Hearts vs Rangers LIVE team news and build-up ahead of the Premiership clash

Hearts will be top of the tree at Christmas but Rangers'long term aim is to knock them off their perch.

Derek McInnes and his Jambos have been the success story in the first half of the Scottish Premiership season.

Not since Aberdeen in 1993 has a non-Old Firm side been at the summit of Scotland's top flight on December 25.

Hearts held the position themselves two years earlier but neither were able to remain there at the end of the season.

It means Aberdeen are still the last team outside of Scottish football's Big Two to lift the title 40 years ago.

Hearts have put themselves into a great position to end that long wait with champions Celtic faltering in recent weeks.

Rangers looked down and out after a disastrous start under Russell Martin but Danny Rohl has managed to breathe new life into them.

There is so much riding on today's Tynecastle clash and you can follow every kick right here in our LIVE blog.

Rangers are big odds with Boyle Sports for a victory at Tynecastle.

It's rare that the Light Blues would be this kind of price for a domestic game outside of an Old Firm derby.

Have the bookies called this one right? We'll find out very shortly.

Hearts 20/23

Draw 12/5

Rangers 13/5

Neil McCann expects Hearts to be more than ready for Rangers as they bid to move 12 points clear at the top of the Premiership.

But the pundit reckons his other former club Gers are definitely in with a shout of winning the championship if they can become the first team to defeat the Jambos at Tynecastle this season.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he said:

I expect Hearts to handle the challenge. They are starting to look a bit comfortable where they are and they know everybody is going to come shooting for them. This is the big one,