I'll Rix Rangers

GRAHAM RIX plans to outfox Alex McLeish this weekend by keeping the Rangers manager guessing.

The head coach intends to use the variety of permutations available to him as a result of Hearts' expansive squad to make it impossible for McLeish to predict his opponents' starting XI. Rudi Skacel, Edgaras Jankauskas and captain Steven Pressley all have a chance of playing as they fight injury and illness respectively, and Rix will publicly keep his options open until the very last minute.

"We'll keep everybody guessing, including Mr McLeish," said Rix. "We haven't decided yet on the side and I'll keep it that way till just before kick-off.

"It's a big game for us, it's a big game for Rangers.

"Everyone at Hearts realises how important this one is. We obviously want to stay where we are, if not improve, they are on a good run and are putting us under pressure.

"We have to withstand that. I wouldn't say it's any bigger for one side than it is the other. We've had a good season and we want to continue that."

Rix is aware of supporters' frustrations at the lack of fluidity in Hearts' play at present, with recent matches against Partick Thistle, Livingston and Inverness causing consternation amongst fans.

"If they get frustrated, they get frustrated but they have to realise that it's not always easy to play free-flowing football," said the Englishman. "I've said that all along because no team does it. Many big teams have had magnificent seasons through digging in and scraping a result when necessary. With the talent and financial clout that Chelsea have, even they still can't play beautiful football every week. Because of the season we've had, the expectation level goes up. But we have to remain calm and realistic.

"On Sunday, three points will again be our priority."

On the injury doubts, Rix added: "We have to take it day by day with Elvis in case he has any reaction. He says he is feeling a lot better within himself and obviously he wants to play.

"Edgar and Rudi have both done a bit of light training with the physios. Both of them have a chance. Robbie Neilson missed out on the Future game with Scotland last night but I think he'll be okay."

Rangers fans have cancelled a protest planned for Tynecastle on Sunday so that can properly pay tribute to the former Celtic winger Jimmy Johnston, who died earlier this week.

The Rangers Supporters' Assembly were outraged that Hearts have reduced their ticket allocation from 3500 to 2100, but their president has now decreed that the pre-match period should be focused on Johnston, who lost his long battle with motor neurone disease on Monday.

Meanwhile, Hearts have overcome a significant hurdle in the redevelopment of Tynecastle stadium after Edinburgh Council approved their plan to move the local nursery.

In a report to the Scottish Executive, the council have passed Hearts' proposals to fund the relocation of Tynecastle nursery to land owned by the club on Wheatfield Street.

The move could be completed by August this year, allowing Hearts to buy up land on McLeod Street necessary to facilitate the rebuilding of their main stand at a cost of £1.8 million.

The nursery had been the major stumbling block to Hearts' intentions of a new stand, with the council already willing to create space for the project by tearing down McLeod Street's adult education centre and rebuilding Tynecastle High School across the street.

The report states: "Hearts will fund the temporary relocation of the nursery school as agreement has been reached on this option purely to meet the timescale needs of the football club. The whole surplus site, of which the nursery site forms just under half, has been valued at £1.8m."

Hearts still face a race against time if they are to formulate and submit a planning application for their proposed new stand in time for work to begin at the end of this season, but the approval of their plans for the nursery is a crucial factor in the process.

Defender Christophe Berra played for the Scotland Future side last night as they lost 3-2 to Turkey in Inverness.

Taken from the Scotsman