George Overhill

Wed 6 December 2023 18:48, UK

Philippe Clement’s Rangers line-up for the trip to Tynecastle to face Hearts in the SPFL has been confirmed by the club.

The two changes from the 2-0 win over St Mirren last time out sees Ridvan Yilmaz come into the line up with Borna Barisic not in the match-day squad, and Danilo replacing Cyriel Dessers up front.

And after drama around Todd Cantwell and the attacking positions the Gers boss has kept the Englishman in his preferred number 10 role, with Ross McCausland and Abdallah Sima either side, behind Danilo.

Otherwise it remains Jack Butland in goal, James Tavernier, Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun making up the back line alongside Yilmaz, and John Lunstram next to Tom Lawrence.

Challenge

Rangers may have a pretty solid recent record against the Jambos but an away game at the Edinburgh side is always one of the tougher assignments during the season

Steven Naismith’s side were within minute of wining at Ibrox on 29 October before Tavernier levelled from the spot and Danilo popped up with a stoppage-time winner.

Clement’s men may have been much-improved for the Viaplay Cup semi-final a week later and Hampden but with performances looking shaky of late and results hardly sparkling he needs to ensure his players are focused for this one.

Having scored in both of the previous meetings amid increasing links to a possible Ibrox switch in January there is bound to be a lot of focus on Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland again at Tynecastle.

The Scotland international has largely come off favourably against the misfiring Light Blues strikers, and if the same happens again it will likely only increase speculation that Clement will push for a deal.

Whether that is an affordable move is another question, and the immediate concern will be for the result if the Gers attack can’t outshine the Jam Tarts man.

In other Rangers news, the relationship between a key Ibrox pair is already “strained to breaking point” according to Keith Jackson.