Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what is arguably the biggest match of the Scottish Championship season so far. The league's top two go head-to-head at Tynecastle as Hearts host Rangers in a match that could have a huge say on who earns automatic promotion to the Scottish Premiership this season. Three points would be priceless for both sides, so we should have a good, entertaining match on our hands. Let's start with a look at the teams...

HEARTS STARTING XI: Alexander; Paterson, McHattie, Ozturk, Gomis, Walker, El Hassnaoui, Holt, King, Pallardo, McKay

HEARTS SUBS: Gallacher, Nicholson, Buaben, Keatings, Buchanan, McGhee, Eckersley

RANGERS STARTING XI: Simonsen; McGregor, Mohsni, McCulloch, Wallace; Macleod, Law, Black, Smith; Miller, Daly

RANGERS SUBS: Robinson, Foster, Boyd, Templeton, Shiels, Clark, Aird

Hearts make two changes to the side that won against Falkirk last time out, with Paterson and Holt coming in to replace McGhee and Buaben, the latter of whom has shaken off a knock to feature on the bench. Top scorer Sow and skipper Wilson are both absent through injury, though. Rangers, meanwhile, make three changes as Mohsni, Daly and Smith come into the side. Smith and Ward have both overcome injuries to play, but Aird is only fit enough for the bench.

This is a huge match for both sides today, with plenty riding on the result. Hearts boss Robbie Neilson has played the impact of this game down during the week, but he will know that opening up a nine-point gap over Rangers would be huge for his side. Indeed, with the form Hearts have shown during the early stages of the season, that could very well be an unassailable gap.

The Jambos are still unbeaten in the Championship this season, winning 11 of their 13 matches and dropping just four points on their way to the top of the table. They are, in fact, the only unbeaten team left in Scottish football's top four tiers, with their only defeats this season coming in the cup competitions. Rangers were expected to provide their toughest test in this campaign, but they have already overcome it once this term.

Neilson's side have impressed at both ends of the field this season, with 35 goals from their 13 matches so far - a tally no team in the division can better. They have been missing top scorer Sow recently, however, and he is absent for this game again today, which will surely have an impact on their goalscoring prowess. Hearts also boast the best defensive record in the Scottish Championship this season having conceded seven goals in their 13 outings, four fewer than Rangers.

As well as being unbeaten in 13 league matches this season, today's hosts come into this match having not lost in their last seven games in all competitions. They have won six of those games, with the only exception being a dramatic derby against Hibernian, scoring 18 goals and conceding just three in the process. They have kept four clean sheets during that seven-match unbeaten streak, and that solid defence could be the basis of a positive result today.

They have been particularly impressive here at Tynecastle, boasting a 100% record at home this season. They have won all seven of their matches in front of their own fans, scoring a whopping 25 goals and conceding just five in the process. It really is a stronghold for the club, although it will be tested over the next week. After today's match they face Rangers's Old Firm rivals Celtic in the Scottish Cup, which will be a huge test for Neilson's side.

As for Rangers, McCoist is unlikely to see this match as a 'must-win' just yet, but it is certainly a must-not-lose encounter. Hearts do not look like they will drop many points this season, so to fall nine behind them would leave Gers a huge mountain to climb. Victory would be very valuable for the visitors, bringing them to within three points of the leaders, but you'd have to think that defeat would be even more damaging than victory would be beneficial. Whether that has an impact on McCoist's tactics today remains to be seen.

They certainly don't have a problem with scoring goals in this division as they continue their ascent back up the Scottish league ladder. Like Hearts, they have scored 35 goals from their 13 outings so far, but their goal difference is marginally worse due to their leakier defence. They were unable to hold on to a winning position last time out against Alloa Athletic, who scored soon after Rangers had taken the lead before battling to a 1-1 draw.

That result ended a run of eight straight victories for Ally McCoist's side, which had helped the Glasgow club to move away from the rest of the league and form a one-team chasing pack. They are now unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions, and unlike Hearts are going well in the cups too. They have only lost once since the opening day of the league season and are into the latest rounds of the Scottish Cup, the Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Challenge Cup.

