Neilson says Rangers are in Hearts' sights

BARRY ANDERSON
HEARTS full-back Robbie Neilson today issued a stark warning to Rangers ahead of this weekend's meeting between the clubs: "You're in for a hell of a fight at Tynecastle."
Buoyed by Saturday's 2-1 victory over Falkirk, Hearts' fourth consecutive win, Neilson expects a stirring encounter when third meets second in the SPL, pointing out that Csaba Laszlo's side are enjoying their best vein of form since the days of George Burley.

"Rangers will come here at the weekend and they know they'll be in for a game," said Neilson. "We are hitting a bit of form and they will try to get in about us and press us back.

"As long as we're strong and organised with Christian Nade up front and Andy Driver hitting form, we are capable of producing the same as we did against Falkirk.

"Last time we won four games on the bounce was under George Burley at the start of the 2005/06 season. It's not quite the same results we're getting but it's points on the board and that's all that matters.

"Everyone is beating everyone else in the league and if you can go on a run like this, you start moving away from teams. We are now in third place, three points ahead of Dundee United, and, the way the league is, it will take them a while to claw that back on us.

"They aren't going to win every week, we aren't going to win every week, so the bigger the gap the more secure our position is."

Driver scored the winning goal against Falkirk, a mesmerising individual effort that saw him evade challenges from four opponents before slotting the ball into the net.

"Earlier this year I don't think I would have been confident enough to score that goal but the way Csaba manages helps get the best out of players," he said.

"He has done a lot of one-to-one talking with me, for example, and explained exactly what he wants me to do. He does it with others and it's those personal gestures that help pull the team together.

"It's bringing results because football is a confidence game.

"I don't think many people expected us to be third at this stage but it's easier to put a shift in when you know your mate is there to back you up.

"We all know exactly where we're supposed to be on the pitch and that surely can't be detrimental."

Meanwhile, Larry Kingston has returned to training after his international absence.

Taken from the Scotsman