JJ says Rangers see Hearts as a threat

Hearts boss Jim Jefferies believes Rangers feel threatened by his team – and expects the champions to up their game as a result.

JJ takes his side into tomorrow's lunchtime SPL clash at Tynecastle just five points behind Walter Smith's side after a fantastic run of form. However, he insists such a scenario often brings the best out of the Ibrox side and has warned his players they must respond to this tomorrow.

"This is where Rangers and Celtic don't make it easy for you," explained Jefferies, pictured. "They have experience of teams getting close to them before and this is when they are at their most resilient too. When anyone threatens them, they can up their game too. It's not going to be easy but we have belief and confidence and spirit and we need to show that and play to our very best."