweek was far more encouraging and saw telling contributions made by struggling new men Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers.
Clement will need to get his team selection right at the weekend but the hope now is that a timely confidence boost has arrived for some who badly needed it.
In other Rangers news, Simon Jordan and Jim White both reacted furiously to a listener’s contribution on Gers controversy.