Hearts vs Rangers: TV channel, live stream, team news & preview

Rangers will have the opportunity to go top of the Scottish Premiership table for the first time under Steven Gerrard on Sunday, when they travel to face Hearts at Tynecastle.

The Gers enjoyed a scoreless draw against Villarreal on Thursday, which keep their Europa League hopes well and truly burning, but it is in the league that they wish to really measure themselves.

Hearts started the season brilliantly but have faded of late due to a chronic injury crisis and now lie fourth behind leaders Celtic, Kilmarnock and the Ibrox outfit.

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TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch

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In the United States (US), the game can be streamed live online via B/R Live.

In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on TV on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 4K UHD it can be streamed live online using the BT Sport app.

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Squads & Team News

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Hearts have been hit with a raft of significant injury problems in recent weeks, with John Souttar, Jamie Brandon, Steven Naismith and Uche Ikpeazu all ruled out of this game.

Christophe Berra’s return is going more smoothly than hoped and after training this week is rated as a doubt.

Possible Hearts starting XI: Zlamal; Smith, Dunne, Dikamona, Gaurccio; Morrison, Lee, Haring, Mitchell; Djoum; MacLean

Rangers boss Gerrard has affirmed that there were no fresh problems picked up against Villarreal on Thursday, though his side did play around an hour with 10 men after Daniel Candeais was sent off.

Borna Barisic and Jordan Rossiter are back in contention after problems. Ryan Kent, meanwhile, will only return to training on Monday after injury.

Lee Wallace, Jamie Murphy and Graham Dorrans are ruled out.

Possible Rangers starting XI: McGregor; Tavernier, McAuley, Goldson, Barisic; Jack, Arfield, Ejaria; Candeias, Morelos, Lafferty

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Betting & Match Odds

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Rangers are favourites to win according to bet365, who give odds of 4/5 on a victory for the Gers. Hearts are rated 3/1 to win and a draw is available at 14/5.

Click here to see more offers for the game, including goalscoring markets, correct score predictions and more.

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Match Preview

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If Rangers could defeat Hearts on Sunday, it would cap an excellent few days for the Ibrox club, whose prospects of qualification into the last 32 of the Europa League were boosted by a gutsy 0-0 home draw against Villarreal.

Steven Gerrard’s men had the better of the match early on, but after Daniel Candeais’ controversial red card were forced to show their battling qualities to keep their opponents out, while they even had a Glenn Middleton strike disallowed for offside.

While the former Liverpool star said he was “very proud” of his players, he noted that they must move on “very quickly”.

Up next for the Glasgow giants is a trip to Hearts, where they have failed to win since April 2012.

The atmosphere at Tynecastle, where the fans sit close to the pitch, has come under scrutiny of late after Hibs manager Neil Lennon was hit by a coin, but Gerrard is looking forward to his first experience of taking charge at the Edinburgh venue.

“It’s a great set up,” he said. “I don’t mind being close to the fans and getting banter from the terracing.

“The narrow pitch is the same for both teams, it’s big enough for us to go there and play our game, so it’s no excuse for us.”

Centre-back Connor Goldson, meanwhile, is equally looking forward to his first taste of the stadium.

“I’ve heard Tynecastle is one of the best atmospheres in the country,” he said. “There is nothing better than winning away, making the home fans quiet and hearing our fans.

“This is a proper away game with a team that don't like Rangers, we don't like them and we go there for three points.”