Andy Halliday wouldn’t be happy at Rangers when he lost a game of FIVES in training.
And current Ibrox star Ryan Jack says that type of winning mentality is part of the reason why Hearts will be the closest team to the Old Firm again come May. He was a team-mate of Halliday’s for three years at Gers before the midfielder moved to Tynecastle in 2020.
The 31-year-old is a key part of Robbie Neilson’s squad, who look certain to finish third in the Scottish Premiership for a second season on the spin. Jack is convinced that Halliday’s influence - and experience of playing at Ibrox - has rubbed off on the Jambos. That’s why he expects them to finish best of the rest again this term. And it's also why he knows Michael Beale’s men will get one of their toughest tests of the campaign in Gorgie on Wednesday night.
That’s why he expects them to finish best of the rest again this term. And it's also why he knows Michael Beale’s men will get one of their toughest tests of the campaign in Gorgie on Wednesday night.
Ahead of the mouth-watering clash at Tynecastle, Jack said: “I think someone like Andy going in there, with his mentality, will have helped them, 100 percent.
“Andy played here for a number of years and down in England. But especially at Rangers, every day Andy wanted to win. In a small-sided game at training, he’d want to win. In a possession game, he wanted to win.
“I think it’s just ingrained in him. And I know for a fact he’ll have a massive influence on their changing room in terms of knowing how to win. There’s no doubt he’ll be letting them know what’s coming on Wednesday night. And he’ll also know that if Hearts want to succeed and win stuff in the future, they have to compete with ourselves and Celtic.
“It’s in Hearts’ hands to finish third for two seasons on the trot now. They’re playing good football and they’ve got a very good team.
“When you see the injuries they’ve had, it’s clear they have a very strong squad. So we know they’re a tough team to play against. But if you want to do well at Rangers and achieve things, you need to go to places like this and get points.”
Nothing will surprise Jack in midweek when Beale’s side turn up at Tynecastle in front of a sell-out home support.
He’s been over the course so many times before but admits for new boy Todd Cantwell, it will be a whole new experience. And Jack has warned the playmaker - signed from Norwich City last week - that they’ll have to earn the right to play on Hearts’ patch.
He said: “Todd knows that representing a club like Rangers in our league, the challenge is there in every game. We know that.
“But we need to make him aware that going to Tynecastle, it’s not going to be pretty at times. We won’t have it the way we want and the way we train every day.
“Sometimes you have to dig in and roll your sleeves up and Todd will be well aware of that come Wednesday night. Hearts away any day of the week is difficult. They’re a good side who are flying high at the minute.
“We know we’ll have to roll our sleeves up for the first 20 or 30 minutes, like you have to do at Tynecastle, Pittodrie, Easter Road, places like that. If we do that, hopefully our football will shine through and we’ll get on top.
“We’ll take strong away support and it’s under the lights. So I’d expect it to be intense and fiery. That’s why we need to make people aware that the first half an hour won’t be pretty.
“It’ll be about winning tackles, headers, second balls. Once the game settles the quality players we have going forward can hopefully shine and get us the win.”
One player who would love to be heading back to Tynecastle is ex-Jambo John Souttar.
The Rangers centre-back is on the verge of making a return to Beale’s line-up after being out injured from the first day of the season.
Jack is a big admirer of Souttar’s ability, having played alongside him for Scotland. But he’s also praised his mental strength - and insists Rangers’ squad will be better for the defender’s presence.
Jack said: “It will be great for us to get John back. Already, I can see from the 11-a-side games in training - both 11’s are very strong and it’s competitive.
“That’s only going to make us better every day and on match day stronger. John definitely makes us stronger when he’s fit.
“I feel for him because he’s had a tough time. But John has a great mentality and attitude. I’m a familiar face for him - I played against him for years and then together with Scotland.
“He’s had big injuries before, came back and performed well. So he knows what it takes to come back at this level.
“Going forward he’ll be a big addition for our squad. Full respect to him. It would be easy to get down and let it get on top of you.
“But he’s the opposite, he’s worked so hard and is now flying again. When we get him back fit and well, we’ll be a much stronger team.”
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