- Lawrence Shankland has acknowledged that a Hearts on Monday win kills Rangers title hopes
- The Hearts striker wants his team to secure the three points to create a two-horse race
- He admits to “natural” nerves within the Hearts camp, following emotional derby experience
Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland wants Rangers eliminated from the SPFL title race equation to create a two-horse race.
With the league heading for its final approach, the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year nominee knows a win for Hearts on Monday will all but kill off any chances of a 56th league flag at Ibrox.
Shankland has spoken of a cup final to the Bank Holiday showdown, knowing that if his team succeeds, their chances of glory are increased.
Lawrence Shankland on the opportunity ahead for Hearts
As things stand, Hearts have a three-point lead over Celtic and a four-point cushion over Rangers.
They have the luxury of being able to absorb a defeat against Danny Rohl’s team, but that would mean their first home loss of the season.
The extent of the task is clear for this inconsistent Rangers side.
As detailed by STV, Shankland said that the upcoming fixture: “does have a wee bit of a cup-final feel about it.
“If we were to win, it would become pretty difficult for Rangers to win the league just based on the amount of games left to play.
“If it becomes a two-horse race after that, you’ve got even more chance of winning it. So it’ll be a big game, the build-up to it will be huge.
“If it’s a game we win, we increase our chances of winning the league. That’s the most important thing for us.”
Celtic advantage
Hearts go into Game 35 knowing they have already beaten Rangers home and away this season, while they have managed the same feat against Celtic.
30-year-old Shankland continued, “What Celtic do have is the experience. Obviously, winning leagues in the past, that’s something they do have up on us.
“We’ve had a lot of success against the teams we’re about to play in the remaining games of the season. We’ve got a good points return against them.
“We just need to continue to do that, bring the best version of us, and we can win games, we’ve shown that.”
Nerves and emotion within the Hearts camp
On the question of pressure, the Scotland international was honest in his assessment of the last two games, including the emotional derby victory over 9-man Hibs last week.
“There’s nerves, it’s only natural,” he said.
“The position you’re in, and what the club and the team can achieve, nerves are normal at this stage. It’s just about remaining calm and finding the moment.”
“The emotions of the derby are always there, but Sunday was obviously pretty heightened.
Read Rangers analysis
The situation that Shankland describes is similar for both teams.
Monday’s mammoth clash is about who handles the pressure best and which team can deliver in the heat of the moment.
Hearts’ task is aided by home advantage and a vociferous home crowd that will roar on their team.
Rangers simply must be set up and switched on from the start to give themselves the best chance in a game where only a win will do.
It shouldn’t have been this way, but last weekend’s loss to Motherwell has ramped up the pressure and now there’s only one way to respond.
