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All things considered, 2018 has been pretty good so far for Rangers supporters. OK, arguably the main priority of appointing a new manager has seen a disappointing lack of clarity but most other news has been positive. Six wins and just the one defeat since our return from the winter break represents the best form in the Premiership and, as a result, we've not only taken second place again from Aberdeen but closed the gap to Celtic to just nine points. Furthermore, our work in the January transfer window was notable and although we're still missing a variety of key players due to injury, the team's performances have seen more of a feel-good factor return. With that in mind, some fans have been asking if the impossible is likely: can we really challenge Celtic for the title? In some ways, I can buy into that optimism. Our squad has improved, we have the best support in the country and results - outwith a frustrating and avoidable defeat to Hibs - have been good. As such, who's to say what may have happened by the time the final whistle blows in a fortnight's time after the third Old Firm game of the season? Unfortunately, we're still far from reliable ourselves. Defensive errors seen us lose three goals last weekend against a poor Hamilton outfit and a similar lack of concentration cost us badly after working so hard to get back into the game at Hibs. Even Ayr Utd managed to take the lead due to tardiness from the otherwise reliable Wes Foderingham. This kind of slackness has certainly been prevalent lately and we can ill-afford more as we move into the business end of the season. Not to mention tomorrow's visitors Hearts offer much more of a challenge than the likes of Hamilton, Ayr and Partick Thistle. This will be the third time we've played against the maroon side of Edinburgh and although we remain unbeaten, Hearts have been one of only two teams to be victorious versus Celtic domestically this season. Defensively they're also usually very good and in Christophe Berra have what seems to be an increasingly popular player of the year candidate. Craig Levein has put together a team with high-level experience (Lafferty, Naismith and Cowie remain influential players) sprinkled with a variety of impressive and confident teenagers. Make no mistake, this will be no walkover at Ibrox tomorrow! However, what we do have is real momentum - perhaps for the first time since our return to the Premiership. And our recent glut of goals will be an interesting match for Hearts excellent defensive record. Manager Graeme Murty also has what appears to be a settled first team at his disposal and with more creative options than when we drew 0-0 with Hearts in the corresponding fixture in August, we have to be confident ahead of the game. In terms of the Rangers team, I don't envisage many - if any changes - from the XI that won in Lanarkshire last weekend. Apparently Bruno Alves and Jason Holt will be available again but it may be only the latter is recalled to the team as the former Hearts midfielder provides that wee bit extra bite in the middle of the park that seems to be missing without a Jack or McCrorie. As much as Greg Docherty came onto a game at New Douglas Park last Sunday, Holt's extra experience may count for him whilst having Docherty as an energetic option from the bench could be useful later in the game. The biggest difference and the main positive in the 2018 Rangers team is the options we now have. OK, due to some injuries (the aforementioned Jack and McCrorie as well as Dorrans, Wallace and Rossiter) our squad perhaps still isn't as deep as we'd like for now but generally we do have a better balance - especially when going forward. Previously, everything we had was down our right hand side with Tavernier and Candeias (themselves both surely player of the year candidates) being so important. Indeed, if either of them struggled in a game then the team struggled as a whole. However, the capture of Jamie Murphy and, to a lesser extent, Greg Docherty has changed that and I think it's shown in the increased number of goals we're scoring. Now we can attack down both flanks equally comfortably with Windass and Docherty also offering a central threat. Most importantly of all now though is the influence of Sean Goss who arrived pretty much under the radar from QPR. The left-footed midfielder is arguably the player Niko Kranjcar was hoped to be for us: someone who can sit deep and move the ball effectively and quickly to help us get in behind teams. At the same time, he can push on himself, has a good shot and his set-pieces are usually dangerous. His acquisition and contribution, in my opinion, cannot be over-estimated. The same should be said for the efforts of Alfredo Morelos who continues to prove himself the best striker in the country. Despite speculation over his future, the young Columbian shows time after time he can't get enough of scoring goals and his work-rate and love of physical battles say a lot about his professional attitude and overall fitness. Jason Cummings has done well in his cameos so far but will have to be content with a place on the bench for now. Finally, with our attacking operations all in good order, I'm hoping to see some improved defensive work from us tomorrow. As a unit, all five players have shown their quality and Russell Martin looks to be a clever deal but we still continue to ship cheap goals. Perhaps Bruno Alves may return tomorrow to address that but I suspect Murty will give Martin and Bates another chance tomorrow. Hearts may be more renowned for their defensive strength but Rangers fans more than anyone else should be aware how dangerous the likes of Lafferty and Naismith (if fit) can be. I'm also looking forward to the battle between James Tavernier and Demetri Mitchell on our right side who are both important attacking outlets for their teams. In conclusion, tomorrow is a big test for this new-look Rangers team. Our home form hasn't been great but the transfer window strategy seemed to be to specifically address our difficulties there. However, patience may need to be our biggest virtue tomorrow as I suspect a similar game to the August draw with Hearts primarily looking to cause issues on the break. A win is vital in any case - not only to apply even a small amount of pressure to Celtic but also to challenge Aberdeen - both of whom play each other the following day. Sitting second tomorrow evening with another three points really would be an excellent outcome. Momentum, momentum, momentum indeed. Possible team (4-2-3-1):

