ECK: SOLID SCOTS ARE AT THE HEARTS OF JAMBOS REVIVAL

ALEX McLEISH last night heaped praise on the Scottish backbone of Hearts for their part in the Jambos success story so far this season.

The Edinburgh side have a great chance of finishing second in the SPL to clinch a Champions League place and are also in the semi-final of the Tennent's Scottish Cup.

Rangers manager McLeish hopes to set them back at Tynecastle today but regardless of the outcome he has been jealous of the defensive consistency shown by the capital team this campaign.

Eck said: "Every game is another challenge for us, the next becoming more important than the last.

"Sunday will be a tough trip to a tough venue and there is a great incentive for both sides.

"Graham Rix has a helluva squad to choose from but I think we know what to expect from Hearts.

"They've had a Scottish backbone all season and great credit must go to Craig Gordon, Steven Pressley, Andy Webster and Robbie Neilson.

"Fyssas has also been a terrific signing for them.

"They've had the stability of the triangle of the keeper and the two central defenders and Neilson has had a tremendous season. That goes a long way to having a real solid unit.

"In many ways it's a consistency of selection I'd love to have had.

"I could offer a dozen reasons why we've been inconsistent this season in the league and played well in the Champions League.

"That would definitely be one of them because we've had to make countless changes to the back four all season."

With nine league games left McLeish (right) reckons his side need eight victories to take second spot from Hearts.

And he believes he can afford to lose today and still claw it back.

Eck said: "If we continue in the form we've been in recently then we can win this game and put pressure on Hearts.

"If we take the three points it will make for an interesting finale.

"For us to get into second place would be a good achievement, it really would.

"Obviously we don't want to lose the match but I don't think going nine points behind Hearts would be insurmountable.

"Last season we were trailing Celtic by five points with just four games to go and still came back to win the league.

"So we know we are capable of clawing back a deficit, we've been through it before and can handle it.

"If we did go nine points behind I would be reminding the players of what happened last time. We must never give up.

"It's just about us playing to a high standard in every game this season and trying to win as many matches as we can.

"Winning eight of nine I reckon would be good enough."

McLeish insisted his players owe him nothing after a poor domestic campaign and should be playing for their own futures.

He said: "The players need to be motivated to do it for their own personal pride and to be a part of the future at this club.

"It's not about doing anything for me but it's about playing to a high standard when wearing a Rangers jersey and winning the game."

Taken from the Sunday Mail