Garang Kuol is gone and Hearts look more fragile now than when they last visited Ibrox. Nonetheless, the Edinburgh club still derive confidence from drawing 2-2 there against Rangers in May.

Kuol, the teenage Australian striker, scored a 90th-minute equaliser that night in the last act of a five-month loan from Newcastle United. He is now on loan at Dutch Eredivisie side Volendam, whilst Hearts are still striving to reach full potential as they prepare to face Rangers again.

Steven Naismith, interim head coach in May, is now in charge permanently. He believes aspects of the last trip to Govan can stand his team in good stead in Glasgow this Sunday.

“The way the game can go and flow, we were good in possession at times in that game. We didn’t let them trap us and then just kick it long. We didn’t just defend in our own box,” he recalled. “There was loads of control within the game, even out of possession. There was no panic and that’s a big thing.

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