We're ready if Hearts skip a beat

THOMAS BUFFEL reckons Rangers can catch Hearts - if they forget about the race for second place.

The Rangers midfielder hopes to help Alex McLeish's side make up the three-point lead the Tynecastle outfit currently hold - although their better goal difference effectively means Gers' need to pull back four points.

But Buffel believes the best chance Rangers have of making the Champions League a possibility next season is to take each game as it comes.

Supporters are already eagerly awaiting the final game of the season at Ibrox against Hearts, however, the little playmaker isn't looking any further ahead than Aberdeen on Saturday.

He said: "Nothing will be decided this week or next week, it will be after the five matches, so we know what we have to do.

"Hearts do have a better goal difference and it may be that we need to make up four points to overtake them.

"But we will be trying to score as many times as we can in these remaining matches so that may not be an issue in the end. It will be hard but we firmly believe we can do it."

The Belgian international is aware that Rangers' clash with Hearts on May 7 looks like being the decider.

He added: "All the remaining games are going to be tough but I think we have to try and be clinical in front of goal and convert the half-chances that come our way, too.

"We play Hearts on the last day of the season and if things stay the same that will be like a cup final. But so much can happen before that. If we drop points in the other matches then it will mean nothing.

"So we are taking it one game at a time and we'll deal with that Hearts match when it comes around. We know what we can do and although we have three consecutive away games, that is something we have to deal with."

Buffel knows that Rangers must defeat Aberdeen for the first time this season to keep the pressure on Hearts.

But he is confident the form his team-mates are in at the moment means they have every chance of doing so.

Also, the former Feyenoord man doesn't feel Aberdeen are as tough to beat when they aren't playing at Pittodrie.

He said: "Confidence is high just now, we've had a few good wins recently and we are looking forward to the matches ahead.

"There are five games left and hopefully we can perform well in all of those fixtures.

"We play Aberdeen at home next and just now that is the most important of the five matches. They are a good team but, as I said, I think playing away from home makes a big difference to them.

"At home, they are really tough to beat and although we drew 0-0 with them at Ibrox back on November 5, we were going through a sticky spell at that time.

"If we can continue with our better form this weekend, though, I feel we can definitely get a victory.

"It is not great for us because we haven't won against them this season and that is not a nice feeling for us."

Speaking in the Rangers News, he added: "We have come from so far back - 16 points at one stage - against Hearts that we definitely believe we can make up those final few points in the coming weeks.

"We want to be able to use the experience we gained in the Champions League next season, which is why finishing second is so important to everyone at the football club."


Taken from Evening Times