Hearts will face their title challengers, Rangers, at Tynecastle in a crucial match that could influence the direction of the Premiership.
The unexpected league leaders are just four matches away from securing their first title since 1960 and could become the first Scottish team outside the Old Firm to lift the trophy since 1985.
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Hearts have managed to defeat both Rangers and Celtic twice this season, and another win against Danny Rohl’s team would likely eliminate the visitors from contention.
Rangers come into this match trailing by four points and understand they must secure a victory to maintain their hopes alive ahead of next week’s Old Firm clash with Celtic, who leveled with Hearts after winning against Hibs.
Here’s everything you need to know:
When is Hearts vs. Rangers?
The match kicks off at Tynecastle at 5:30 PM on Monday, May 4.
How can I watch it?
The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
What is the team news?
Derek McInnes has made two changes from last weekend’s victory at Hibs. Alexandros Kyziridis and Islam Chesnokov replace Pierre Landry Kabore and Jordi Altena. Cammy Devlin and Harry Milne are both unavailable. Blair Spittal, who played a key role at Easter Road, will start on the bench alongside Sabah Kerjota.
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Departing captain of Rangers, James Tavernier, returns for the trip to Hearts, with Dujon Sterling likely shifting to the left as Tuur Rommens is only able to take a place on the bench. The squad sees more alterations following the defeat against Motherwell, with Mikey Moore, Andreas Skov Olsen, and Mohamed Diomande making appearances in the forward positions alongside Youssef Chermiti.
Hearts Starting XI: Schwolow; Steinwender, Halkett, Findlay, Kingsley; Baningime, Leonard; Kyziridis, Braga, Chesnokov; Shankland.
Substitutes: Fulton, Kent, McCart, Kabore, Spittal, Forrest, Altena, Kerjota, Mato.
Rangers Starting XI: Butland; Tavernier, Fernandez, Djiga, Sterling; Chukwuani, Raskin, Diomande; Moore, Skov Olsen, Chermiti.
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Substitutes: Kelly, Rommens, Aarons, Barron, Aasgaard, Gassama, Antman, Naderi, Miovski.
What have the managers said?
Derek McInnes: “There’s clearly a lot at stake in this match, and we can’t downplay that – why would we? It’s an exciting match to be part of. All the Hearts fans I’ve spoken to are looking forward to it. Although Monday at 5:30 is an unusual time for a kick-off, it won’t lessen the intensity of the atmosphere. The opening of the game will be spectacular, and hopefully the conclusion will be even more thrilling.”
Danny Rohl: “In the next four matches, we need performances that reach nearly and sometimes exceed 100 percent to gain points. This is crucial now. You can’t simply play at 95 percent or only have a good 45 minutes. It needs to be consistent throughout the match, and that’s a significant focus here. Even after Sunday, when we were down, there was no sense of giving up among the squad. This is what I appreciate. If you ask the three teams involved, they will all believe they can win. We need a positive result on our part along with a bit of assistance. But there is immense belief within the team.”