Our prediction for this Scottish Premiership match:
After suffering a shocking loss to St Johnstone at the weekend, Rangers have no other option but to go all guns blazing at Hearts on Matchday 15. The Gers are now seven points behind league leaders Celtic, meaning that this has to go down as a somewhat of a must-win situation for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s troops. Keep in mind, though, that Rangers’ injury list is pretty long, including the likes of Connor Goldson, Ryan Jack, Tom Lawrence, Ianis Hagi, John Souttar, Kemar Roofe, Ridvan Yilmaz, and Filip Helander.
Meanwhile, Hearts proved their worth in back-to-back wins over Ross County and Motherwell, but given the importance of the midweek clash for Rangers, home win should be considered. As for the away team, Jorge Grant is banned, while all Boyce, Baningime, Halkett, Mackay-Steven, Kingsley, and Haring are out of contention through injuries.
Highlighted Player (Tom Lawrence):
Tom Lawrence is a Welsh footballer who plays as a winger for Championship side Derby County. Born in Wrexham (Wales) on January 13, 1994, Tom Lawrence played for Everton and Manchester United during his youth career.
The 180-cm-tall footballer, though, made no more than one appearances for the Red Devils in the Premier League as he was immediately sent on loan to Carlisle United. The Wales international played for the likes of Yeovil Town, Leicester City, Rotherham United, Blackburn Rovers, Cardiff City and Ipswich Town as well before signing a contract with Derby County. Tom Lawrence’s main position is left winger, but he is used as both second striker and right winger as well.
The Derby County man made his Wales debut in November 2015 in a 3-2 loss to Netherlands. The highlight of his career is the goal he scored against Georgia in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. His preferred foot is right and he wears No. 10 jersey at Derby County.
Highlighted Team (Hearts):
Founded in 1874, Hearts are professional football club that compete in the Scotland Premiership. The Jam Tarts welcome their rivals at Tynecastle Park Gorgie, the stadium which can hold up to 20,000 spectators.
While the original Hearts strip was all white shirts and trousers with maroon trimmings, the club’s current home kit is all maroon with a white-collar. Hearts have won the Scottish Premier League title four times (1894/95, 1896/97, 1957/58, 1959/60), but they have been in Celtic and Rangers’ shadows in the 21st century. Hibernian are considered the club’s fiercest rivals. The two teams first met back in 1875 on Christmas Day, with Hearts winning the match 1-0. The Tynecastle Park Gorgie recorded their biggest win in 1880, with the team rolling over Anchor 21-0 in the FA Cup.
The club’s heaviest defeat came eight years later as Hearts were beaten by Vale of Leven 8-1 in the Scottish Cup. John Robertson is leading the club’s all-time goal-scoring chart, with the left winger netting 214 goals for the club.