Week 2 Hearts preview, part 2

Further to the part one of the preview in which we reviewed Hearts, the approach the Rangers will take is a devilish sort. In-fact, I’ll you tell that Walter Smith must be reveling with the opportunity this match provides as a motivator.

First and foremost, this is a gut-check and if the Gers are made of the mettle I believe they are, they’ll be looking hard at the motivational words of Heart owner Vladimir Romanov to FBK Kaunas prior their Champions League match. Each and every day of this past week this should be reinforced and as you get ready to step on the pitch tomorrow, the message of the day should be pay-back. Swift, hard and not very pretty. This isn’t a boys game and the Rangers have to get off life’s canvass and deliver a tough blow to Hearts. The hardest of hard tackles, nothing left unchallenged and don’t give a blade of grass up. Defensively, Hearts will have problems as the match wears on physically if you are the aggressor. Hearts manager, Csaba Laszlo, desperately likes his squads to control the ball but under a well played tactical match-up that limits their possession, they tend to lose focus and make mental errors, particularly in the back-line. Again, attack the ball and when in possession, slowly build up play with patience, don’t be afraid to crash the box and always be aware that Hearts is susceptible to the counter and aerial attacks. Continue to slowly draw Hearts into the middle in a effort to launch flanking attacks and crosses. Motherwell employed the same strategy last week and if wasn’t for some blown defensive assignments they would have came out with three points. New man Pedro Mendes is available for the match and thankfully David Weir is back.

With it twelve or so hours before the match, I’m breathing fire and ready for this to get going. Rangers faithful, show your support - this one is personal.

Category: Team News

Tags: Team News

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