Rangers v Hearts: Preview

He missed the Bank of Scotland Premier League opener at Motherwell through suspension and had to settle for a substitute`s appearance in their last two games against Dundee United and Dunfermline.

But he is determined to win back his place in the top team for the showdown with Hearts.

``I'm desperate to get back in and hopefully I've shown enough in training to get back in,'' he said.

``But I'll have to wait and see what the manager chooses.``I knew I would have to be patient when I was suspended for the first game and that I might have to bide my time if the guys who came in did well.

``The boys who have been in the side have done well so I've no complaints.``I've been on the bench the last couple of games and I'm looking to get back into the team now.

``But if it means I've got to wait another couple of weeks then I'll be ready as soon as I do come in.

``There's a lot of competition up front which is good for Rangers. As long as we keep all the strikers on their toes we should have no problem putting the ball in the net.''

Rangers have been held to a draw in their last two games but Boyd - last season's top goalscorer with 37 goals - is confident he is the man to score against Hearts if he starts.

He told the club's official website, www.rangers.co.uk: ``I think it's important we get back to winning ways.

``We know it's not going to be an easy game but hopefu

lly we can pick up the three points and get back towards the top of the table.

``I'm always confident going into games that I can score. I think with the quality of the players we've got here we're always going to create chances so it's just up to me to get in to the box.

``If I'm not playing then I want the other strikers to score because we need to win every game.''

Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas hit back at fresh allegations suggesting majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov is involved in team matters and retorted: ``I'm no puppet.''

Former Jambos midfielder Lee Johnson, in a parting shot after leaving Tynecastle to join Bristol City this week, claimed that Romanov was behind many of the team selections and substitutions at the Gorgie club.

Speculation of this nature has dogged Ivanauskas since he took over from Graham Rix towards the end of last season.

Rix and his predecessor, George Burley, also had to deal with rumours that the de facto owner of the club tried to directly influence team selections.

But an exasperated Ivanauskas was at pains to stress his autonomy at the Edinburgh club.

Asked directly if he was merely Romanov's puppet, Ivanauskas replied: ``No, I am not a puppet.''

When quizzed on Romanov's alleged involvement with team selection, Ivanauskas continued: ``If you are in the stand or not at the game then there is no chance to pick the team or make changes.

``And it is not possible to take directions from the stand from Mr Romanov.

``Every decision is mine. I pick the team, it is my team.

``Every player is unhappy when they leave their club, it is not a new situation for me but Lee Johnson is just one player.

``But I'm the manager and I pick the team. I know what I do.

``Lee Johnson has left the club but he was here a very short time.

``Lee was a very professional player, football was his life and I wish him good luck at Bristol City.''

Ivanauskas reiterated his own sense of independence and power at the Edinburgh club when introducing new signing Marius Zaliukas who arrived on loan from FBK Kaunas this week.

The Jambos boss said: ``Marius was my signing.

``He is a young player and he has a big chance to play top football.

``He needs to adapt to Scottish football but he is strong and so he has a big, big future.

``He can play in a couple of positions but his best position is in midfield.''

Zaliukas, who appeared somewhat perplexed at the line of questioning his new boss had to deal with, backed up Ivanauskas saying: ``I never spoke to Mr Romanov (about signing for Hearts).

``Coming to Hearts is a big chance for me. It is a big step up.''

Paul Hartley returns to the Jambos squad after recovering from a groin injury and Ivanauskas welcomed the Scotland midfielder back into the fold.

He said: ``Paul is fit and that's good news.''