Managers play down Tynecastle tie

Team news

Both managers are playing down the significance of Saturday's meeting between SPL leaders Hearts and Rangers.

The Edinburgh side are five points clear of second placed Celtic, with Rangers a further three behind.

"The league is not won in September," said Rangers manager Alex McLeish. "There is a long way to go and there will be points dropped."

Hearts boss George Burley added: "Even if they go 11 points behind, I'm sure they'll think they can win the title."

Hearts have won all seven league games but slipped to their first defeat of the season with a CIS Insurance Cup loss at Livingston on Wednesday.

"I would rather be in my position than Rangers' and it will make it difficult for them if we win," said Burley.

There is extra pressure but I think you only have to look at how we have handled the bigger games Alex McLeish

"But nothing is going to be decided in this game. It won't change their thoughts whether we win, lose or draw.

"But they will be looking to try and close the gap on us sooner rather than later, so this is a big game for them.

"We are not even a quarter of the way through the season yet.

"It's a one-off game and just three points like any other game.

"We are playing against a team who are, maybe, still the title favourites, but it's not about one-off games - it's where you finish at the end of the season that counts."

Rangers have already lost to Aberdeen and Hibs and drawn away to Falkirk in the league.

And McLeish knows Hearts will provide a stern test for the defending champions.

"Falling 11 points behind would put a lot of pressure on us in terms of catching up," said the Rangers boss.

Rangers travel to Edinburgh eight points behind Hearts

"We're capable of doing it - we`ve done it in the past - but I would like to think we can give Hearts problems and something to think about over the coming weeks."

McLeish is taking heart from his side's performances in other big games this season - the Old Firm derby win and the Champions League success over Porto.

"There is extra pressure but I think you only have to look at how we have handled the bigger games," he continued. "We have done well.

"The irony is that the games we were expected to do better in we have under-achieved and hopefully that will be significant.

"Hearts are a good side. They have a great solid base, which George inherited, and the players he has built around that unit have been very impressive.

"When you go on a run like they have you start wondering when you will drop points and you start to have wee doubts.

"It's only human and we hope we can put the doubts in their head for the next part of the campaign."