Jefferies: Hearts must cut out errors to beat Rangers

The Ibrox team are unbeaten in their six league games so far this season, have taken four out of a possible six points in their two Champions League group matches and are through to the quarter-finals of the Co-operative Insurance Cup. To add to that, striker Kenny Miller is the SPL's top scorer with ten goals and Jefferies acknowledged that his defenders will have to be on top of their game if they are to shut him out.

In response to the defeats to both Falkirk and Motherwell in the last ten days, Jefferies also hinted that he could make changes to his side and said: "We have had one or two problems at the back recently but we have had the players in all week working on a few things.

"We have tried a couple of things and I have told the players not to take it as read that it is the same team."

Jefferies conceded that Rangers will go into the game as favourites but insisted that his side will take a positive attitude into the lunchtime kick-off, adding: "The law of averages suggests they can't win every game! They are going to have to get beaten some time so why not at Tynecastle?

"That's the positive attitude you have to take with them. It's not going to be easy, their confidence is up and they had players who came in against Bursaspor and others they left out who they can bring back in.

"I don't think they have had any major injuries to worry about this season, which was Walter's main concern.

"But I saw a game last year when Hearts played Celtic and they were the overwhelming underdogs and they managed to pull off the win. They'll go into this game as favourites and for the first time at home this season we won't be.

"So we have everything to gain."

Meanwhile, this season's New Year Edinburgh derby will take place at Tynecastle on Saturday, January 1 for the first time in 13 years. It will be televised live on ESPN and has been rescheduled for a 12.30pm kick-off.

Hearts' SPL fixture with Rangers on Saturday, January 22 will now kick-off at 12.45pm and will be screened live by Sky Sports.

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