KENNY MILLER knows what a must-win game is.

He has played in them, revelled in them and triumphed in them.

He insists, though, today isn't one. Defeat is never an option for Rangers but that outcome would not blot the bigger picture.

Ally McCoist's side head to Tynecastle this afternoon under pressure and having under- performed this season.

They are six points behind Hearts; six away from the position they covet and the one they must claim come May.

Having been beaten by both halves of the capital sides already this term and shipped four points in two embarrassing displays against Alloa, Rangers find themselves adrift and on the back foot.

But it is only another three points that are on the line and up for grabs in Gorgie.

The two-horse race will not become a canter to the finishing line no matter the outcome.

"In terms of the title race, we are very early," Miller said.

"I think once you get to the nitty gritty in April there might be games then you have to win.

"At the moment we have to win because we are Rangers and we have to win every game. But in terms of pressure, it's not quite at that stage yet.

"There's a long, long way to go. If we were to find ourselves six or seven points back with four games to go or something, then you have to win those games, you cannot afford to drop any kind of points then.

"That's the real pressure, but at the moment we know what we have to do."

Rangers may not have hit the heights expected, or demanded, of them so far this season as Hearts have stolen a march and hit the ground running.

But McCoist's side remain well in the hunt for a third consecutive league crown.

Having won two SPL titles in the final seconds of the season under Alex McLeish, the Light Blue legions know better than most that nothing is over until the final whistle has blown.

And Miller insists any talk about their dreams ending in November, should they not get the win they are chasing in Edinburgh, is premature.

He said: "I don't know about people writing us off because that would just be ludicrous.

"What are we ... 13 or 14 games into the season - just over a third of the way through the season - so to write anyone off now... I remember being seven points back with six games to play in the Premier League.

"It's far from over, no matter what happens in this game. In terms of underdogs, I don't approach the game thinking we are the underdogs that's for sure. We'll be going there to win the game and try to play the way we can play.

"Whether it's in the Championship or Premier League, we have to approach every game thinking we are going to win."

After two years of comfortable league triumphs, Rangers find themselves in a battle for the title this term.

The Championship crown was always going to be the toughest one to claim for McCoist's side during their climb thorugh the divisions, but the task has been made even harder by the presence of two of their former top flight rivals.

While Hibs have fallen 16 points off the pace, Hearts have emerged as the ones to catch as they have put together an impressive and unbeaten run.

And, when asked if he was surprised by Hearts' consistency, Miller said: "Not really, they're a good team.

"I think they went through a season last year when they struggled at the start, but finished strongly.

"All the lads they had to blood last year have definitely got the benefit of playing last season and they are probably in a much better place than they were in last season.

"I expected them to be right there. If I'm honest, then I expected them to be below us, but that's been more down to us. Their level of consistency has been great.

"Even going back to the Hibs game a few weeks ago, I watched it, they were right up against it.

"It was a game they should have lost there's no doubt about it. But they stuck at it with 10 men and got wonder-strike at the end.

"At the moment that's the kind of belief they have and maybe the kind of wee breaks that they are getting."

Rangers have racked up the miles as they have clinched the Third Division and League One titles in the last two seasons.

New places have been visited and the unexpected experienced on 'The Journey' through the bottom two tiers.

For a man who has been over the top course and distance before, the cauldron of Tynecastle today will feel just like the good old days, though.

Miller said: "They are great games to play in. They always seem to be tight, tight games with a hostile environment to go and play in, but it's one that you thrive on.

"I love playing in games like that as a player where there is a big game and a big crowd either against you or supporting you. We've prepared well and we're looking forward to it.

"It always gives you a chance to go and silence that hostile crowd. If you get that goal it will silence the crowd, apart from our 1,500 supporters who will be singing.

"The vast majority will be sulking. Listen, we have a lot of players who have been here before and who have actually played for Hearts so they will know what it's like on the other side too.

"We've all been there before and we'll know what to expect."