RANGERS, Hearts and Hibs should all be wary of the smaller clubs in the SPFL Championship in the coming season.

That was the message from former Jambos star Gary Mackay today as he looked ahead to the 2014/15 campaign.

The second tier is expected to be one of the most exciting in Scotland this season due to the major clubs that are in it.

Rangers are there after going undefeated in League One last term - for the first time in 115 years - and winning their second straight title.

Their Edinburgh rivals, Hearts and Hibs, dropped out of the Premiership after disastrous league campaigns.

Fans of all three clubs are looking forward to their meetings at Easter Road, Ibrox and Tynecastle in the coming months.

Mackay said: "From a Hearts perspective, I think it is important that we don't take our eyes off the ball when we are going to play clubs like Cowdenbeath, Dumbarton and Falkirk.

"Rangers and Hibs will have to do likewise. Everybody is talking about the three big clubs in the division. But the other clubs will not just be making up the numbers.

But Mackay is sure that Rangers pair Lee McCulloch and Lee Wallace will keep their side fully focused.

He said: "Lee Wallace is one of the most unassuming individuals in the game. Lee McCulloch is very much in the same mould. But, on top of that, they are also top performers."