Top-six berth essential for Hearts, says David Templeton

• David Templeton

The Tynecastle club are close to securing a top-six spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, which would guarantee them one more fixture against each of the Old Firm after the split. But defeat at Tynecastle this lunchtime would provide seventh-placed St Johnstone with an opportunity to cut the deficit to two points with a game in hand.

Templeton does not even want to contemplate post-split fixtures against those clubs battling against relegation. The 21-year-old forward believes it is imperative Jim Jefferies' men secure at least a top-half finish after grabbing third place last year.

"It's massive, especially after where we finished last season," he said. "We'd love to be up there with the bigger teams, getting to the split and playing Rangers and Celtic."

Templeton will be hoping for a rare start today after impressing as a substitute in two of his last three appearances. He scored his first goal for the club against Hamilton last month and followed that up with a consolation strike in the recent defeat at Motherwell.

"I've not really had much of a chance," he said. "I've come on in a few games and I've scored a couple of goals.

"It's helped my confidence as well under the new manager. Hopefully, I can get a few more chances under him."

Templeton is one of a number of young players whose development has been harmed by the scrapping of the reserve league. Injuries have also hampered his progress this season, but that did not stop Hearts offering him a new three-year contract this week. He said: "This season, I've been unfortunate with injury, so hopefully I can get a few games before the end of this season, then kick on for next."

Templeton is confident of doing so after watching a number of his former youth-team colleagues being given their chance this term, including in last weekend's Edinburgh derby.

"There were five who played on Saturday and there were a few on the bench as well," said the forward, who was an unused substitute at Tynecastle.

"I think it shows we are going the right way with youth."

He feels the same about the change of tactics since Jefferies returned to the club in January. "We play a bit more attacking now with the two up front," said Templeton, suggesting there had been flaws in Csaba Laszlo's approach.

"Under the old manager, it was just the one up front, with one off.

"There weren't really enough players supporting the striker."

Rangers rested a number of first-team regulars for Wednesday night's Active Nation Scottish Cup defeat at Dundee United after playing the final 20 minutes of Sunday's Co-operative Insurance Cup triumph over St Mirren with nine men.

Templeton said of today's match: "I think they'll bring back all their big players. They were obviously just giving their players a rest after the game on Sunday. They went down to nine men so they'll all have been tired."

Hearts, meanwhile, confirmed last night that Ian Black would be fit for today's game after shaking off the head knock he suffered in the derby.

One player who will not be involved is David Witteveen, who has joined Morton on loan until the end of the season, while Calum Elliot and Arvydas Novikovas remain doubts.

Jefferies is hoping to welcome back vice-captain Marius Zaliukas. The defender has been out for a month after tearing a hamstring but trained this week and could feature if there is no reaction to his injury.