Although Celtic were confirmed as champions on Wednesday night, Rangers have realistically being targeting other things since reaching the Europa League final last week.
To their credit, Rangers still fulfilled their end of the bargain, posting home wins over Dundee United and Ross County to keep Celtic honest until their draw with the former at Tannadice.
However, as far as Rangers are concerned, it is now time for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team to switch back on, this fixture coming exactly a week before the two clubs go head-to-head in the Scottish Cup final.
Like he has done in the previous two games, Van Bronckhorst has taken measures to try to keep his players as fresh as possible, but there will also be spots available in one of the two showpiece matches for the players who take to the pitch in the capital at the weekend.
Despite an indifferent loan spell since joining from Manchester United, Amad Diallo has chipped in with goals in his last two appearances, providing both himself and Van Bronckhorst with a necessary boost going forward.
Robbie Neilson can only have been left impressed with the longevity of his Hearts side this campaign, the Edinburgh-based side long being confirmed in third position in their first year back in the top tier.
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That said, he would not have necessarily envisaged a three-match winless streak heading into their double-header with Rangers, the run starting with a goalless draw at home to Ross County
Although a heavy defeat at a motivated Celtic was perhaps half-anticipated, Hearts again succumbed on Wednesday evening as they lost 2-1 at Motherwell.
Neilson will be grateful that there is another game to come before trying to win a piece of domestic silverware against the odds but like his opposite number, a balance must be found on Saturday with more important occasions around the corner.
