CLINT HILL will miss the game with Hearts this weekend after being sent off against Aberdeen and he will be a real loss for Rangers.

Not many fans would have said at the start of the season but he has done well recently and he has shown that he is a leader at the back.

That is something that has been missing for Rangers. Clint’s experience is invaluable at the back and he and Rob Kiernan have become the first choice pairing now it seems.

If you think back to when Davie Weir signed, he came into the team and lead by example. He had Danny Wilson alongside him and he spoke to him all the time to help him through games.

Read more: Derek Johnstone: I wish Ian Cathro well at Hearts - after his debut against Rangers

That is what Clint is doing with Rob at the moment. The two of them have formed a decent partnership in the last few weeks but Danny or Philippe Senderos will come into the side on Saturday.

When you are at the heart of the defence, you have to be talking all the time to the defender beside you and to your goalkeeper.

With Clint out of the side, that communication and leadership is something that isn’t there as much, but it will be up to whoever plays to stake their claim for a regular run in the team.

If the ball is there to be won, you make sure you are in there and you win it. Keep it simple, defend your area and clear your lines.

It might not be a great football spectacle on Saturday and it could turn out to be more of a physical battle once again.

Read more: Derek Johnstone: I wish Ian Cathro well at Hearts - after his debut against Rangers

Hearts are a big, strong, powerful side and Rangers will know what to expect from them in terms of how they will approach the game.

Rangers will have to improve a lot from the game at Tynecastle and that includes being switched on defensively and not conceding soft goals.