Soccer

Robbie Neilson's expected departure won't affect game - Mark Warburton

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson (above) played under Rangers boss Mark Warburton (below) at Brentford  
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson (above) played under Rangers boss Mark Warburton (below) at Brentford   Hearts manager Robbie Neilson (above) played under Rangers boss Mark Warburton (below) at Brentford  

RANGERS manager Mark Warburton insists Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson's possible move to MK Dons will have no impact on their clash at Tynecastle on Wednesday night.

The 36-year-old Gorgie boss is reportedly on his way south for talks with the English Football League club, who confirmed on Monday they made an official approach. It looks like Neilson, who played under Warburton at Brentford, could be in charge of the Edinburgh side for the last time against the Light Blues.

However, the Gers boss believes the Hearts players will not lose focus as they look for the win that will take them above the Ibrox side and Aberdeen into second place in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

He said: "All I know is I had Robbie at Brentford, he was a top professional as a player, he is a very talented manager and he has a very big future in the game.

"I like him enormously. I am very impressed with Robbie and he has a very bright career ahead I am sure but I am only focused on Rangers and he will deal with what he has to deal with.

"It doesn't [impact], it is about your relationship with the players and I am sure Robbie has a very strong relationship. The most important people are the players. We do what we do in our capacity but, at the end of the day, it is about the players.

"It is an important game tomorrow night and I am sure their focus will be as equally as strong as ours. It doesn't affect our preparation, we go there and respect them, but it is just about Rangers from our perspective."

Warburton will assess Josh Windass and Clint Hill ahead of Wednesday's game. Midfielder Windass came off at half-time in last Saturday's 2-1 win over Partick Thistle with a hamstring problem, while veteran defender Hill missed the game with a knock.

Jordan Rossiter (calf) remains on the sidelines along with fellow midfielder Niko Kranjcar (knee).