Buffel leveller keeps Rangers on Hearts' heels

RANGERS claimed a point from this tense encounter yesterday to remain within six points of Hearts in the race for a Champions League spot but must feel they almost did enough, after a slack start, to edge an influential victory.

Stronger in midfield, where Barry Ferguson was a pivotal figure after the interval, and with a potential matchwinner in Chris Burke, who only needs to add an eye for a goal to his array of attributes to become a full Scotland player, Rangers recovered pretty well from a lacklustre beginning when Edgaras Jankauskas gave Hearts the lead.

In what was an extremely physical contest, which failed to showcase skilful play as much as might have been hoped, Rangers were back on level terms when Burke set up Thomas Buffel. Indeed, Burke himself might have gone on to fire the winner after combining with substitute Kris Boyd.

Hearts had Craig Gordon to thank for a quite exceptional save from Buffel, which involved instinct as well as physical ability, because the Belgian player's touch in front of goal was instant. Buffel's shot would surely have eluded any other goalkeeper in the SPL.

Still six points in front of Rangers with eight games in the championship remaining, Hearts feel they're favourites to finish second behind Celtic. They shaded the first half of this encounter but, as so often happens at Tynecastle, were less convincing the longer the game lasted.

Steven Pressley, on his return from illness, was a rock in central defence, while Julien Brellier and Jankauskas also turned in top-drawer displays for the home side. But their attacking options in midfield became blunted after an hour and it was only when Saulius Mikoliunas replaced Rudi Skacel for the last five minutes that Rangers returned to the back foot.

A measure of the significance of the occasion to both camps was how Alex McLeish and Graham Rix relied on their strongest sides. Hearts left Calum Elliot on the bench and started with ten of the players who defeated Rangers 1-0 in September. This meant Jankauskas and Roman Bednar played up front together for the first time since losing to Rangers at Ibrox in December.

Rangers' thirst for all three points was reflected in an attack-minded five-man midfield (Dado Prso started wide on the left) which pressurised Hearts to such an extent during the early exchanges that Deividas Cesnaukis gave the ball away three times in five minutes. On the other hand, the absence of a player with any defensive know-how in this area cost Rangers dearly.

Taking advantage of the large hole in Rangers' cover, Cesnauskis demonstrated wonderful skill in the ninth minute to set up the opening goal. Taking possession on the right flank after Pressley's pass fizzed towards his feet, the Lithuanian's first touch was exquisite and took out both Ian Murray and Prso. His second touch knocked the ball behind the Rangers' defence. Unselfish as ever, Paul Hartley had made the run in the inside right channel and squared a pass for Jankauskas to side-foot the ball with his left boot past Ronald Waterreus.

Rangers, with an extra man in the middle of the park, enjoyed plenty of possession. But thanks to Brellier's work in front of Hearts' back four - his interception on the edge of the box when Buffel received Ferguson's pass was exceptional - Gordon wasn't overly taxed before the interval.

Hearts often did more with less in the first-half and offered more of a cutting edge around the box. When Hartley supplied the through ball in the 21st minute, Skacel's cut-back was crisp and only a timely block from Murray prevented Jankauskas adding a second.

Jankauskas and Bednar troubled Rangers in the first half with their strength and touch and it took a brave clearance from Brahim Hemdani when Robbie Neilson's long throw arrived in the six-yard box to prevent Jankauskas testing Waterreus.

Although hardly a celebration of silky soccer, the match was compelling. Rangers felt they should have equalised a minute before half-time when Burke dribbled past Andy Webster before delivering a low cross which escaped Buffel at the back post.

Prso could count himself fortunate to stay on the pitch after elbowing Pressley in the face in the 47th minute. By this time the big forward had moved to the centre of attack and Peter Lovenkrands switched to the left. Prso was only booked for his indiscretion, which must have come as a relief.

Rangers could hardly believe they weren't on level terms after 55 minutes when Gordon pulled off one of his best saves. Lovenkrands' free-kick broke through the Hearts defensive wall and fell kindly for Buffel. The Belgian reacted sharply and tucked an eight-yard drive towards the corner of the net. Gordon, however, threw his 6ft 3in frame to the right and clawed the shot round the post.

When Boyd came on to replace Lovenkrands and partner Prso, Rangers matched Hearts' 4-4-2 formation and the ebb and flow of the action quickened. The visitors were now the more eager side and merited their 65th-minute equaliser. Boyd's pass found Burke on the right wing and the Scot made Takis Fyssas pay when the Greek full-back shied away from a challenge. The winger had time to drive the ball across the six-yard box and, on this occasion, Buffel was on hand to stab it over the line.

In a hectic finale, Nacho Novo replaced Prso and Elliot came on for Bednar as both sides sought the decisive second. Ferguson was running the game and had produced a sterling effort for Rangers in central midfield. Burke, meantime, waltzed past Fyssas with alarming regularity.

Hearts were frustrated by a string of decisions which went against them and rarely troubled Waterreus until Neilson's dipping 30-yard shot clipped the crossbar five minutes from the end. By then, both sides had more or less accepted their fate and a share of the spoils.

Taken from the Scotsman