Rangers' season may effectively over in terms of trophies and final league positions but right now, each match is vitally important for manager Pedro Caixinha.

The Portuguese has had a tough time since he's come into the club, having to deal with heavy defeats, inadequate draws, dressing room disharmony and even leaks from the training ground.

None of it paints a pretty picture but what's sure is that if he keeps winning, he'll soon turn the doubters around, he'll get fans on board and an air of optimism will return to Ibrox.

It all threatened to go off the rails last week at Partick Thistle, but two late goals salvaged things and they now head into Saturday's match with Hearts hopeful of three points.

Ian Cathro's side are struggling themselves and for the Gers it's an opportunity to make a statement that they are heading in the right direction after that double defeat to Celtic.

Here are three changes the Ibrox boss must make for the visit of the Jam Tarts...

Barrie McKay in for Martyn Waghorn

Having been under par for what feels like months now, you get the sense Barrie McKay is returning to the sort of effective attacking midfielder that won him such high praise from supporters earlier in the season.

His introduction at Firhill changed the game and gave Rangers the vital attacking outlet they needed to claw their way back from 1-0 down. McKay of course got the vital equaliser that allowed them to push on for a stoppage time winner and it was a cameo that is surely enough to convince Pedro Caixinha to give him a start against Hearts.

Martyn Waghorn has been poor for most of the season and despite being the club's top scorer, hasn't carried much goal threat recently.

Jamie Barjonas in for Jason Holt

Jamie Barjonas made his first team debut for Rangers last week against Partick Thistle, coming off the bench halfway through the second half with the scoreline at 1-0 to Thistle. The 18 year old didn't look out of place one bit in the heart of the Rangers midfield.

Now he has that experience under his belt, he deserves to show what he can do from the start in front of his own fans at Ibrox.

The Rangers midfield has underperformed all season and there is absolutely no harm in Pedro Caixinha testing the ability of the young players available to him, when the pressure is off.

Barjonas has performed well for the U20s all season but it's only through first team action that Caixinha will find out whether he has what it takes to make an impact next season.

Clint Hill in for Danny Wilson

Danny Wilson limped out of last week's match at Partick Thistle and looks like he is set to miss out on the rest of the season and, as reported by The Scotsman, may even miss out on the start of next season.

That's a blow that Pedro Caixinha will need to find a solution to in the summer, but in the short-term the answer is obvious - Clint Hill. The veteran defender may not be staying at Ibrox past the end of the season but he's the steadiest hand that can come in and perform alongside youngster David Bates against Hearts.

He's undoubtedly been the Gers best defender this season and may even turn out to be an improvement on if Wilson had started.

He has the experience and knowledge to cope with what Hearts throw at Rangers. Ian Cathro's side will no doubt fancy a result in order to give them confidence heading into the summer and in what is expected to be an open game, Hill will be vital in protecting the Light Blues' goal.