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Hearts cemented their spot at top of the Scottish Premiership as two goals in four first-half minutes saw them beat Rangers 2-1 at Tynecastle on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from Stuart Findlay and Lawrence Shankland helped the home side end Rangers’ eight game unbeaten league run under German head coach Danny Rohl, as they took all three points in a crucial title clash in the capital. Youssef Chermiti reduced the deficit with the final kick of the game, but it was too little too late for the visitors.
The day almost started in perfect fashion for Rangers when Bojan Miovski tapped home Emmanuel Fernandez’s header from close range. Referee Nick Walsh ruled the goal out for offside, though, following a VAR intervention - and Derek McInnes’ side never looked back as they enjoyed a mammoth victory in Gorgie.
Hearts moved provisionally nine points clear of Celtic, who were in action later on Sunday against Aberdeen, while Rangers sit in fourth and trail the league leaders by 12 points. Motherwell occupy third place, a point ahead of the Ibrox side.
Here’s how The Scotsman rated the performance of each player as Hearts beat Rangers 2-1 at Tynecastle.
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1. Alexander Schwolow (Hearts) - 7
Made a good save from a deflected Moore shot early on that kept the scores level, and stood up to whatever Rangers had to throw at him. | SNS Group
2. Jack Butland (Rangers) - 5
While there was little he could do with a really well-worked opening goal, he'll be extremely disappointed not to keep the second goal out. Simply has to do better. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
3. Michael Steinwender (Hearts) - 7
The versatile defender won the bulk of his defensive duels. | SNS Group
4. James Tavernier (Rangers) - 6
Delivery from set pieces was excellent, but his teammates couldn't capitalise on them. Comedically slipped on his backside, taking a free-kick seconds after Hearts opened the scoring, much to the delight of the home crowd. | PA