Heart of Midlothian will be looking to create history at Hampden Park on Sunday afternoon when they face Rangers. Progressing to the final would mean defeating the Ibrox side at the country's national stadium for the very first time.

Steven Naismith's men know their opponents after Aberdeen defeated Hibs and go into the encounter having returned to winning ways during the week when they beat Livingston 1-0 at Tynecastle Park. It followed a frustrating afternoon against Rangers in the league last Sunday when they led 1-0 going into the final minutes but contrived to lose 2-1.

Joel Sked and Scott McIntosh look ahead to the match in Mount Florida by predicting the starting Hearts XI.

READ MORE: Hearts and the unwanted Rangers, League Cup and Hampden records they need to end

JOEL SKED

It appears that Steven Naismith has two key decisions to make regarding his starting line-up to face Rangers. It would be a big surprise if he was to move away from the back three. It served the team well at Ibrox when they fell to a very late defeat, while it was in place for the 1-0 home win over Livingston. Therefore the two questions surround right wing-back and who takes the third spot in the midfield three.

The assumption is that Frankie Kent will be flanked by Kye Rowles and Stephen Kingsley in the backline. The latter played on the right side of the back three against Livi but grew into the position and provides experience, reliability and, hopefully, a goal threat from set pieces. Alex Cochrane will play left wing-back and the expectation would be that both Beni Baningime and Calem Nieuwenhof take up two spots in the midfield - more on them later. Lawrence Shankland, who is back in goal-scoring form, should be partnered by Kenneth Vargas. The Costa Rican was a goal-scoring substitute against Livi but the wide expanses of Hampden will suit his game. His pace, running power and work-rate were there to see at Ibrox when he troubled Connor Goldson on numerous occasions. He will likely be asked to stretch the game for Hearts with Shankland dropping to link play which he does so effectively.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith opens up on Hearts buzz, pressure, short-termism and 'survivors'

Now, to the two decisions. Firstly, the midfield. Baningime suits the deep role if Naismith opts for the 1-2 shape, as he should. The former Everton star is composed and a smart recycler of the ball, capable of evading any Rangers press. Nieuwenhof provides more verticality as well as a calmness with the ball and has shown he can get stuck in. But who plays alongside them, Jorge Grant or Cammy Devlin? The former would provide more creative qualities as he did against Livingston. However, legs and energy will be important to stop Rangers and disrupt them. This type of game is made for Devlin who was not at his best against Livingston. There are absolutely no concerns about his snapping, harrying and hassling qualities. There will be responsibility to use the ball well, drive forward with it and support the front two.

As for the second decision. This is one which will give an indication as to how ambitious Naimsith's game plan is. To provide more protection he could opt for Toby Sibbick or Odel Offiah. Sibbick has had some difficult moments of late and is not a wing-back by trade. Neither is Offiah who has looked uncomfortable at times in the role. Alan Forrest would provide more attacking threat, while there will be the understanding that he will provide plenty of work rate. Up against Ridvan Yilmaz, he can get some joy against the Turkish left-back going the other way.

Predicted line-up: Clark; Kingsley, Kent, Rowles; Baningime; Forrest, Devlin, Nieuwenhof, Cochrane; Vargas, Shankland.

SCOTT MCINTOSH

Given that a back three brings out the best in Kye Rowles and allows both Stephen Kingsley and Alex Cochrane to start, the expectation is that we will stick with this moving forward at least until Craig Halkett returns from the international break. Rangers midfield three of Ryan Jack, Todd Cantwell and John Lundstrum will be happy to probe and be patient against a sitting midfield trio so it would be great to see both Cammy Devlin and Calem Nieuwenhof take up advanced positions in midfield with Beni Baningime sitting in front of the three. Although the temptation will be to frustrate Rangers as others have done over the past few months, with it being a cup tie it is important to create the right optics for the crowd.

The right wing back position represents a bit of a conundrum for Naismith. It is becoming more apparent with each passing week that Toby Sibbick is not hugely fancied and with Abdul Sima preferring to float infield rather than take a wider position on the left, it leaves the option to stick with Alan Forrest who did a great job of providing an outlet on Wednesday even if his final ball was lacking somewhat. Zander Clark will start in goals, and will be expecting a busier afternoon than Wednesday. Stephen Kingsley will continue in the right centre back role with Frankie Kent and Kye Rowles making up the rest of the back three.

READ MORE: Shankland on Hearts 'fresh start' after time off and focus on beating Rangers - Q&A

As already mentioned it would be great to see us go man for man in the middle of their park. With Alex Lowry out there could be a temptation to throw in Jorge Grant to give us some guile but I’m not convinced the playmaker is effective enough off the ball to effectively shackle Rangers when they are in possession. For that reason, I think we could see Devlin and Nieuwenhof play in a slightly more advanced role where they can harry the double pivot of Jack and Lundstrum. Baningime will then be trusted with keeping a close eye on Todd Cantwell. His ability to beat the press and retain the ball with an opponent breathing down his neck could be very useful and he is getting closer to full fitness with each passing week.

In the wing-back roles Alan Forrest surely has to start given his consistent displays and would pose a question for Ridvan Yilmaz who has struggled to nail down a place in the Rangers left back berth. Alex Cochrane has recovered well after a torrid time against Celtic recently and his drive and energy will be vital on that Hampden pitch. Lawrence Shankland will lead the line in attack but I expect the striker to drop deep in order to get involved in the play and avoid becoming isolated leaving Kenneth Vargas to take on the responsibility of stretching the Rangers back line and pulling both Goldson and Balogun out of their comfort zones.

Predicted line-up: Clark; Kingsley, Kent, Rowles; Baningime; Forrest, Devlin, Nieuwenhof, Cochrane; Vargas, Shankland.