Hearts try to take positives and regroup ahead of vital week for team

Hearts know they will need to pick themselves off the canvas after the ultimate sucker punch by Rangers last weekend.

The Jambos’ players sank to the turf in anguish and disbelief when referee John Beaton blew for full time to confirm their 2-1 defeat at Ibrox. Having led for the best part of 85 minutes through Lawrence Shankland’s header, James Tavernier’s penalty and a stoppage-time header from Danilo pipped the visitors’ pockets. While their performance against Rangers was a massive improvement on the previous defeat, a one-sided 4-1 thumping by Celtic, the mental scars are likely to run deeper.

Alex Cochrane, who set up Shankland for the opener with an excellent cross from his weaker right foot, is aware there is no time for moping. They play Rangers again on Sunday in the Viaplay Cup semi-final at Hampden but before that, a pivotal Premiership match takes place at Tynecastle against Livingston. Hearts dropped down to seventh place in a congested league table following the weekend results and while the Hearts support are likely to tolerate a defeat at Ibrox, nothing but three points will do against a Livi outfit that is also finding wins hard to come by.