Overview
- Derek McInnes will make his first return to Tynecastle on Wednesday and says he feels 'guilt' over leaving Hearts while preparing for a likely hostile reception from supporters.
- Hearts lost the Scottish Premiership on the final day last season in a 3-1 defeat at Parkhead and have publicly complained about a series of contentious refereeing decisions in the run‑in.
- Striker Lawrence Shankland and midfielder Cammy Devlin both moved from Hearts to Rangers in the close season but are ruled out of Wednesday’s match through injury.
- Rangers recovered from a slow start to put together a nine‑game unbeaten run and sit four points behind leaders Celtic with Hearts a further four points adrift of Rangers.
- The game is set to be charged physically and emotionally at Tynecastle, with close referee scrutiny and the crowd reaction to McInnes likely to shape the fixture’s atmosphere and short‑term title dynamics.