While Hearts have been imperious at home this season, Rangers's best form has actually come away from Ibrox. They are unbeaten in their travels in all competitions this season, winning all but one of their 10 outings on the road. Incredibly, they have kept seven clean sheets in that time, scoring 24 goals and conceding just three. They come into this one on the back of five straight clean sheets away from home, a run which stretches back to September. It is now more than two years since Rangers last lost an away league game, with their most recent defeat coming in October 2012 when Stirling Albion won 1-0 in League Two.

PREDICTION: We're nearing kickoff at Tynecastle now, which means that it is time for a prediction! This is a tough one to call considering both sides are in such good form and Rangers are so good away from home, while Hearts have been perfect in front of their own fans. It really could go either way, which just adds to the intrigue of a huge match today, but I'm going to side with Hearts and go for a 2-1 home victory.

These two have met once already this season, and it was a dramatic encounter on the opening day of the campaign. Rangers thought that they had rescued a draw at Ibrox when Law scored a 91st-minute equaliser, but Sow went straight up the other end and made it 2-1 to Hearts a minute later.

KICKOFF: Rangers get us underway in a sunny Edinburgh as the league's top two clubs go head-to-head. What a huge match this could prove to be in the title race.

The match was barely a few seconds old before we had two players on the floor clutching their faces after separate clashes. It was one man from either side, but the referee took no action against either of the challenges, which was the right decision. There is a great atmosphere inside Tynecastle.

Rangers keeper Steve Simonsen has the full glare of the sun in his eyes at the moment, which could be something to watch as this half goes on. He is not wearing a cap, so his visibility must be impaired somewhat. Hearts may look to make the most of that by hoisting some high balls into his area.

Rangers have made slightly the better start to this match, although their passing has been a bit wayward on occasions. They are seeing more of the ball, though, with Hearts struggling to keep possession inside the Rangers half right now.

Hearts just can't get out at the moment. Rangers have started the game on the front foot, and the hosts have not been able to keep the ball for any prolonged period of time yet. Neither keeper has been tested so far, but McCoist will be the happier of the two managers after 10 minutes.

In truth, the passing has been disappointing from both sides so far. Rangers have kept it slightly better, but whenever they threaten to break into the hosts' final third the killer ball is lacking. Not the best start to this match in terms of quality.

The first half chance of the match falls the way of Rangers as a cross is floated in towards the back post, where Daly is waiting to rise highest. He gets his head to it but can't steer his effort on target as Alexander remains untroubled.

Hearts respond with their most threatening attack of the afternoon so far, but it comes to nothing. The ball was played out wide for Paterson, who swung an early ball into the box that none of his teammates could latch on to. It was played into a decent area, but Rangers defended it well.

Another high ball into the Hearts box causes a few problems as McKay can only clear it as far as the edge of the box. MacLeod is waiting there, but his first-time volley is way over the bar, although it did take a slight deflection on the way through.

El Hassnaoui looks to be in trouble here. He was on the end of a heavy challenge from Black a moment ago and was in pain but, after getting up and trying to run it off, he collapses again. He looks to have twisted his knee there and may need to come off.

Well, it looks like El Hassnaoui will attempt to continue again. He trots back onto the field and is moving a bit more freely now, so the hosts will be hopeful that it was just an impact injury.

Bright play from Mohsni as he takes a quick free kick and slides a pass down the left channel for Wallace. Paterson is caught sleeping, but recovers in time to get an important block in.

CHANCE! The best chance of the game so far goes the way of the visitors as Hearts fail to deal with a corner into the box. McGregor's header resulted in a scramble inside the area before the ball popped back out to the defender, who saw his shot blocked.

Huge moment in this match as Rangers go down to 10 men! It is Steven Smith who receives his marching orders for a late challenge on Paterson, although it must be said that it is a harsh one. The Rangers man was late and a little high, but when he actually made contact with the player his foot was more or less on the floor. The crowd reacted angrily and perhaps that had an impact on Craig Thomson's decision. It was a poor challenge, but a yellow would have sufficed.

How can Rangers respond, then? They had made a decent start to this match without really threatening the Hearts goal, but now they find themselves right up against it. Playing away to top of the league with 10 men is never going to be easy, so a draw must now be seen as a very good result for the visitors.

