RANGERS might be preparing for only their second league game of the new season this weekend, but Kris Boyd reckons Tynecastle will provide them with the perfect platform to display their championship credentials.
The Ibrox club travel to Edinburgh on Sunday afternoon to take on a Hearts side tipped to push the Old Firm all the way this season in the title race after making huge strides last term under manager Csaba Laszlo.
Having finished first in the SPL title race last season, the onus is on Walter Smith's side to prove they are more than capable of retaining their crowd this term despite the fact no new arrivals were brought in during the summer.
And Boyd knows a victory away at Hearts - still reeling from their opening defeat to Dundee United on Monday - on Sunday will be a massive result for his team-mates even at this early stage in the campaign.
"Tyencastle is definitely up there with venues such as Parkhead and Pittodrie in terms of being a really difficult place to go," admitted Boyd. "It is easily one of the toughest away fixtures of the season.
"We only played there once last season because of the way things worked out after the split," said Boyd.
"But we lost 2-1. I think Celtic also dropped points there and it's without doubt a tough venue to take all three points from.
"It's a hostile ground because the fans are right on top of you. As I said, there are always three or four grounds that are difficult to go to and Tynecastle is definitely one of them.
"But it's a chance for us to go there and lay a marker down in terms of our championship hopes. If we get the three points it shows the fighting spirit is there and it would be a big win."
Boyd, however, rates Hearts highly and he believes they have improved greatly under Laszlo's leadership.
"When their new manager came in they turned the corner in terms of having a bit more stability at the club," said Boyd. "They are a physical side and they always raise their game against the Old Firm.
"You find these teams can perform well against us, but nine times out of ten they struggle the following weekend.
"So we are under no illusions it's going to be a difficult game for us through there on Sunday."
Rangers marked the championship flag unveiling with a convincing 4-1 victory over Falkirk at the weekend.
And Boyd hopes that can kick-start the kind of consistency that is essential at the start of the season.
"It was nice to get a victory at the weekend," he said. "We are at the top on goal difference and that is where we want to remain. You just want to get out there and get that first victory.
"Now our attention turns to the next game. We know what it takes to win a championship now.
"You must take one game at a time and keep your eye on the ball. So we are now preparing for Hearts."
Boyd failed to open his goal account for the season despite Rangers netting four goals on the opening day of the season.
"It's not a major concern," explained Boyd.
"Obviously you'd like to get off the mark as quickly as possible but I'm sure they'll come."
Boyd, within the last 24 hours, has been linked with a lucrative move to Turkish sides Trabzonspor and Kayserspor as the clock ticks down on his contract at Rangers.
As things stand, the striker will be free to open talks with other comes at the turn of the year when he will be in a position to sign a pre-contract deal.
So far, Rangers haven't made attempts to offer him a new deal despite the fact he has now entered the final year of his contract.
Although he would be delighted to pen a new deal, Boyd isn't allowing himself to get upset that there is no deal on the table.
"I don't think you can let all the speculation distract you - that's when you allow your game to go to pop," said Boyd. "Whatever happens with my contract happens. That is down to Rangers. I have stated that I am happy here.
"It's up to them whatever they want to do. I know as long as I'm in the team I'll do a job but the situation isn't bothering me. All I want to do is play football every week."
Publication date 19/08/09
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2526318.0.0.php
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