Hearts' interim manager Austin MacPhee tells BBC Scotland: "We've had two days in essence, so we've had to microwave a whole week and we've tried to do that as best as we can. We've changed a couple of small things and I believe the players have got the message and understand the gameplan and I have confidence they can carry it out.

"We've made some changes to how we want to try and play, we want to make sure we have firepower later in the game. We have three front players but also four on the bench. We want to be able to try to maintain our attacking threat for the 90 minutes.

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"Uche Ikpeazu has been incredible against Rangers, but mainly in the first 30 minutes - I want to make sure at the key stages of the game we can cause them problems.

"Once the game becomes more open, that's far better for him and, in the early stages of the game, we want to try to get a hold of the ball."

Hearts caretaker Austin MacPhee was little known as a player in his homeland, playing college soccer for Wilmington Seahawks after coming through the youth ranks with Forfar Athletic and having spells in Romania with Dacia Unirea Braila and in Japan with Kariya.

He also began his coaching career in unfashionable surroundings as boss of amateurs Cupar Hearts before his ability at a Uefa coaching course brought him to the attention of Danny Lennon, who hired him as assistant at Cowdenbeath.

He followed Lennon to St Mirren and was subsequently part of Mexico's backroom team for the 2014 World Cup finals and has been combining his role at Hearts with being Michael O'Neill's assistant with Northern Ireland.

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MacPhee initially joined Hearts as assistant to another up-and-coming new breed of coach - Ian Cathro - but stayed in post after Craig Levein stepped down from his director of football role after the former Newcastle United assistant was sacked.

Lennon credited MacPhee for the tactical plan that secured St Mirren a shock win over Celtic in the League Cup semi-final of 2013. Can he mastermind something similar against Rangers today?

Neil McCann
Former Hearts & Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

Rangers have met Hearts in three previous League Cup semi-finals - going on to lift the trophy each time.

They last met in the League Cup in 2008, when the Glasgow side prevailed 2-0 to progress to the final thanks to goals from Barry Ferguson and Jean-Claude Darcheville. Rangers went on to beat Dundee United on penalties in the final after a 2-2 draw.

Rangers beat Hearts 1-0 in 2003 before overcoming Cetlic 2-1.

The Ibrox side also defeated Hearts 3-0 in 1988 before a 3-2 win over Aberdeen.

Over and above that, Rangers got the better of Hearts in the 1996 final after a 4-3 thriller.

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It's the general belief that Northern Irishman Stephen Robinson is a prime target for Hearts considering the job he has been doing at Motherwell.

But a six-figure compensation fee could be a stumbling block and Hearts have today insisted they have no preferred candidate to succeed Craig Levein as manager and will take their time to make appointment.

Our man about Edinburgh, Brian McLauchlin, has just told Sportsound that he does not expect Austin MacPhee to be in the running for the job at this stage, but a few good results - starting today - could change all that.

Played five, lost five, scored none, conceded 10. BBC Scotland has highlighted Rangers' dismal recent record in domestic cup semi-finals.

Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

Think you are an expert on previous cup ties between Hearts and Rangers? Click the link below to prove it.

Scotland goalkeeper Allan McGregor is fit enough to start for Rangers in place of Wes Foderingham after missing the midweek 4-0 win over Ross County.

Former Liverpool winger Ryan Kent and Northern Ireland midfielder Steven Davis also come into the side.

Midfield duo Joe Aribo and Scott Arfield drop to the bench.

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Neil McCann
Former Hearts & Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

There's no doubting the importance of Steven Davis, Jermain Defoe and Allan McGregor to Rangers and manager Steven Gerrard is quoted in the Sunday newspapers as saying he is keen to tie all three to new contracts.

It's also suggested by one outlet that Hearts are preparing an approach for Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson and are not put off by the £120,000 compensation fee they would have to pay for the Northern Irishman.

Hearts talisman Steven Naismith is fit enough to make the bench as the former Rangers forward battles back from the hamstring problem that has sidelined the Scotland international for most of the season.

Caretaker boss Austin MacPhee makes a surprise change up front, with Craig Wighton preferred to big Uche Ikpeazu, who is named among the substitutes.

Veteran Republic of Ireland international Glenn Whelan comes into the starting midfield along with Manchester City loanee Ryotaro Meschino.

Loic Damour drops out through suspension, while winger Callumn Morrison drips out of the squad after the 1-0 midweek defeat by St Johnstone.

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The preamble to today's big game is just starting on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

Former Hearts and Rangers winger Neil McCann and former Ibrox striker Billy Dodds provide the expert analysis alongside host Richard Gordon and commentator Liam McLeod.

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Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Helander, Goldson, Barisic, Jack, Davis, Kamara, Ojo, Kent, Morelos.

Substitutes: Foderingham, Katic, Flanagan, Aribo, Barker, Arfield, Defoe.

Heart of Midlothian: Pereira, Smith, White, Berra, Bozanic, Clare, Whelan, Wighton, MacLean, Hickey, Meshino.

Substitutes: Doyle, Walker, Naismith, Ikpeazu, Brandon, Keena, Irving.

A couple of days ago, Steven Gerrard will have been looking forward to his Rangers side facing a Hearts team low in confidence under a manager feeling the pressure of mounting fan criticism.

Instead, he goes into the unknown against an Edinburgh side hoping for a new beginning under caretaker Austin MacPhee following the sacking of Craig Levein.

Will we get the Old Firm final most punters expect after Celtic's demolition of Hibernian yesterday? Or will Hearts benefit from the bounce that so often accompanies a managerial change?

Stay with us for the build-up, live coverage and post-match reaction from the Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.

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