MURRAY WANTS HOSTILITIES TO CONTINUE

Rangers utility man Ian Murray is hoping for his usual hostile reception at Tynecastle.

The Scotland international is a boyhood supporter of Hearts' arch-rivals, Hibernian, and captained the club before moving to Ibrox this summer.

The 24-year-old was regularly singled out by Jambos' fans while he was with the Easter Road club and expects little to have changed when he lines up at Tynecastle.

But Murray insists the jeering simply means he is doing his job well.

He said: "I will probably get the usual reception from the Hearts fans - plenty of boos and plenty of stick.

"If I got nothing, I would be disappointed. It's a back-handed compliment.

"If they don't want to boo me, then it means they don't see me as a danger or a threat to them.

"But, if we can manage to get the first couple of goals, hopefully that will quieten them down anyway."

Bank of Scotland Premier League leaders Hearts will stretch their lead over Rangers to 11 points if they triumph over the Scottish champions.

But Murray insists George Burley's team will be feeling just as much pressure as Rangers ahead of kick-off.

He added: "It is not a must-win game. It's a game we want to win but, at the end of the day, it is three points.

"It would be a blow if we didn't get them, and Hearts went further ahead than us, but it is only three points.

"Hearts might try to put pressure on us by saying it's a bigger game for us, but I don't think it is, because Hearts have to show their credentials against us now. It is a huge test for Hearts."

The last meeting between the two clubs at Tynecastle proved to be a stormy affair with Saulius Mikoliunas of Hearts and Rangers forward Dado Prso both sent off.

But, with players' discipline under the microscope this week after bans for Celtic captain Neil Lennon and Wayne Rooney of Manchester United, Murray has called for cool heads at Tynecastle.

He said: "There has been a lot said this week with Lennon being banned and what happened with Wayne Rooney.

"Sometimes, it's hard to keep your emotions in check when you want to win so much, but we know there is no point arguing with the referee or the linesman because he is not going to change his decision.

"Responsibility is with the players and managers to try to keep a lid on it."

Murray's former club, Hibs, are one of the reasons why Rangers are trailing both Hearts and Celtic in the title race, following their shock win at Ibrox two weeks ago.

Hibernian are level on points with the Light Blues, along with Kilmarnock, but Murray is confident he will have the last laugh over his former team-mates when the prizes are being handed out at the end of the season.

He smiled: "The first time I played against Hibs, they go and beat us 3-0 at Ibrox. I had never won at Ibrox when I was at Hibs.

"I've taken a bit of stick from some of the Hibs lads and it will be even worse if we lose tomorrow.

"But we will see what they have to say for themselves come May."

Taken from sportinglife.com