Rangers in do-or-die time as Barry Ferguson expects Hearts to face the heat

Rangers have a chance to swing the momentum in the William Hill Premiership by beating Hearts on Monday.

That’s what Barry Ferguson believes and has warned the Ibrox side that they’re in a do-or-die time as they travel to Tynecastle Park on 4 May.

The Light Blues’ former interim-boss feels that the Gers won’t forget the feeling if they can get the job done against Derek McInnes’ team.

Danny Rohl will certainly be aware that dropping points at Tynecastle will be a big blow for the Govan side in the title race and the German manager should set up for victory against the Jam Tarts.

Hearts can dent the hopes of the Ibrox faithful by stifling the Glaswegian outfit on their turf, with the Jambos three points clear at the top of the table.

Split images of Derek McInnes, Martin O'Neill and Danny Rohl with William Hill Premiership table

⚽Rangers match day ⚽

Team news, line-ups, expert previews and tactical analysis for every Rangers fixture.

Danny Rohl has Rangers blueprint for win vs Hearts

Writing in the Daily Record on 1 May, Ferguson said, “McInnes and his team will be feeling 10 feet tall right now and believe they’re only a step or two away from being crowned champions. But if Rangers can win, all of a sudden the mood will flip. The momentum will swing in our favour and a huge dose of doubt will be injected into the Gorgie mindset.

“It’s a big ‘if’, but it’s do-or-die time, and Rangers must take this chance. If they can win on Monday, well, there will be no forgetting the feeling.”

Rohl got the better of McInnes the last time as the Gers beat Hearts 4-2 at home in the William Hill Premiership.

The game in February was eventually decided by Youssef Chermiti at Ibrox, with the Portuguese striker bagging a hat-trick.

RangersStatisticsHearts
56%Possession44%
2.46xG0.35
7Big chances created0
19Total shots7
1Goalkeeper saves1
Stats from Rangers’ 4-2 win against Hearts, as per Sofascore

Despite going behind twice in the game, the Glaswegian outfit were the dominant side, creating several goalscoring opportunities and stopping the Jam Tarts from doing much.

Rohl’s game plan in Govan worked to a tee and the German manager will surely be looking to do the same at Tynecastle Park in what could end up deciding the fate of the Govan side this season.

Ibrox faithful will want to see one thing from Danny Rohl

Rangers supporters will be disappointed if their team show a lack of urgency from the get-go against Hearts, despite it being a must-win game.

A draw wouldn’t necessarily do the Gers any good, with the Jambos four points ahead of them.

Rangers striker Youssef Chermiti in the background with league goalscoring stats against Celtic and Hearts
Credit: Imago

Rohl needs to ensure that his players understand the task at hand and put the game to bed when given the opportunity.

The German manager may need to shun his often cautious approaches to games and set his team up to get the three points in Edinburgh by any means necessary.

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