ADAM ECKERSLEY, the Hearts defender, has waded into the simmering row with Rangers and insists the Ibrox club overstepped the mark with their aggressive approach to last Saturday's SPFL Championship match.

And he has warned Celtic that he will relish a battle in this Sunday's Scottish Cup tie if Ronny Deila's side deploy similar tactics. "Some of their feet were a good half a foot up in the air and the studs were up," he said. "It's just wrong.

"Is it a compliment? If you want to come out and try and hurt us . . . we came out on top and that shows our strength.

"I don't blame any team that comes and puts the boot in. I think every team should come and do that."