Hearts will aim to turn the Scottish Premiership title chase into a two-horse race when they host Rangers next Monday, says captain Lawrence Shankland.

The league leaders will move seven points clear of the Ibrox side with three games remaining if they beat Danny Rohl's men at Tynecastle.

A late derby win at Easter Road on Sunday further strengthened Hearts' position after Rangers lost at home to Motherwell.

Shankland said of the crucial clash against Rangers: "It does have a wee bit of a cup final feel about it. If we were to win, it would become pretty difficult for Rangers to win the league, just based on the number of games left to play.

"If it becomes a two-horse race after that, you've got even more chance of winning it. So it'll be a big game - the build-up to it will be huge.

"If we win the game, we increase our chances of winning the league. That's the most important thing for us."

Celtic are three points behind, with Hearts still to visit Parkhead on the final day.

However, Hearts have taken seven points off the reigning champions this season, as well as beating Rangers twice.

"What Celtic do have is the experience," Shankland added. "Obviously, winning leagues in the past is something they have over us.

"We've had a lot of success against the teams we're about to play in the remaining games of the season. We've got a good points return against them.

"We just need to continue to do that, bring the best version of ourselves, and we can win games - we've shown that."