Win or bust for Rangers as Tynecastle trip looms large
While Rohl's desire to banish any negativity is understandable, the elation in Edinburgh at the moment - at least around Gorgie – is palpable. Hearts have a very handy cushion over both of the big Glasgow teams, leading Celtic by three points and Rangers by four. Defending champions Celtic could go level on points with Hearts if they follow the league leaders' example and beat Hibernian at Easter Road in next Sunday's noon kick-off.
A point or all three for the men in maroon would keep them clear at the top with just three games left. Victory would surely eliminate Rangers from the running as well, at least according to former Tynecastle defender Allan Preston. "Four games to go," Preston told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.
"Rangers to come a week on Monday. Hearts could put them out of the title race at Tynecastle, where they're unbeaten this season. " Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd told Sky Sports things are now distilling quite clearly for his former side.
"Rangers are under huge pressure to go to Tynecastle and win," said Boyd. "Rangers have to go there and win or it's done. "Celtic will be sitting at home buzzing about that result at Ibrox.
Hearts have found another way to go and win a game of football and ask questions of Glasgow's big two. " Rangers simply gave themselves too much to do against a Motherwell side who arguably played some of their best football of the season in a spell-binding first 45 minutes. Given Rohl made three half-time substitutions, it's also clear he may have picked the wrong team.