Falkirk and Queen of the South, who won at Hibs yesterday and play Rangers on Thursday, are still very much in the picture, which is hugely impressive given the gulf in resources to the 'big three' in the division.

At kick-off today, the Bairns were just three points off second place, although they have played one more game than Hibs and three more than Rangers. Queens are two points behind Falkirk and have a game in hand.

Hearts were 2-0 winners when the teams met at Tynecastle in November, Jason Holt and Jamie Walker on target after a first-half red card for Rangers' Stevie Smith. Can the visitors recover from a two-goal deficit against 10 men today?

The Glasgow side will be back in Gorgie for their final league fixture in what promises to be a tight race for play-off places.

Image source, SNS Group

Rangers have bossed the first 45 minutes with a high-tempo performance full of good movement and aggression, with Kenny Miller and Haris Vuckic knocking in two good goals. However, captain Lee McCulloch has undone some of that good work with a stupid red card.

The captain has really let the side down there with an ugly challenge. Rangers had all the momentum but that is sure to set them back.

Rangers skipper Lee McCulloch is sent for an early bath after leading with an elbow in an aerial challenge with Osman Sow.

Rangers just keep coming forward and Hearts look a little bewildered. The visitors are not used to getting the runaround like this...

Image source, SNS Group

Rangers doubled their lead in style as play is switched quickly from the left to Dean Shiels in a central area and he slips a pass to Haris Vuckic on the right. The Slovenian dips a shoulder to beat his man and arrows a shot into the far corner.

A dreadful kick clear from Cammy Bell goes straight to Jamie Walker but the Rangers goalkeeper redeems himself with a smart save low at his near post.

Hearts defender Alim Ozturk lines up a long-range free-kick, with Cammy Bell punching it clear. Sam Nicholson picks up the scraps on the edge of the box and fires narrowly wide.

Can Hearts respond? The ball breaks to Genero Zeefuik on the edge of the penalty area but the striker is slow to react and is quickly closed down.

Nicky Law strides forward and lays a pass to the overlapping Lee Wallace, who fires in a low cross for Kenny Miller to sweep home from a central position 10 yards out.

The furious pace shows no sign of dropping as Rangers continue to snap and snarl into challenges but the hosts have not been able to test visiting keeper Neil Alexander since Nicky Law's early shot.

Both sets of fans burst into a prolonged period of applause in memory of the late Sandy Jardine, who represented both clubs and Scotland with great distinction.

Jamie Walker cuts inside from the left flank and lets fly from around 25 yards. The ball skips narrowly wide of the post, with Rangers keeper Cammy Bell at full-stretch.

Beaten only once in the league this season, Hearts insist there will be no let-up as they aim to establish new points and goals records for the second tier.

Hibernian picked up 89 points when running away with the title in 1999. Hearts are eight points shy of that mark, with six games to go. Could they get another 14 goals in those six matches to reach the 100 mark?

Hearts play a smart short corner, with Jamie Walker slaloming his way into the penalty area but Lee McCulloch gets his foot in just as the midfielder pulls the trigger.

Hearts striker Osman Sow gets his long legs going to gallop into the penalty area from a central position and it needs a great sliding challenge from Darren McGregor to stop him in his tracks.

Rangers really have the bit between their teeth, hunting the ball down in packs, and playing at a ferocious tempo.

bringthemonjpn: "Going by the Rangers starting lineup they are looking to pound things out in a heavy midfield."

BBC Scotland's Richard Wilson at Ibrox

"Hearts fans are already enjoying the occasion at Ibrox. This is a moment for them to revel in, but the team will not lose its focus. The champions are intent on maintaining their form, while Rangers have an opportunity to move above Hibs and back into second place. Can Stuart McCall's team continue their improvement? They will have to if they are to take any points off a strong Hearts side."