Rangers will be hoping to put some pressure on Scottish Championship leaders Hearts when they travel to Queen of the South on Friday night.

The Glasgow giants are currently nine points behind their promotion rivals, but could cut that to six before Hearts take on Cowdenbeath on Saturday.

Ally McCoist's side have struggled to rediscover their best form since going down 2-0 to Hearts a fortnight ago, losing 3-2 to Alloa Athletic the following week.

A Dean Shiels goal was enough for them to limp past Cowdenbeath, but Hearts are showing no signs of slowing down as they thrashed Queens 4-1 the same day.

James Fowler's team face another difficult task this weekend as they welcome Rangers to Palmerston Park, having only beaten the Ibrox outfit four times in their history.

Gavin Reilly and Iain Russell, who have 13 league goals between them, will likely be the forward pairing hoping to fire the Doonhamers to another famous triumph.

McCoist has restored Kris Boyd to the team in recent weeks, and he should again start for Rangers alongside Kenny Miller up front, with Shiels in behind.

He could name an unchanged starting XI, although David Templeton is pushing for a recall on the wing, and Lee Wallace could be back in contention after a knock.

Rangers beat Queens 4-2 in the reverse fixture earlier this season, but Fowler's third-placed side can move to within four points of the Blues with a surprise victory.

QOTS:

Form in Scottish Championship: WDWDWL
Form in all competitions: DWDWWL

Possible starting lineup: Clark; Dowie, Durnan, Higgins, Holt; Dzierzawski, Kidd, Kerr, McShane; Reilly, Russell

Rangers:

Form in Scottish Championship: WWWDLW
Form in all competitions:

Possible starting lineup: Simonsen, Mohsni, McCulloch, Aird, Foster, McGregor, Black, Law, Miller, Shiels, Boyd

Sports Mole says: 1-2