Hateley strikes twice as Hearts' Millar is sent off

Ian Paul

15 Apr 1993

Hearts 2, Rangers 3

DESPITE fielding a side which was short of five internationalists, Rangers were able to gather another two points en route to the premier division championship, thanks mainly to a memorable contribution by striker Mark Hateley.

He scored two headed goals in the second half, giving him 27 in all this season, to put Rangers into what proved to be a winning lead after a first half when they looked decidedly unsure of themselves.

But Hearts, who had been in front after only 15 minutes, came back in the closing stages to reduce the gap to a single goal.

By then they were down to 10 men, John Millar having been sent off in 68 minutes, but their renewed challenge came just a bit too late.

Rangers are now close to putting the ribbons on the league championship trophy -- and might well do so if they beat Partick Thistle on Saturday, but that is dependent on Aberdeen dropping a point against Hearts at the same time.

The unexpected composition of Rangers line-up kept the standites deep in discussion well into the action.

Out were Ally McCoist, Richard Gough, and Dave McPherson, joining two other already declared non-starters, Andy Goram and David Robertson.

The failure of McCoist, McPherson, and Gough to pass fitness tests in the morning came as a surprise to manager Walter Smith ("I was sure all of them would be able to play.") as well as to the rest of us, but at least their absence allowed the introduction of young players, in particular 20-year-old Englishman Stephen Watson, who made his first appearance since signing three years ago from Merseyside junior team, Maudsley.

Another Stephen, Pressley, who has some experience of the big time, came into central defence, while Gary McSwegan, who also has had his opportunities in the top team, took over the McCoist role.

Altogether it was a strange looking Rangers side in contrast to the familiar names in the Hearts squad, which was missing only Alan McLaren from their normal selection, although Eamonn Bannon was called back in place of Allan Preston.

Inside 15 minutes the new Ibrox line-up was in trouble.

A free kick by Derek Ferguson on the right was headed by Levein towards goal and Robertson appeared to help the ball on its way over the line.

Soon after Rangers made a change, bringing on Ian Durrant for Pieter Huistra, who had taken a severe hip knock in the early minutes.

Brown was booked for disputing a decision with the far-side linesman, and very quickly afterwards Baird had his name taken for voicing his opinion to the referee.

Midway through the half Rangers gave themselves a bit of a shake, but Levein and van de Ven coped comfortably until two minutes from the interval.

At that point they and the others defending the penalty area were caught dreaming when Rangers equalised.

It seemed as if the whole defence stood still when a lob from Ian Ferguson landed close to the penalty spot and McCall stuck out his right foot to steer the ball past Walker.

Derek Ferguson was booked for tripping Hateley within three minutes of the start of the second half, and the referee produced another yellow card for Millar, who had broken ranks at the free kick which followed.

Rangers, as has been their habit this season, stepped up a gear and Durrant sent over a cross which Hateley measured before heading the ball over Walker's head and into the net.

If that was a typical Hateley strike the next one, in 62 minutes, was a real Mark speciality.

Durrant pushed the ball forward to him and he backheeled it into the path of McCall.

When the midfield player chipped it across goal Hateley judged his header to perfection, leaving Walker stranded.

And if that had not put Hearts in enough trouble, they were reduced to 10 men in 68 minutes when Millar was ordered off after a second bookable offence when he fouled Durrant.

To their credit, Hearts did not abandon hope and they were well worth their second goal five minutes from time, when a cross by Levein was headed past Ally Maxwell by Bannon.

HEARTS -- Walker, Berry, McKinlay, Levein, Mackay, van de Ven, Robertson, D Ferguson, Baird, Millar, Bannon.

Substitutes -- I Ferguson, Hogg.

RANGERS -- Maxwell, McCall, Watson, Murray, Pressley, Brown, Steven, Ferguson, McSwegan, Hateley, Huistra.

Substitutes -- Durrant, Hagen.

Referee -- K W Clark (Paisley).

Taken from the Herald