Hearts vs Rangers; Scottish Premiership
Hearts vs Rangers. Scottish Premiership.
TynecastleAttendance16,570.
Hearts v Rangers: Ian Cathro has his three new signings available
Wednesday 1 February 2017 15:11, UK
Hearts boss Ian Cathro will ring the changes for Wednesday's visit of Rangers as he looks to re-ignite the Edinburgh club's fading European hopes.
The under-fire Gorgie chief made a triple swoop on Monday, signing former St Mirren forward Esmael Goncalves as well as the Greek pair of Tasos Avlonitis and Alexandros Tziolis and all three are in his squad to face Mark Warburton's team.
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That brings the number of new recruits for Hearts this month to nine, with the additions offset by the departures of Juanma, Igor Rossi, Alim Ozturk, Tony Watt and Robbie Muirhead as well as long-term injuries suffered by Callum Paterson and John Souttar.
Having won just two of his eight games in charge, Cathro knows it is time for his new-look side to show their mettle.
He said: "I feel we're in a better position but we have a lot of work ahead of us. It's right to say we have had a difficult period but it will be us who resolve that."
Hearts are 11 points adrift of Rangers and nine shy of Aberdeen in third. They did beat Rangers at Tynecastle in November, in what was Robbie Neilson's last match in charge, but the clubs have enjoyed contrasting fortunes since.
Rangers have lost just once in eight in the last two months but they will be without Michael O'Halloran after his red card at Motherwell on Saturday.
On-loan Emerson Hyndman caught the eye at Fir Park and assistant boss David Weir was impressed by the United States international on his first start.
He told the club website: "He has shown why we brought him here and we are fortunate that Eddie Howe trusts us with him. Mark has a good relationship with Eddie and we managed to persuade Bournemouth to allow us to have him.
"He showed exactly what we have known about him for a long time - he is very comfortable on the ball, gets himself into space, keeps it simple and keeps the ball moving."
