Rangers 3 Hearts 1
By Ken Gaunt, PA Sport

A new Scottish season has a familiar pattern, with Rangers already in pole position in the Bell's premier division.

The home fans were quick to point out they are already three points ahead of Old Firm rivals Celtic after just 90 minutes of the new season.

Two goals from Marco Negri left Hearts broken and complaining at the injustice of it all at Ibrox tonight.

Alex Cleland added a third before substitute Colin Cameron got a late consolation for Hearts.

The championship flag was unfurled on a night when Rangers began their bid for a record 10th successive title with keeper Andy Goram making a surprise return after missing the last six games of last season with a groin strain.

His return was a welcome boost not only for Rangers manager Walter Smith, but also for national coach Craig Brown.

Rangers fielded four of their new summer signings in Negri, Staale Stensaas, Sergio Porrini and Jonas Thern.

With the likes of Paul Gascoigne, Lorenzo Amorouso, Tony Vidmar and Ally McCoist not in contention tonight, they appear to have formidable strength in depth.

Hearts came under pressure in the early stages when a corner from Jorg Albertz was allowed to run across the face of the area.

Craig Moore latched on to the free ball, only to see his effort blocked by Stephen Frail.

Then Albertz saw a shot diverted to safety by Grant Murray after Thern had set up the chance.

Hearts keeper Gilles Rousset turned a snap-shot from Brian Laudrup, the new Ibrox skipper, round before being beaten in the 39th minute.

Laudrup's shot was beaten out by the keeper, only for Negri to stab at it. Rousset and David Weir combined to try and keep the ball out, but referee Stewart Dougal ruled the ball had gone over the line.

Rousset was booked and was still gathering his thoughts a minute later when Negri chipped him delightfully from 15 yards following a through ball from Ian Ferguson.

That effectively killed the game off and Negri should have had a hat-trick, his 65th minute shot rattling the bar, before he was crowded out when he raced on to a ball from Laudrup 10 minutes later.

Negri was again cursing his luck when Rousset got in the way of a goalbound header, but five minutes from time Cleland added the third.

The Hearts defence stood off him and he rifled a shot beyond Rousset that went in off a post.

Hearts got a consolation goal three minutes from time when Cameron beat Goram following a cross from substitute Stephane Adam, but it was too little too late.

Taken from sportinglife.com