Rangers wary of Hearts backlash

Glasgow Rangers manager Walter Smith has warned the Scottish Premier League champions to expect a backlash from misfiring Hearts when the two sides clash on Sunday.

Hearts have endured a nightmare start to the season, losing to Dundee United in their league opener before slumping to a 4-0 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League.

“I don’t think they have had the start to the season they would have wanted, losing at Tannadice on Monday night and then losing on Thursday,” said Smith.

“Sometimes it takes teams a little bit of time to get started but they are at home and they are a difficult side to overcome at home.

“We lost out there last season when we didn’t play well so we have to make sure we lift ourselves from the way we played against Falkirk last week.

“We scored some good goals and we were delighted to win it but our overall performance wasn’t the best so we know we will have to lift ourselves as well.

“Hearts, if they need any other motivation when they play against Rangers, will find it in the sense that losing the first two games of the season is never a good thing.

“There may be more determination within their group to get off to a good start.

“When you add in the situation that Rangers are one of the teams they want to get closer to in the league this season, then they’ve got every motivation to do well.

“That’s something we will have to be careful with.”