Hearts can close the gap on Celtic to one point when Scotland's top two clubs collide in a New Year's Day clash at Tynecastle.

Gordon Strachan's Celtic are four points clear in the Scottish Premier League having trailed Hearts early in the season when Hearts won their first 10 games.

Despite the sudden departure of coach George Burley in October following a row with Lithuanian owner Vladimir Romanov, Hearts have maintained their title challenge under new manager Graham Rix and sit seven points above third-placed Hibernian.

"I am delighted that we are top of the table, but I know Hearts have good players," Strachan said.

"Because of their financial clout they have been able to bring in really good players just as Chelsea did, only in a more modest way.

"Both teams have been neck and neck and we wondered (after Burley's departure) if it would be still that way and it has. So well done to both teams.

"It's a big, big game and the two teams have tried to keep ahead of the pack and the players on both sides have done well."

Jeffers released

Champions Rangers were expected to release on-loan striker Francis Jeffers back to Premier League side Charlton Athletic after their 3-0 win in the league match against Dundee United yesterday.

Jeffers has struggled to make an impact in Scotland following a succession of injuries and manager Alex McLeish had confirmed on Friday he is returning to England.

"He has been unlucky," said McLeish. "Both he and (Argentine striker) Federico Nieto have both suffered injuries in their loan period which, for me, has been pretty significant in why it didn't work out for them.

"I think Jeffers will do well in the Premiership, I think he needs the right partner."

Nieto was released last week and returned to his Argentine club Almagro.

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