Preview: Rangers vs Hearts – stats, team news, line-ups

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·14 February 2026

Preview: Rangers vs Hearts – stats, team news, line-ups

The Scottish Premiership title race takes a different turn as Heart of Midlothian and Rangers go head-to-head in a decisive top-of-the-table clash at Ibrox Stadium.

Both sides head into this clash with four points between them, although a win for Hearts will take them one step closer to ending the Glasgow clubs’ stranglehold on the Premiership.

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Rangers fans have been put through an emotional rollercoaster throughout the 2025/26 campaign. Yet it could still end with a first league title since the 2020/21 season.

The Gers kicked off the campaign in terrible form as they failed to find any rhythm or confidence under Russell Martin’s leadership.

They won just one of their first eight league games (D6, L1) and also suffered a gut-wrenching exit from the Champions League qualifiers, which only worsened the gloom around Ibrox.

Performances were flat and lacked any conviction. Results were nonexistent, and belief began to fade.

It didn’t take long for Rangers to cut Martin loose and turn to German tactician Danny Rohl. The 36-year-old didn’t have the softest landing, winning just two of his first five games in charge (L3).

Unsurprisingly, murmurs of discontent began to grow across Ibrox, but unlike his predecessor, Rohl found a way to turn things around.

The German manager has since lost just three of his subsequent 22 games in charge across all competitions (W14, D5).

That remarkable upturn in performances and results also sent Rangers shooting up the Premiership table after winning nine of their 12 league games (D2, L1).

Now sitting second on 52 points, Rangers trail leaders Heart by five points.

Rohl has made it clear that his side need to “take the opportunity” as a win could cut that gap to two and turn a difficult season into a genuine title challenge.

Meanwhile, Hearts have a golden opportunity to tighten their grip at the Premiership summit by claiming all three points against Rangers this weekend.

The Jambos are looking to become the first team outside Glasgow to win the Premiership in over four decades, and Tony Bloom’s investment has played a massive role in their title challenge.

The Brighton & Hove Albion owner has transformed Hearts’ transfer strategy, using a data-led approach to level the playing field despite spending only a fraction of the outlay from their title rivals.

Hearts centre-back Craig Halkett has made it clear that his side will “try and win the game” on Sunday, claiming the Jambos are heading into the fixture with the same mindset as every other match.

A win would stretch their lead at the top to eight points, giving them real breathing space heading into the run-in and that kind of result could spur them to the title.

However, Hearts have stuttered in recent weeks, with Derek McInnes’ side winning just two of their last five games in all competitions.

There has been one defeat and two draws in that run, including a painful cup exit on penalties to Falkirk.

That dip in form comes after a remarkable run of results that had seen Hearts claim 19 wins from their previous 27 games, while posting only two defeats (D6).

Despite that run, Hearts will head into the potential title-decider brimming with confidence following their dramatic 1-0 win over Hibernian in midweek.

A last minute goal from Tomas Magnusson kept their title challenge alive and that could spark further belief ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster clash with Rangers.

Their away form also offers comfort. No team in the Scottish Premiership has earned more points on the road this season.

And when they last visited Ibrox, a Lawrence Shankland double secured a confident 2-0 win, which proves they can rise to the occasion.