Keith Jackson will be ‘astonished’ in new Hearts vs Rangers prediction
Danny Rohl will face his toughest test as Rangers manager against Hearts on Sunday afternoon.
Nine points separate the two teams in the Scottish Premiership, and Rangers’ 1-0 win over Hibernian has given them confidence ahead of a season-defining match at Tynecastle.
The Light Blues are arguably the underdogs against Derek McInnes’ side, but Rohl has renewed the optimism among fans around Govan with his unbeaten start to life in the league.
Tynecastle will be a raucous atmosphere, and even though Rangers have the perfect opportunity to close the gap on Hearts, Keith Jackson can only predict a home win.
Keith Jackson predicts Hearts to beat Rangers
Rangers are still within a chance of mounting a title challenge, and the next run of fixtures will prove to be key if they are to contend under Rohl.
Hearts come into the match off the back of a 3-0 win over Falkirk, and they are in the driving seat to win their first top-flight title since 1960.
| Date | 21 December |
| Kick-off time | 1:30pm |
| Stadium | Tynecastle |
Speaking on the Daily Record Hotline Live on 16 December, Jackson has no hope for Rangers to beat Hearts.
He said: “I don’t see Rangers as genuine contenders. I’ll be astonished if they go to Hearts and win that game.
“If I were Hearts, I’m rubbing my hands at the prospect of welcoming that team to Tynecastle right now.”
Hearts defeated Rangers 2-0 on 13 September thanks to a Lawrence Shankland double at Ibrox, and Rohl will have to learn from Russell Martin’s mistakes that day to fire his side back in the title race.
A positive omen for Gers fans is their brilliant away record against Hearts.
When is the last time Rangers lost at Tynecastle?
The last time they tasted defeat at Tynecastle was a 1-0 Scottish Cup defeat in February 2020.
Since then, the Bears have won on seven of their nine visits, scoring 22 goals and conceding six in that time.
Of course, this Rangers side is a completely different outfit from the teams that have one so easily over the years, and more importantly, Hearts have changed a fair bit as well.
It seemed unthinkable at the start of the season, but if Rangers can continue their good record at Tynecastle, a three-horse race will emerge for the Scottish Premiership title.
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