SAM NICHOLSON has promised Hibernian that Hearts will be doing all they can to help their rivals' play-off chances by beating Rangers on the final day of the season.

With two games of the campaign remaining, just one point separates Rangers in second place in the SPFL Championship and Hibs in third, with the eventual runners-up playing one tie fewer in the play-offs. With Hearts having already been crowned champions, there were fears among some in the Hibs camp that their neighbours may not be entirely motivated ahead of their final match of the season. Nicholson, though, insisted that wouldn't be the case, especially as the Tynecastle side will pick up the league trophy at full-time and want to do so on a high.

"We have got to approach the Rangers game in a professional manner", said the winger who was named on the shortlist for the Cheque Centre PFA Scotland young player of the year award. "It's not going to be a case of "we've won the league so it doesn't matter".

"We still want to go out and win. It's at Tynecastle, in front of our own fans. We are getting to lift the trophy. We will still do that if we lose but it wouldn't be as special.

"No matter what happens nothing can take away from what we have achieved this season and the players deserve a lot of credit.

"We have been delighted with how it's gone but hopefully we can top it off with two more wins to finish the season."

Nicholson believes Hearts can challenge in the top half of the Premiership next season. "If we can keep our big players and add a few we can have a good season next year. It will be difficult with the likes of Aberdeen, Dundee United and Inverness, but there's no reason why we can't challenge for the top six."