One of the few things in Scottish football that will give me pleasure is seeing Dundee Utd continue to wallow in the Championship for a few more seasons. A truly horrible club.

KO - 19:35 Live on BBC Alba. A chance to watch Ryan Hardie & maybe Jordan Thompson in action, I hope they both play and give DUTD a good hammering!.

We should play them in a friendly as a gesture of goodwill as no doubt they'll be stung on this. When we were going through our difficulties in recent years some of the Highland League and ex-Highland League sides showed us friendship and welcomed us, we should never forget that. None of our neighbours showed us that.

Yes, he's on three .... 1. Doubtful he will be fit enough to play 2. Doubtful that he is good enough to score against us 3. Doubtful that he'll ever be forgiven

I'm not going to consciously boo any player, but a few expletives may stumble out now and again, incidentally.

You don't want to see them relegated further ? I would love to see them end up in the lower tiers

Better off supporting our own players and not giving that pair the attention they crave. 'Mon The Rangers!

This is a MUST WIN match tomorrow, we simply have to keep winning and put pressure on the scum.

Sportsound was a fun listen last night. After the match Pat Bonnar, who remains someone it's impossible to hate, said something along the lines of 'Celtic enjoyed good possession' and was metaphorically set upon by Thomson, Gordon and McDonald. It was really funny. Stevie Thomson actually laughed out loud at the comment and Richard Gordon told him Celtic didn't touch the ball for the first 25 minutes other than to pick it out of the net. Even Scott McDonald was very critical of the performance and the tactics. To be fair it's not like they could say anything else after a 3-0 trouncing by a side who apparently didn't play all that well. It simply underlined what some have been feeling for a while, this season Celtic are beatable. There's a lethargy and an arrogance to them and if we can only stay injury free and avoid the stupid defeats there's a championship to be won.

Last-16 draw in full Lazio v Dynamo Kiev RB Leipzig v Zenit St Petersburg Atletico Madrid v Lokomotiv Moscow CSKA v Lyon Marseille v Athletic Bilbao Sporting Lisbon v Viktoria Plzen Borussia Dortmund v FC Salzburg Milan v Arsenal Some interesting ties, and, let's face it, rasellik really don't belong in such company. Do they?

Normally I would agree with you mate but we would have to have been in a different universe to beat Hibs when Beaton refereed the Hibs game.

Haw Jum, Did you see Ryan Hardie's screamer? Work it up your arse!

There have been a few articles in the papers about how Lafferty and Naismith will deal with being booed at Ibrox. Are people actually planning on booing them? I know they left the club at a bad time, but they were part of a very successful period for the club. If Naismith hadn't apologised sincerely it would be more understandable to boo. And Lafferty clearly has a lot of affection for the club too and was as desperate as Naismith to return. We barely boo players we really don't like at Celtic. It seems to me bizarre to boo this pair.

