Charlie Miller says the gaffer should be remembered fondly by the Gorgie faithful despite his exit

Charlie Miller reckons Derek McInnes will handle any flak Hearts fans throw at him on his return to Tynecastle.

But he says his former Rangers pal should be getting PRAISE from the Gorgie faithful.

Gers gaffer McInnes will face his old club for the first time since leaving the Jambos for Ibrox in the summer.

He’s certain to get a hostile reception from the Hearts support who weren’t happy at him leaving after just a year in charge.

But his ex-Rangers team-mate Miller believes the abuse will be water off a duck’s back for McInnes, who watched his side beat St Johnstone 4-0 at Ibrox on Saturday.

And he says the Hearts fans should be applauding their old manager for the job he did in Edinburgh.

McInnes took the club agonisingly close to a historic Premiership title win last term when they lost it on the last day to Celtic.

Ahead of Gers’ trip to Tynecastle in midweek, Miller said: “I’m sure Derek will get a lively reception from the Hearts fans when he goes back there on Wednesday night as Rangers manager.

“But knowing him, that won’t bother him. In fact, I’m sure he’ll enjoy it. They probably didn’t want him to leave in the summer which you can understand.

“But as soon as Rangers wanted him, he was always going to go to Ibrox because it’s his club. He’ll get dog’s abuse from the stands but I’m sure he’ll have heard a lot worse and Derek will just shrug it off.

“All he’ll be focusing on is making sure Rangers get a result and three points. After the job he did at Hearts, the supporters there should be praising him.

“He got them so close to a league title, when no-one really expected them to challenge last season. He left Hearts in a really good place so they should be grateful for what he did there.”

Rangers face a tough test at Tynecastle as they look to stay on Celtic’s coat-tails at the top of the Premiership table.

The Jambos suffered an embarrassing loss to the other half of the Old Firm last weekend when Celtic hammered them 7-1.

But Miller knows Wouter Vrancken’s side will be a different animal at home. And he says Rangers might actually suffer as a result of Hearts’ pummelling at Parkhead.

The club’s former 9-in-a-row hero said: “It’s always difficult for Rangers going to Tynecastle and Derek will know that better than anyone.

“Hearts got a doing at Celtic Park a week ago and that would have hurt the players. So against Rangers, they’ll want to put that right especially in front of their own fans.

“They’ll be determined not to lose against one of the Old Firm again and certainly not like they did at Parkhead.

“That’s why it will be such a hard game for Rangers. It will be a cracking atmosphere and Hearts will fancy it.

“Rangers will need to be at their best to win. But that’s what’s great about having Derek in there as manager now.

“He knows exactly what it will be like so the players will know what to expect.

“They’ll need to be at it right from the off and be ready for everything Hearts throw at them.

“In these games, it’s not about how well you play - it’s about the players’ attitude and desire to get a result.

“Derek will have Rangers fired up as well. Hopefully they can get a win and if they do it will be an important one in terms of keeping the pressure on Celtic at the top of the league.”

Miller will pull the boots back on today (Sunday) for a charity match in Glasgow to raise funds for the Marie Curie Hospice.

A Possil All Stars team will take on celebrity side Dukla Pumpherton at Keppoch Park in memory of locals Kasey Haldane and Michelle Duffy.

Miller will line-up alongside the likes of Andy McLaren, Gerry McCabe, Kyle Lafferty and Gerry Farrell.

The former Rangers star said: “It’s always great to get back on the pitch again especially with some ex-players I know well.

“It’s for a great cause and hopefully people will turn up to show their support and raise much a lot of money.”