Black clumsily goes straight through the back of Walker to gift Hearts a free kick in a good position, but Ozturk's effort is blasted straight into the wall, which does its job.

CHANCE! Half a chance for the visitors as the ball is floated into the box towards Daly from a free kick. Paterson wins the first header, but McCulloch is able to win the second and nod it down into a dangerous area. Mohsni reacted quickest to turn it goalwards, but it was a couple of yards past the post.

YELLOW CARD! Paterson has been heavily involved so far, and he goes into the book here for tugging down Law right on the left edge of the box. Rangers have a free kick in a dangerous crossing position...

CHANCE! It is another decent sight of goal for the visitors as they come up with a free kick straight off the training ground. Miller stutters his run-up to allow Wallace to peel off his marker inside the box, but the latter gets right under his eventual shot and blazes it a long way off target.

YELLOW CARD! Gomis becomes the latest player in the book for a foul on Daly, who had got himself between the Hearts skipper and the ball.

There is no rhythm to this game, and there hasn't been at any point so far. There have been too many fouls which have broken up the match, and neither side have had a prolonged period of pressure in which they have really looked like scoring. The action on the field has been as frenzied as the noise in the stands.

Poor from Ozturk as he comes hurtling out of the box to try to get a long ball forward, only to get nowhere near the ball and clatter into Daly in a very dangerous position. This is a good chance for Rangers to test Alexander here.

SAVE! They do indeed test Alexander, but it is a fairly comfortable one for the former Rangers keeper. Law took on the free kick duties with a curling effort towards the keeper's side, and it was at a nice height for Alexander to palm away.

At the other end of the field Hearts now have a free kick in a similar position following a foul by McGregor on Walker. Can the hosts do better than the visitors did moments ago?

SAVE! It is Ozturk who goes for goal, but once again it is a routine stop for Simonsen. Ozturk also went towards the keeper's side, but Simonsen was there to parry it behind for a corner.

CLOSE! This is the closest we have come today! It is fine play from Gomis as he picks the ball up around 25 yards from goal before shifting it onto his left foot and curling a dangerous low effort narrowly past the post. Almost a moment of magic to light this game up from the midfielder.

The sun has turned to a light drizzle now, which reflects the way this game has gone so far. Pathetic fallacy at its finest. There have been far too many free kicks and not enough quality on the field as both sides struggle to get a hold of the game.

SHOT! Another decent sight of goal for the hosts, and again it falls to Gomis. This time his effort isn't as impressive, though, as he scoops his shot from the edge of the box way over the bar when he probably should have done better.

Good play from McGregor as he drives down the right flank, making it past a number of defenders before reaching the Hearts box. He cuts a low ball back into the middle, but there are no white shirts on the end of it!

OFF THE BAR! Hearts are inches away from breaking the deadlock right on the stroke of half time. A deflected cross into the box left everyone rooted to the spot, but the ball fell to McKay, who guided a superb header towards the top corner from a long way out. It looks to be looping in, but Simonsen pulls off an even better fingertip save to nudge it onto the crossbar and over.

There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this first half.

SHOT! Hearts are beginning to apply the pressure at the end of this half now. The ball is slid down the left for McHattie, who cuts inside before trying to bend an effort into the far corner. However, he is on his weaker foot and can't get the curl he needs as the ball flies wide.

Craig Thomson brings an end to the first half, and what a frantic 45 minutes it was. The game itself never got into a rhythm, with a number of niggly fouls preventing either side from really playing any decent football. However, you still couldn't take your eyes off it, and this one is set up nicely for the next 45 minutes.

The major talking point of the half came in the 21st minute as Steven Smith was shown a straight red card for Rangers. It was a poor challenge on Paterson, and he certainly jumped into it a bit, but he lowered his foot when the contact actually took place. It was late, untidy and a little bit naughty, but a red card was harsh from Craig Thomson. A yellow card would have been punishment enough.

The closest we have come to a goal came just before the break as Hearts hit the crossbar through McKay's clever header. The defender guided an effort from just inside the box towards the top corner, but Simonsen made a superb save to tip the ball onto the woodwork. It looked all the way like it was looping over the keeper, but he did very well to reach it.

