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By CALUM CROWE Published: 16: 00 AEST, 13 September 2025 | Updated: 16: 00 AEST, 13 September 2025 View comments In normal circumstances, the prevailing mood among Hearts supporters would be one of pessimism and trepidation ahead of a trip to Ibrox. It is a venue which has been a graveyard for so many Hearts teams over the years. Digging through the stats and numbers, positive outcomes have been incredibly rare. By the time they renew hostilities with Rangers this afternoon, it will be 4, 052 days since Hearts last tasted victory in Govan. That was a 2-1 triumph on the opening day of the season back in 2014 when both teams were languishing in the Championship. Over the past 25 years, Hearts have won only three of 46 matches at Ibrox. Take it back a little further, it’s six wins in the past 40 years in total. For a club of their stature, it’s a dreadful record. But, in the here and now, these are far from normal circumstances. Hearts will travel along the M8 this afternoon with renewed belief and confidence under Derek Mc Innes. Hearts manager Derek Mc Innes has yet to taste defeat in the Premiership this season Make your 7 picks by 12. 30pm every Saturday to win £1, 000* Manchester City V Manchester United *18+, excludes NI. Terms and conditions apply Tony Bloom believes that the Edinburgh giants have the potential to be title contenders Osman Sow (left) got on the score sheet the last time Hearts won at Ibrox back in 2014 An unbeaten start to the new season, with three wins and a draw from their opening four games, saw Mc Innes named Premiership Manager of the Month for August. His team sit level on points with Celtic at the top of the table. If they can go to Ibrox and win today, it would open up a yawning nine-point gap on Rangers. Suddenly, those bold claims from Tony Bloom about splitting the Old Firm clubs a few weeks ago won’t seem so outlandish after all. On the contrary, if Hearts were to take three points, ambitions of merely splitting the big two and disrupting the natural order of Scottish football would need to be recalibrated. For this could be a day when they make a huge statement and underline their credentials as potential title challengers under Mc Innes. Opportunity knocks. It is now 20 years since Hearts came flying out of the blocks, unbeaten and sitting top of the league after 10 matches, only to inexplicably sack George Burley. That remains one of the great sliding doors moments in Scottish football. What would have happened had Vladimir Romanov not decided to get rid of Burley? Hearts still went on to finish second that season, finishing a point ahead of Rangers, but the wheels came off with regards to a title challenge and they eventually wound up 17 points adrift of Celtic. Rangers are low on confidence having drawn each of their first four league fixtures Any time a non-Old Firm club is mentioned as title contenders, there is a natural reticence in Scottish football. That is understandable, given that 1985 was the last time either Celtic or Rangers did not win the league. But in the 40 years which have passed, has there ever been a time when both clubs have been mired in such a state of crisis at the same time? It is difficult to recall a season where they have both been so vulnerable. This should embolden Mc Innes and his players. Bloom’s vision could yet be realised far quicker than anyone envisaged. For a man whose fortune and wealth extends to horse racing, Bloom’s investment in Hearts has made them the dark horses for a run at the title this season. During his time as manager of Aberdeen, Mc Innes won three times at Ibrox. He is well aware that, for opposing teams, it is a venue which demands character and personality. ‘I do think it’s more than just the performance that’s required, ’ said Mc Innes earlier this week. ‘I think it’s personality, aggression, confidence. Playing with b***ocks. ‘I don’t know how many of my players have won there [at Ibrox], but I think it’s important that they act as if they know how to win there and behave that way. It’s important that we just back ourselves wherever it is. ‘Our record is not great there as a club. But this is a different squad and a different game. We need a positive mindset. Before a ball is even kicked, you need to have confidence that we’re going to get a result. ’ Lawrence Shankland looks back to his old self after a frustrating campaign last time out The fact both Old Firm clubs are in such a state of disarray at the same time could well be a perfect storm for Hearts and Mc Innes. What also works in their favour is the fact they do not have European football. Unlike Celtic and Rangers, they can focus their efforts entirely on an assault on the domestic front. Since taking charge in the summer, Mc Innes has been backed handsomely in the transfer market. In total, the club have made 11 new signings.   Hearts broke their transfer record to sign Brazilian midfielder Ageu for a fee of around £1. 7million. Backed by Bloom’s Jamestown Analytics, the expectation is that Hearts will unearth a few hidden gems. Ageu won’t play against Rangers due to a slight injury, but there is talent spread throughout the squad. Hearts spent just shy of a combined £1m to bring attackers Claudio Braga and Elton Kabangu to the club. Braga is already a firm fans’ favourite, with six goals in nine games. To the tune of Radio Ga Ga by Queen, he might also have the best song in all of Scottish football at the moment. One of Mc Innes’ most trusted lieutenants from their time together at Kilmarnock, Stuart Findlay has been a solid addition at centre-back, as well as an unlikely source of goals. Findlay scored in a 2-0 win over Aberdeen on the opening weekend. He then followed that with two goals — including a last-minute winner — in a 3-2 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice. Claudio Braga is already a firm favourite of the Tynecastle faithful since arriving in the summer Lawrence Shankland’s form has improved as well. After looking unfit and disinterested last season, and very nearly leaving the club in the summer, four goals in eight games represents a solid start to the campaign. With Bojan Miovski now playing up front for Rangers, the battle between these two naturally gifted finishers could be pivotal to today’s outcome. In season 2023-24 Shankland and Miovski were the two most lethal strikers in the country. They scored 40 goals between them. Shankland was named PFA Scotland Player of the Year, whilst Miovski earned himself a £6. 7m move to La Liga with Girona. Last season was effectively a write-off for both players, but they both look re-energised and seeking to make the most of a fresh start in the new campaign. Come 5pm this evening, Hearts’ credentials as title challengers will be a lot clearer. If they are serious about breaking up the duopoly of Scottish football, this is a game they can — and perhaps should — win. With the Nico Raskin affair continuing to cast a cloud over Rangers, as well as the dreadful early-season form, under Russell Martin, Hearts will never have a better opportunity than this. It is a chance to demonstrate that they are the real deal under Mc Innes. For any neutral observers in Scottish football, the prospect of a non-Old Firm title challenge is highly intriguing.

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