Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson believes his side's top-of-the-table clash with Rangers in the Championship on Sunday is the biggest fixture in Scottish football this season.

The two fallen giants find themselves in Scotland's second tier after both sides suffered financial meltdowns.

Neilson's side were relegated last season after starting the campaign with a 25-point deficit as punishment for entering administration.

Their Glasgow rivals, meanwhile, are in their third season of climbing through Scotland's divisions after having to start life again in the country's bottom tier following liquidation in May 2012.

Both sides are desperately battling it out for the one automatic promotion spot back to the Scottish Premiership.

Hearts currently hold the upper hand and could go nine points clear of Rangers, who they defeated 2-1 on the opening day of the season, with a win at Tynecastle.

However, Neilson attempted to play down the significance of a potential Jambos win and said it would have little bearing on the outcome of the league title.

"It's a huge game in Scottish football. It's probably the biggest one so far this year, even taking the Premiership into account," Neilson said.

"It's two teams at the top of the league fighting for the title, so it's going to be a great atmosphere in front of a full house. We want to pass the ball, do things quickly and use our pace and ability.

"It would be a great cushion for us to get three points and also a great boost for the boys' confidence.

"No matter the outcome of Saturday's game, it's not going to have a huge bearing in the end. It would be great for us if we can get the three points but if we do win, we still have a long way to go."

The Jambos are unbeaten in the league this season but Rangers defender Stevie Smith says Ally McCoist's side shouldn't fear the trip to Tynecastle.

"No one has beaten Hearts this year and that's an incentive for us," Smith said.

"It's going to take hard work to get a win at Tynecastle - we have to go there and match their work rate and then try to play some football.

"I don't think it's anything that anyone should be scared of in any way, it's something that I think as a group we have got to look forward to.

"We can't be looking at other people to take points off them, we've got a chance to go and do it ourselves at the weekend.

"We have to go and put in the hard work and the result should take care of itself.

"If we don't go and do it then we've only got ourselves to blame."

The match at Tynecastle will see former Hearts players Ian Black, Lee Wallace and David Templeton all return to Edinburgh as Rangers players, while former Gers youngster Danny Wilson is an injury doubt for the Jambos.

In the Scottish Premiership, leaders Celtic take on newly-promoted Dundee at Parkhead.

The Hoops top the table on goal difference after a stuttering start to the campaign but Norwegian midfielder Stefan Johansen says his side will continue to get better and better.

"We are winning games and starting to create a lot of chances but we can be even better.

"At the start of the season we had a new gaffer who had new ideas.

"We are starting to see what he wants in the team. The players know what to do now so it is going to be easier and we are going to be better and better."

Fixtures (1500 unless otherwise stated)