Charlie Miller believes Derek McInnes will handle any criticism from Hearts fans when he returns to Tynecastle, and insists the Rangers manager should be praised by the Gorgie faithful for his work in Edinburgh.
McInnes faces his former club for the first time since leaving Hearts for Ibrox in the summer. He is expected to receive a hostile reception from supporters unhappy at his departure after just a year in charge.
Miller backs McInnes to shrug off abuse
Miller, McInnes's former Rangers team-mate, said the abuse will not bother the gaffer, who watched his side beat St Johnstone 4-0 at Ibrox on Saturday. He added that Hearts fans should applaud McInnes for taking the club agonisingly close to a historic Premiership title win last term, losing it on the last day to Celtic.
Speaking ahead of Rangers' midweek trip to Tynecastle, Miller said: "I'm sure Derek will get a lively reception from the Hearts fans when he goes back there on Wednesday night as Rangers manager. But knowing him, that won't bother him. In fact, I'm sure he'll enjoy it. They probably didn't want him to leave in the summer which you can understand."
Hearts should be grateful
Miller added: "But as soon as Rangers wanted him, he was always going to go to Ibrox because it's his club. He'll get dog's abuse from the stands but I'm sure he'll have heard a lot worse and Derek will just shrug it off. All he'll be focusing on is making sure Rangers get a result and three points. After the job he did at Hearts, the supporters there should be praising him."
He continued: "He got them so close to a league title, when no-one really expected them to challenge last season. He left Hearts in a really good place so they should be grateful for what he did there."
Rangers face tough Tynecastle test
Rangers face a tough test at Tynecastle as they look to stay on Celtic's coat-tails at the top of the Premiership table. Hearts suffered an embarrassing 7-1 loss to Celtic at Parkhead last weekend, but Miller knows Wouter Vrancken's side will be a different animal at home.
Miller said: "It's always difficult for Rangers going to Tynecastle and Derek will know that better than anyone. Hearts got a doing at Celtic Park a week ago and that would have hurt the players. So against Rangers, they'll want to put that right especially in front of their own fans."
He added: "They'll be determined not to lose against one of the Old Firm again and certainly not like they did at Parkhead. That's why it will be such a hard game for Rangers. It will be a cracking atmosphere and Hearts will fancy it."
Charity match plans
Miller will pull the boots back on today (Sunday) for a charity match in Glasgow to raise funds for the Marie Curie Hospice. A Possil All Stars team will take on celebrity side Dukla Pumpherton at Keppoch Park in memory of locals Kasey Haldane and Michelle Duffy. Miller will line up alongside the likes of Andy McLaren, Gerry McCabe, Kyle Lafferty and Gerry Farrell.
Miller said: "It's always great to get back on the pitch again especially with some ex-players I know well. It's for a great cause and hopefully people will turn up to show their support and raise much a lot of money."
