| Report Index--> 1995-96--> All for 19960410 | ||||
| <-Page | <-Team | Wed 10 Apr 1996 Hearts 2 Rangers 0 | Team-> | Page-> |
| <-Srce | <-Type | Observer ------ Report | Type-> | Srce-> |
| Jim Jefferies | <-auth | None | auth-> | Hugh Dallas |
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| 1 | of 002 | Neil Pointon 34 ;Allan Johnston 84 | L Premier | H |
Rivals take heart as leaders Rangers stumble to defeat ScottishPremier Division: Heart of Midlothian 2, Rangers 0 The Guardian (Manchester); Apr 11, 1996; PATRICK GLENN RANGERS' defeat at Tynecastle last night saw their lead cut to four points with Celtic drawing at home to Kilmarnock, and it would have boosted Hearts' confidence for next month's Hampden Park showdown against the champions in the Scottish Cup final. While Neil Pointon and Allan Johnston saw Hearts, impressive 3 0 winners at Ibrox in January, to victory over Rangers, Pierre van Hooydonk rescued Celtic from defeat at Parkhead with a late equaliser after Jim McIntyre had put Kilmarnock ahead on the stroke of half-time. Pointon's goal was all the more stunning because Rangers had just been denied by an impressive piece of defending from Ritchie. Steven, starting a match for the first time since last August, released Laudrup on the left with a magnificent pass. The Dane then crossed towards McCoist inside the six-yard box, but Ritchie, alert and quick, intercepted to concede a corner. Just afterwards at the other end Mackay's pass was dummied by Cameron, making his Hearts debut after signing from Raith Rovers, to Pointon and the Englishman sent a left-foot chip high to Goram's left from 20 yards. Even before the goal, however, Hearts had demonstrated a willingness to take the game to their opponents, with Johnston, Cameron and Robertson all producing some menace for Gough, back at the heart of Rangers' defence after a five-match absence through injury. Hearts frequently looked the more relaxed of the two sides, befitting a team for whom the championship is an irrelevance. They almost extended their lead when Gough's clearance rebounded from Robertson to Johnston, but the winger pulled his shot from the right wide of the far post. An unusually panicky McCoist also missed a good opportunity for the equaliser when Laudrup played the ball through to the edge of the area. McCoist turned clear, but rushed an untidy shot well wide. He was booked shortly afterwards for a foul on Ritchie. Johnston's magnificent second goal, when he rounded Goram and shot into an empty net from Fulton's through pass, was merely confirmation of Hearts' superiority on another stirring night for them. Hearts: Rousset; McManus, Ritchie, Mackay, McPherson, Bruno, Johnston, Cameron, Robertson (Thomas, 76min), Fulton, Pointon (Colquhoun, 85). Rangers: Goram; Cleland (Durie, 62), Robertson, Gough, McLaren, Petric (Brown, 82), Steven (Ferguson, 82), Gascoigne, McCoist, McCall, Laudrup. Referee: H Dallas (Motherwell). |
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| <-Page | <-Team | Wed 10 Apr 1996 Hearts 2 Rangers 0 | Team-> | Page-> |
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