The first real sustained period of pressure came in the closing stages of the half as Hearts finally began to settle into the match. McHattie and Ozturk have both had shots on goal, while Gomis curled a really good effort just wide from 25 yards. They were on top for the final 10 minutes of the half, but otherwise struggled to gain control of the game.

Indeed, it was Rangers who were arguably the better side for the first half an hour or so, despite the red card coming in that time. They saw plenty of the ball, but Ally McCoist will not be happy with how toothless they looked up front. They created a few half chances, with Mohsni, Wallace and McGregor all going for goal, but they are yet to carve out a really clear goalscoring opportunity.

It must be said that Rangers have coped well with their numerical disadvantage so far. They have held their own against the league leaders, with Miller dropping back onto the left to give them more protection in midfield. You'd have to think that the visitors would be content with a draw in this match under the circumstances, but Hearts will surely begin to apply more pressure as Rangers start to tire.

Robbie Neilson will certainly think that this game is there for the taking for his side. They didn't really start playing until the last 10 minutes of that first half, so he will want a much quicker start to the second 45. Victory would put Hearts nine points clear in the title race and, with Rangers down to 10 men, this is an opportunity they could really do with taking.

KICKOFF: Hearts get us back underway against the 10 men of Rangers. Can they make their numerical advantage pay in the next 45 minutes, or will Rangers hold out for a point, or maybe more?

SHOT! Ozturk picks the ball up a good 35-40 yards from goal and, with his shooting ability, is urged to have a go by the crowd. He duly obliges, firing a low effort bouncing just a few yards past the post. Not a bad effort at all from that range.

YELLOW CARD! Miller goes flying into a challenge to tackle McHattie, and such a tackle is always going to draw an angry reaction from the crowd. McHattie goes down in a heap and Miller is bemused at a foul being given as, to be fair, he did get the ball. Even so, he is more experienced than that and it was no different to the one that saw Smith receive his marching orders earlier. This time the referee makes the correct decision by showing a yellow, but Miller did certainly give him a decision to make.

McHattie certainly felt that one from Miller. He goes off the field to receive some treatment and it doesn't look like he will be returning to the fold. Miller did get the ball, but his studs were showing and he caught the Hearts defender as well.

HEARTS SUB: There is the change as McHattie is carried down the tunnel on a stretcher, while Adam Eckersley comes on to replace him.

RANGERS SUB: Miller, on that yellow card from a few moments ago, makes way for the visitors' first change of the day. The home fans boo the veteran striker off as he is replaced by Richard Foster.

HEARTS SUB: The hosts make another change here as El Hassnaoui is replaced by summer signing James Keatings.

First blood goes to Hearts! The game has been sorely lacking in quality so far, but this is a superb strike from Holt. Paterson deserves credit for swinging a very testing ball into the middle that McCulloch just about does enough to prevent reaching the striker. However, his clearance hits McGregor and falls to Holt, who lashes his strike into the corner from the edge of the box.

OFF THE POST! Oh my word, how on earth are Rangers not level straight away?! The ball falls to Law inside the box and his powerful effort is beaten away by Alexander. The rebound finds McGregor, who turns it goalwards with the keeper still on the floor, but Eckersley gets his body in the way to deflect it onto the post. Hearts survive by the skin of their teeth!

YELLOW CARD! Black is the latest name in the book for dissent after the referee turned down a penalty appeal from Law. In truth, the referee should have also booked Law as it was a blatant dive inside the box.

YELLOW CARD! Eckersley joins Black in the book for a foul in the middle of the park. Referee Craig Thomson has been a busy man this afternoon!

Rangers have responded well to going behind here. They have another half chance here as Wallace's cross deflects high into the air. Daly is waiting underneath it when it drops inside the box, chesting it back down to Wallace, who blazes an effort well over the top.

SHOT! Good play from Hearts as they hound McGregor deep inside his own half, winning the ball from the Rangers man. Walker picks it up and cuts inside, but can only drag his tame effort wide of the near post.

YELLOW CARD! Daly becomes the latest name in the referee's bulging book courtesy of a totting up process. He has been penalised five or six times today, although all of them have been fairly soft.

