Hateley marks another two for Rangers But Robertson on the spot for Hearts

JAMES TRAYNOR

28 Dec 1993

Rangers 2, Hearts 2

WHERE would Rangers be without Mark Hateley, who quite literally towers head and shoulders above everyone else at Ibrox?

His influence and goal-scoring ability spread so widely that he was mentioned even by John Robertson, the player who scored Hearts' second goal in the third minute of injury time and secured a valuable point for his beleaguered side.

Robertson has been out of favour at Tynecastle recently, but was sprung from the dugout yesterday 14 minutes from time with Hearts, who had been performing well enough to merit a point, trailing 2-1.

He took a corner on the left and when Neil Murray struck the ball with a hand, Robertson wanted to take the penalty.

He thumped the ball into the net from the spot for his seventh goal of the season.

It was the first time he had ruffled a net since October, and the goal ended a period of frustration for the striker.

"Nobody likes to be left out," the Scottish internationalist said, "but Sandy Clark is paid to make these kind of decisions and to be fair, unless you are playing the way Mark Hateley is, you cannot expect to be an automatic first choice.

"I only hope that our point will give us a lift for the derby game against Hibernian."

Hearts' game plan was to attack at every opportunity knowing their opponents' home record is dismal, and when it was discovered that Richard Gough had not recovered in time to play the Edinburgh side were given greater hope.

It soon became clear that Rangers' back line was still in erratic mood and Hearts took advantage after only 10 minutes.

John Colquhoun delivered the ball from a free kick on the right, Maurice Johnston, who found those who had once lauded him had now turned venomously against him, headed on, and John Millar, who played only because Gary Mackay injured his back during the warm-up, stabbed the ball into the net.

It was the first time a Hearts player had scored outside of Edinburgh this season.

Again Rangers were toiling in their own back yard, and although they produced some decent touches and played one or two telling passes their work lacked composure, the sort of calmness required to take control of a game and douse the fire in the other side's play.

Oleg Kuznetsov was still in the side, but it is impossible now to watch him play without feeling sad.

He was a gifted performer, he still possesses a touch few can equal, but he is slow and ponderous in the Scottish game.

He was one of three Rangers players booked -- Stuart McCall and John Brown were the others and Hearts' Tosh McKinlay and Allan Johnston also were cautioned -- but it was one of his touches which led to Rangers' second goal in 70 minutes.

The Ukrainian's strength carried him through a tackle just inside Hearts' half and he played a delightful pass which released Pieter Huistra, who had started the second half in place of Gordon Durie.

Huistra sent in an early cross low to the far side of the box where Hateley was arriving at speed.

He had enough power in his shot to beat Nicky Walker and put Rangers into the lead which they should have been experienced enough to protect.

Hateley's first goal, scored in 21 minutes, was a diamond and typical of the striker.

Trevor Steven's alacrity of mind and foot took him away from two barging defenders on the right-hand area of Hearts' box and provided room for him to chip to the far side where Jim Weir and Hateley were waiting.

Weir positioned himself where he thought the ball would drop, but Hateley never waits.

He launched himself and headed powerfully into the top left-hand corner.

Without his contributions Rangers would probably find themselves middle of the table, and although they feel unfortunate that they have had to endure so many injuries this season, it is as well for them that a higher authority seems to be watching over their star striker, who has escaped serious hurt despite playing at the sharp end.

The same cannot be said for Durie and McCall, who also was substituted at the interval.

He took a bang on a side, damaging some ribs and Chris Vinnicombe was sent on at left full back, leaving Murray free to step into midfield.

It will be a couple of days before the extent of the injuries to McCall and Durie, who has Achilles damage, will be known, but it Rangers' failure to perform as a team with confidence which must be worrying Walter Smith more than anything else.

RANGERS -- Maxwell, Stevens, Brown, Pressley, Murray, Steven, Kuznetsov, McCall, Mikhailichenko, Durie, Hateley.

Substitutes -- Huistra, Vinnicombe, Scott.

HEARTS -- Walker, Berry, McKinlay, McLaren, Weir, Locke, A.

Johnston, Colquhoun, Millar, M.

Johnston, Foster.

Substitutes -- Robertson, Wright, Smith.

Referee -- D.

McVicar (Carluke).

Taken from the Herald