This is a very important game for both Murty and the team. Do the last two results herald a new upbeat Rangers or were they a false dawn with our hope about to be dashed? Hearts will be a good test for this. They don’t let many goals in so it will be a test for our free scoring players. They can be somewhat muscular so we need to be able to stand up to them. Needless to say a strong referee would be helpful, but I believe it is Mr Beaton, so we can park that one. A good win here will really set us up. We can then await the Sunday result knowing that whatever the result we are on to a winner. We either pull away from Aberdeen and/or we get nearer Celtic. To be greedy, a nice result by Killie will leave Hibs trailing in our wake. Any dropped points will have us questioning the team and manager once again. But enough of negative thinking. Let us live in hope and as the OP says, Momentum!

After last week, the bandwagon has been in for a service and is ready to roll.

Only the pope is infallible (at least since the 1870s or thereabouts). He did not play for The Rangers (none of them have done, strangely enough, but there is time); however he might get a sherricking should he turn up.

To be honest I've not time for either player but we have more important matters to worry about than these two, Massive game tomorrow

Frankie, Hearts aren't the only team to beat Celtic domestically this season. Kilmarnock have as well and the point I'd take from it is both Hearts and Kilmarnock are very well organised at the back. The cautious optimism that abounds needs fueled by a win against Hearts, anything else and it's difficult to say we are moving forwards. This is the type of game that will be difficult against a good defence, but one that we have to find a way of winning. No excuses, the three points have to be got.

Send Hartson a tin of this, Jean-Jacques

Bonaparte....Hitler......Rodgers. Those Russian winters, eh?

Their pain must have been a joy to listen to, however i prefer to chuckle reading on here, Girfuy Pacific Emerald.

He never mentioned Catholics in his post so not sure why so many references to Catholics in yours

Yip, Hardie scores a screamer to win the match

they've got a £30 million mortgage on Parkhead due to Co op bank in 2019

I'm still expecting to hear from Rogers that Zenit only turn up when they play the big boys.

Meanwhile ... about 3 mins of research and C&P yields: CELTIC PLC Company number SC003487 13 charges registered 6 outstanding, 7 satisfied, 0 part satisfied Which are ... + Persons entitled The Co-Operative Bank PLC Brief description All and whole that plot or area of ground situated to the… + Persons entitled Co-Operative Bank PLC Short particulars Subjects lying to the south west of glen road lennoxtown… + Persons entitled The Co-Operative Bank PLC Short particulars Plot of ground known as celtic triange, glasgow. + Persons entitled The Co-Operative Bank PLC Short particulars Plot of ground at westhorn, glasgow. + Persons entitled The Scottish Ministers Short particulars Site at the former lennox castle hospital, lennoxtown… + Persons entitled The Co-Operative Bank PLC Short particulars Celtic park, glasgow-- see mortgage document for full… https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/SC003487/charges Methinks that much of the Co-Op Bank loans are due in 2018 ...

I'd thought that the initial security, being Albion and EH was light, as EH can't be worth a lot in its current (asbestos riddled?) state, so it's not a surprise that more has been added in. We don't even use the wi-fi system so not an issue. I can't get too excited about it.

All humans are fallible. What Pol Pot, Hitler, Stalin and HiroHito are guilty of is a bit more complicated than simple human fallibility.

Sounds appropriate.

Lafferty, no; Naismith, yes. Simple.

Ha!Ha!................

I don't remember Lafferty receiving jeers at the last game. I do suspect Naismith might well do tomorrow though given his more high profile statements in 2012.

We'll be in the Neptune from around 12.45-1pm as usual mate. Welcome to join Ian, JohnnyK and our wee group although I'll be the designated driver as usual.

There are enough Rangers fans who slaughter our current players at Ibrox already! I don't see the point, however I am sure some fans will boo them tomorrow

He was having a wee deoch and dorus...

Of course when arranging new strip contracts when we went from V neck to crew neck somebody will have seen the opportunity to bring in extra cash due to the amount of red and black socks that would have been kicking around the various sports shops at that time. Later, given the character of the man, I've no doubt Jock had a say in the matter.