SHOT! That card doesn't stop Daly throwing his weight around, though. He does well to win an aerial battle and knock the ball down for MacLeod, who scuffs his effort a few yards wide of the post.

YELLOW CARD! Pallardo also goes into the book for a cynical tug on Daly having previously lost the ball.

The resulting free kick is floated into the box despite the lack of an angle for the cross. Daly has got the wrong side of his marker and gets his head to the ball, but can't keep his effort down.

Daly once again wins a header inside the Hearts box, but this time his downward header into a dangerous area is smothered by the keeper. Good idea from the Rangers man, but he just couldn't find a teammate.

Rangers have less than 20 minutes to save this one now and perhaps save their title challenge. Remember, they will be nine points behind Hearts if things stay the same here, and it is hard to see how they can make that up with the league leaders in such good form this season.

SAVE! King draws a stop from Simonsen, but it is a very comfortable one for the keeper. The Hearts winger was actually trying to cross the ball into the box, but his low ball inside went towards the near post, where Simonsen gathered it up.

Ozturk, King and Keatings almost combine to send the latter through on goal, but McCulloch just about does enough to avert the danger. It was unorthodox from the Rangers skipper, who missed his first attempted clearance before poking it away while on the floor.

YELLOW CARD! The yellow card is out once again as McGregor becomes the latest name in the book for a sliding challenge on Walker.

It is Hearts who are applying more of the pressure right now as they keep the ball at the right end of the field as far as they are concerned. McCoist needs to change something here.

CLOSE! Almost a second for the hosts as they force Rangers into conceding possession in their own half. King pounces onto a loose ball on the right before firing a long-range effort narrowly wide.

RANGERS SUB: I said McCoist needs to change something, and he has tried to do that here with Kris Boyd replacing MacLeod. Boyd was a controversial omission from the starting lineup, so he could have a point to prove here.

RANGERS SUB: That is swiftly followed by a third and final change for the visitors, who bring on Nicky Clark for Daly.

HEARTS SUB: The hosts also make a change as the goalscorer Holt makes way to be replaced by Jordan McGhee in a defensive move. Both sides have now made all of their subs.

Both sides look like they are beginning to tire a little now, but Rangers must especially be feeling the pace having played more than an hour with just 10 men. There has been a lack o quality in possession at times in this match, but it has been played at a frenetic pace throughout.

CHANCE! Despite those tiring legs, Hearts break forward on the counter. The ball is slid in to Walker on the left flank, but he can only roll a low effort wide of the far post. He had men in the middle to aim for there, and he may well have been caught in two minds.

Surely that is game over now! Walker again break forward down the left and this time gets his body between the ball and Black, who clumsily bundles into his man from behind inside the box. It is a needless penalty to concede, but the referee made the correct decision. Walker steps up to take the kick himself, slotting it straight down the middle to surely seal the points for his side.

YELLOW CARD! Another heavy challenge from Boyd as he goes in high and late on McKay, but is only shown a yellow card. Again, it was similar to Smith's challenge and Miller's challenge, but Boyd actually lifted his foot a little higher there.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match.

SAVE! Alexander is forced into a late stop, but once again it is comfortable for the keeper. Walker picked up a loose ball and made sure he had a yard to shoot, but his effort was straight at the keeper.

The final whistle is greeted by jubilant cheers as Hearts win again to move nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Championship table. It is a huge victory over their nearest rivals as they move a step closer to automatic promotion back to the top flight, while also maintaining their 100% record in the league this season. Rangers, meanwhile, have a mountain to climb if they are to catch Hearts now.

Rangers were forced to play the vast majority of the match with just 10 men after Steven Smith was shown a red card in what was a feisty, ill-tempered and ugly match at times. Holt sprinkled a bit of magic into it with a fine finish to open the scoring 10 minutes into the second half, however, while Walker sealed the points with a penalty that he won himself late on.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was an absorbing match that could prove to have a decisive say on the Scottish Championship title race. It is Hearts who move nine points clear courtesy of a 2-0 victory over their nearest rivals, keeping up their unbeaten streak in the process. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for coverage of a host of 3pm kickoffs from around Europe. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!