Barry Ferguson believes Rangers can challenge Celtic for the title

Follow us on Google Discover

Rangers play host to Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday afternoon.

Rangers legend Barry Ferguson has claimed in his Daily Record column that his former side will throw themselves into the midst of a Scottish Premiership title race on one condition – they must beat Hearts on Saturday afternoon.

Graeme Murty’s side face a Hearts side at Ibrox that have come on leaps and bounds under Craig Levein, with their highlight of the season easily being a 4-0 win over Old Firm rivals Celtic to end the Hoops’ unbeaten domestic run.

Sitting in second place and nine points behind Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic, Rangers can reduce the gap to six before the Hoops travel to Aberdeen on Sunday afternoon – in what will be a tough fixture after their Europa League loss to Zenit.

Ferguson urged his old side to go and earn all three points against Hearts in order to conjure up a late title race with their bitter rivals, with Aberdeen also in the mix if they can beat Celtic on Sunday.

“Rangers must grasp the chance to pile the pressure on Celtic this weekend or talk of a title challenge is over for another year,” Ferguson said. “The game against Hearts tomorrow represents their last chance to lay down a marker to Celtic.

“If Rangers win and Celtic slip up against the Dons, they could be just six points behind the reigning champions heading into the business end of the season. Stranger things have happened.

“Rangers – and Aberdeen – would at least give themselves a chance and it will be interesting to see how Brendan Rodgers’ side respond to being asked a question no-one has asked them in the domestic game over the last 18 months.”

Rangers will be favourites of earning all three points at Ibrox on Saturday, after winning seven of their last nine league and cup outings which has also included a 0-0 draw against Celtic.

Taking four points from two matches against Levein’s side, Rangers will be confident of another win but they could be without a number of first-team stars due to injury.

Ryan Jack and Graham Dorrans remain sidelined with long-term issues, while Jordan Rossiter, Bruno Alves, Ross McCrorie and Lee Wallace are all doubts after long lay-offs ahead of Saturday’s clash.