Rangers manager Derek McInnes expects captain Lawrence Shankland and team-mate Cammy Devlin to pass on detailed information to the squad about facing their former side Hearts at Tynecastle on Wednesday evening. The 31-year-old striker, who could return from hamstring surgery in early December, and midfielder Devlin are set to provide a comprehensive tactical briefing for the key away fixture.
McInnes is leaning on the pair's inside knowledge as his side, second in the league table with 23 points from 10 games, prepare to face the third-placed team. Rangers are unbeaten in their last five league matches, a run that includes a 4-0 win over St Johnstone last Friday and a 2-2 draw at Dundee. The comprehensive victory over St Johnstone on Saturday 24 October saw goals from Kevin Kelsy, Ryan Naderi, and Tochi Chukwuani. The team's record of seven wins and two draws from their opening ten fixtures has them four points behind leaders Celtic in the title race. The manager highlighted that his team's recent performances have seen them average 68 goal minutes per match, a statistic he wants to see maintained or improved upon in the intense atmosphere of Tynecastle.
Contract situations remain stable
Defender Dujon Sterlin, 26, is content at Ibrox and his contract is not a concern. "I'm happy at Rangers and there are no problems regarding my contract situation," Sterlin said. His current deal has 18 months left to run.
Elsewhere, Dundee's versatile 31-year-old Drey Wright is keen to extend his stay at Dens Park beyond the end of his current contract next summer. The club has indicated preliminary talks could begin in the coming weeks, though no formal offer is on the table yet.
League context and preparation
The preparation comes as Rangers look to close a four-point gap to leaders Celtic. Their recent form, reading four wins and a draw from the last five, provides a solid platform for the trip to Edinburgh. This sequence includes the 4-0 win over St Johnstone, a 2-2 draw at Dundee on Saturday 17 October, a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock, and two wins over Celtic. Top scorer Ryan Naderi, with five goals this season, will be a key figure, with McInnes confirming the forward is fully fit and available for selection. The team has scored 17 goals and conceded just seven, giving them a goal difference of plus ten.
Hearts will pose a significant test, making the insights from Shankland and Devlin particularly valuable. The squad's focus is now entirely on the Tynecastle encounter, which kicks off on Wednesday night in what is the first of two key fixtures in a four-day span for Rangers, who then host Aberdeen on Saturday afternoon. McInnes concluded by stating that while the inside knowledge is useful, the outcome will be decided by his team's application and ability to execute their game plan under pressure.
Background and full detail: bbc.co.uk
