Danny Wilson warns Hearts not content with second

Danny Wilson has warned Rangers that Hearts are ready to push for the title and not settle for second place. Picture: TSPL

The teams have been installed as early favourites to battle it out for the coveted automatic promotion spot and open their new league campaign with a eagerly-awaited meeting at Ibrox on Sunday.

Wilson – who has been back to face Rangers once before, in a pre-season friendly with  Liverpool in 2011 – confesses his trip to Govan will be different as he readies himself to face his old side in competitive action for the first time.

However, despite Ally McCoist’s men being tipped to secure their return to the top flight with something to spare, the 22-year-old is adamant Hearts are determined to lay down a marker by causing an instant upset.

He said: “Ibrox, the opening day of the season, there will not be a harder game than that. It’s something we can all look forward to, you would rather play in games like that.

“It won’t be strange for me, it’s a game at the end of the day. I’ve been back to Ibrox once since I left and I’m looking forward to going back there again.

“Obviously it will be different going back there and not playing as a home player, but it’s just something that happens in football.

“Players go back to their old clubs, but hopefully I can go back and get the three points.”

With Hibernian also harbouring ambitions of landing top spot, and the likes of Falkirk, Queen of the South and Raith Rovers seeking a play-off berth, the competition will be stiff.

But Wilson added: “I don’t think you should ever play for second spot, you always try to do as best you can and obviously we feel we can be a contender.

“But it’s not going to be easy. There is no-one in there saying ‘we’re definitely going up’ but quietly we want to do well.”