Andrew McKinlay would love Hearts to be challenging the Old Firm as he looks to perform better in head-to-head matches with the Glasgow duo.
The Jambos are on the lookout for a new boss following the decision to axe Robbie Neilson. His last outing in the dugout was a defeat to St Mirren at Tynecastle that moved the Buddies to within one point of the Gorgie side while Aberdeen leapfrogged them into third spot with seven huge games to come. Steven Naismith has taken over on an interim basis with the objective to land the best of the rest spot and secure European football.
Celtic and Rangers are both in the Scottish Cup semi-final with one guaranteed to face Falkirk or Inverness in the final. That would make them heavy favourites to lift the trophy and mean that the Europa League play-off spot that comes with winning the domestic competition would go to the league standings. Hearts enjoyed a group stage campaign in Europe in the Europa Conference League after a similar scenario and they are desperate for another adventure.
READ MORE: Robbie Neilson in Hearts 'utmost respect' as he thanks Ann Budge, board and fans in statement
Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
Hearts CEO McKinlay has never talked about catching the Old Firm duo but reckons his side should be performing better against the pair, especially Rangers, as he admitted the capital side don't seem to 'lay a glove' on the Ibrox men branding the situation 'bizarre'.
He told Edinburgh Evening News: "I’ve never talked about catching the Old Firm. I’d love to be able to challenge the Old Firm. Do I believe we can get closer to them? Absolutely. But it’s very, very difficult.
“If you look at Celtic’s record this year, they’re in line to get a record points total in excess of the ‘invincible’ season. So, let’s be realistic about it. Rangers’ record actually this season looks dreadful behind Celtic’s but in any other season it would stand by it.
“But I think we should be third and I’ll tell you what I do think, we should be performing better when we play them, Rangers in particular.
“I’ve seen us have good performances against Celtic. In fact, I would say in the last few weeks our best football was the first-half at Celtic Park, where I thought we were dynamic and really got in about them. But I haven’t seen us do that against Rangers and I don’t know why. We don’t seem to lay a glove on Rangers for some bizarre reason and we have to start doing that.
“I look at Hearts that as a team over the years, especially at Tynecastle, will beat Rangers and will beat Celtic on occasion here. Since I’ve been here over the last few years I haven’t seen that and I want to see that again.”
READ NEXT:
- Robbie Neilson 'knee-jerk' Hearts sacking claims rejected as club chief reveals reason for axe
- Joe Newell fires Hearts warning as Hibs star sees 'perfect game' to end 'horrendous' derby record
- Lee Johnson slams 'naive' Hibs as Dundee United defeat has boss talking 'cup final' Hearts derby
