It’s your turn to get ‘Pumped’ – David Potter tells Hearts

One would have to say that tomorrow’s game is about 50/50. We are the better team if we play to our potential, as we did against St Johnstone and Hibs, but the Jambos are top of the League and possibly have the “confidence” factor, boosted to no small extent by the fact that the game is to be played in Edinburgh just “ower the railway fae their ain midden heid” – although no-one in Edinburgh talks like that!

We will miss Scott Brown and Dedryck Boyata. Of that there is little doubt, but then again, they have a few players missing as well and it will all boil down to how our XI on the day play against their XI. Quite a few of our guys are now being called upon to prove themselves. It is hard to over-estimate the importance of this day in the rest of our season.

The “hate” factor will undeniably be there. Albert Kidd may not be there in body, but he will definitely be there in the hearts and minds of the Jambos. So too will all the Rangers songs and chants, sadly heard too often from the chaps who desire to become real bigots. Perhaps the word “apprentice” is suitable here?

But we too have reason to dislike Hearts. The word “pumped” was heard this week. Let is hope that the ill chosen word encourages our players all the more. Crucially we must take our chances, and we must be prepared to shoot (are you reading this Jamesie, Callum and Tom?) from the edge of the box. Thursday night must be forgotten – but then again that is not difficult, for in every sense it was a different team. Tomorrow we play in the green and white, and if all do their duty, there is no reason to doubt that our bhoys will prevail.

David Potter