Credit: Tung Manh Phan/Breaking Media

Cameron Smith

Fri 1 May 2026 12:40, UK

Hearts welcome Rangers to Tynecastle on Monday in a clash that could define the season for both sides.

Rangers slipped to third in the Scottish Premiership after Motherwell snatched a last-gasp winner at Ibrox last time out.

That same weekend, Celtic beat Falkirk, while Hearts came from behind to defeat rivals Hibs at Easter Road.

Danny Rohl’s side are four points behind the Jambos and must take all three points in the capital to keep their title hopes alive heading into the final three games.

It is the start of a huge week for the Govan side, who travel to Tynecastle before a trip to Parkhead, beginning with a crunch meeting against the composed league leaders.

Form guide

After a fantastic run heading into the split, Rangers could not have got off to a worse start on Sunday, as they fell to a 3-2 defeat against Motherwell.

With the gap to Hearts now sitting at five, the trip to Tynecastle is an absolute must win.

The league leaders on the other hand, continue to remain unflappable, with Derek McInnes’ side coming from a goal behind in the Edinburgh derby last time out to keep hold of their gap.

Hearts (last six games all comps): WWDWLW

Rangers (last six games all comps): LWWWWL

Head-to-head

League leaders Hearts have got the better of Sunday’s hosts twice this term, with a 2-0 win at Ibrox in December followed up by a 2-1 victory back at Tynecastle over the festive period.

They had been unbeaten against both Glasgow sides up until February, when Youssef Chermiti starred in a 4-2 win at Ibrox.

For Rangers, Rohl can take positives in the fact that the Gers have not lost twice at Tynecastle in almost 10 years, when they fell to a double defeat in the 2017-18 season.

Team news and likely lineups

Heading into the weekend, Rohl remains without Ryan Naderi, who is expected to return to the fold before the end of the season, alongside Bailey Rice.

With Naderi’s absence in mind, the boss may choose to ditch the two-striker formation, with Bojan Miovski and Chermiti simply not working as a pair.

As a result, Nico Raskin could start as the furthest forward in midfield, with Connor Barron stepping in in a deeper role.

Tuur Rommens could also make his return to the side, while Andreas Skov Olsen is handed an opportunity out wide.

For Hearts, there are no fresh injury concerns for McInnes, with the likes of Finlay Pollock and Calem Nieuwenhof ruled out until the season’s end.

Cameron Devlin could make his return to the side soon, alongside Harry Milne.

Rangers predicted XI: Butland; Sterling, Fernandez, Souttar, Rommens; Barron, Chukwuani; Skov Olsen, Raskin, Moore; Chermiti

Hearts predicted XI: Schwolow; Steinwender, Halkett, Findlay; Altena, Leonard, Baningime, Kingsley; Braga, Shankland, Kabore

Hearts player to watch: Claudio Braga

With 14 goals and three assists this term, Claudio Braga has proven an absolute bargain for the Jambos.

Operating in a versatile role across the frontline, the 26-year-old will be looking to take advantage of what proved a leaky defence against Motherwell last week, potentially bringing an end to Rangers’ title hopes.

We say: Hearts 1-2 Rangers

Monday is must win; there is no other way around it.

Should the Gers fall to defeat on Monday, the title is all but gone. Though, as proven before the split, Rohl’s side are capable of scoring goals.

With the gap at the top at five, the pressure is on Hearts to maintain that, with Celtic close behind.

And with Celtic away approaching for Rangers, a win at Tynecastle would well and truly get the ball rolling when it comes to momentum from here to the season’s end.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.