Hearts 1 - 0 Rangers

Ignore the fireworks, the parachute displays and the records that are set and broken with each victory. The essence of these changing times at Tynecastle is not found amid the Vladimir Romanov-funded razzamatazz but in its homegrown foundations.

Rangers weren't bewildered by skilful pyrotechnics, they were bludgeoned to defeat by a superior determination that began with Steven Pressley, the Hearts captain, and spread via Andy Webster and Paul Hartley. It may have been Roman Bednar, the talented Czech, who struck the decisive goal but it was the Scotland players in George Burley's team who realised how this significant victory would be achieved. That Craig Gordon, the national team's goalkeeper, was exerted the least tells its own story.

As usual, Burley's appraisal of the match displayed more cautious pragmatism than a convention of Kenny Dalglish impersonators. The only non-Old Firm team to win their opening eight matches since the inception of the Premier League 30 years ago and the best start to a league season by Hearts since 1914? "Remarkable," agreed the Hearts manager, in the way that most people might appreciate a good sandwich.

That, of course, is exactly the style of leadership needed around Tynecastle right now. Hyperbole will increasingly surround the club but this match, raw in the extreme, proved only the multiple problems facing Alex McLeish in maintaining a credible defence of Rangers' SPL title. They headed back along the M8 angered they had not been awarded a late penalty when Robbie Neilson's hand blocked a shot from Francis Jeffers – one of three contentious spot-kick dismissals by Kenny Clark, the referee – but their biggest grievance would have been at how poorly they played.

"The ball just fired right at me and I couldn't move," said Neilson, who suggested Hearts were due the break after the controversy of Rangers' late winner at Tynecastle in April.

"I think I was quite lucky that my hands were right beside me . . . if they'd been high he would have given the penalty."

McLeish's side did stage a remarkable recovery last season and, even with 11 points and a sense of direction to regain this time around, a repeat cannot yet be discounted.

Burley, a smart politician, wasn't about to claim a general election triumph after the first few declarations. The SPL may indeed now be a three-party state, but this result would still have been gladly greeted at Celtic's campaign HQ. It will take longer to break the Old Firm's concept of who the most dangerous candidates are.

The concern for Hearts lies in their shallow depth of squad. Bednar could face a significant absence after being clattered by Marvin Andrews and his first-half substitution left Burley's side stripped of potency. Rudi Skacel's scoring run was finally halted as, after a thrilling first 20 minutes, he faded into the background. A few touches, a few tricks, but mostly staring into the sky to find the ball.

Two Czech journalists arrived in Edinburgh to report on the new hero of Hearts but spent most of the match in sniggering disbelief. "Is Scottish football always like this?", they asked as punt after punt followed free-kick after free-kick.

McLeish was wary of the physical threat posed by Bednar and Edgaras Jankuaskas and started with a 3-5-2 formation which failed to provide any more security. His side could have taken the lead had Olivier Bernard not made a hash of a header at the back post but Rangers then found themselves compressed into defence.

On 13 minutes, Jankauskas glanced a header from Skacel's cross, which Ronald Waterreus blocked and Julien Rodriguez scrambled behind. Hartley delivered a wonderfully fast, flat corner and Bednar peeled away from Andrews to head into the far corner. Delirium descended over Tynecastle.

The dismal defending was replicated shortly afterwards when Skacel dug out the finest delivery of the match towards Bednar at the back post, but he could only head over the bar.

Stephen Simmons proved a less threatening replacement after the Czech limped out on 26 minutes and McLeish soon returned to a 4-4-2 by withdrawing Rodriguez for Thomas Buffel. The Frenchman had narrowly avoided conceding a penalty after planting two hands on Simmons' back and pushing him to the ground.

There were two more first-half substitutions as Nacho Novo hobbled off for Jeffers and Burley's gamble on Takis Fyssas lasted only 32 minutes before the Greek had to make way for Jamie McAllister.

Rangers' second-half strategy needed a surprise attack, but remained predictable. Barry Ferguson, who vented frustration at some of his less capable team-mates, was booked by Clark on 69 minutes for diving – a decision proved wrong when Hartley later admitted nudging the Rangers captain.

Introducing Federico Nieto was McLeish's last throw of the dice and the Argentine set up Jeffers for the shot that struck Neilson with just two minutes left.

The final whistle brought relief for Hearts and recrimination from Rangers, as some of their players questioned Clark. Pressley and Ian Murray became embroiled in heated disagreement but the Hearts captain could soothe his ire with the man-of-the-match champagne. His chances of a bigger celebration next May continue to rise.

Taken from the Herald