Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been dealt a big blow as early SFA Cup injury news has emerged on the Glasgow giants' opponents...
What's the talk?
Robbie Neilson has revealed that soon-to-be Gers defender John Souttar and Craig Halkett will both be available for selection on Saturday.
Van Bronckhorst's men come up against Hearts in the final of the Scottish Cup this weekend and both players are poised to be involved.
When asked if they will be in contention to play, he told STV: "Yeah, 100 per cent. We’ve got a bounce game here on Tuesday.
“They’ll get some game time in that and then we’ll make a decision after that.”
Supporters will be frustrated
The Ibrox faithful will be frustrated by this news as Halkett and Souttar being fit comes as a blow to van Bronckhorst's side, as both of them being out would have increased the Gers' chances of winning the trophy.
Rangers know all about Souttar as he is a player who has agreed to move to the club at the end of the campaign on a free transfer. Ironically, his last match for Hearts will be against the team he is moving to, which will make for an interesting subplot on the day if he turns in a less-than-impressive display.
The Scotland international seems unlikely to do that, though, as he has been in terrific form throughout the season for the Jambos. In the Premiership, he has averaged an excellent SofaScore rating of 7.30 across 27 appearances, winning a whopping 71% of his duels.
Halkett is also a defender who will be familiar to Gers supporters as he came up through the youth ranks at Ibrox. He has made a name for himself at Hearts and performed well alongside Souttar - averaging a SofaScore rating of 7.14 across 28 matches in the division.
These statistics prove that both players have been in fine form for the club in the league this season. They have both consistently put in quality displays at the back and have proven that they are able to compete at the top end of the table in the Scottish top-flight, with Souttar doing enough to earn a switch to the Glasgow giants, and that is why their involvement is a big blow for the Gers.
Rangers supporters will be frustrated that both of them appear set to play in the game and will be hoping that the players with connections to the club do not end up costing them a trophy on Saturday.