Gers must find missing revs in home straight

The 1-1 draw with Hearts clearly favoured the home team who still hold the berth behind runaway leaders Celtic and a six-point gap between themselves and Alex McLeish's players.

Over the piece, McLeish knew his players should have won this match.

In what, for long periods, was a war of attrition, with defences on top at either end, they carved out all the genuine chances only to be denied by some world-class goalkeeping from Craig Gordon and their own failings in front of goal.

At times it was fraught, most times it was bruising. Certainly, given what was at stake for both teams, the emphasis was on aggression rather than skill.

But Hearts, who had held the lead courtesy of a contentious Edgar Jankauskas goal, emerged from this torrid encounter with what they wanted.

NOW, with eight games to be played out over the final weeks of the season, Rangers have to hope that others will do them a turn.

That is never something that sits comfortably with managers and players but, nevertheless, there are enough agendas being pursued up and down the SPL to suggest that Graham Rix's side will come under serious pressure and drop points.

Hearts, in their eight remaining games, have to play Celtic twice, go to Easter Road and Ibrox.

And, against the backdrop of possibly more imploding given the way the club is stewarded by Vladimir Romanov, there is also a serious lack of experience in the Jambos ranks to cope with the strain that is about to be placed on them.

Rangers have a tough run-in as well, including a trip to Parkhead after the split, but they have course and distance winners in their ranks.

Crucially, they have Hearts to come at their own place and that encounter next month will be quite compelling.

In between, both teams have to try and rack up victories and McLeish firmly believes the gap can be bridged.

"Absolutely," was his response to that question, "There are still a lot of points to be played for and we will fight for every one. I do believe this could go to the wire again.

"We have done well to cut a 16-point gap down to six points and we still have eight matches to play. I was delighted with the spirit shown, especially in the second half when we fought back well to get into the game.

"We had the better chances and were denied by a fantastic save or two from a top-class keeper and we should have done a bit better ourselves in certain situations.

"But it's still all to play for. Eight games to go and everyone here has to be focused on going for it."

Like the earlier meeting between the teams in the capital, Hearts flew out the traps and had the lead within nine minutes of play. Again, just like their recent European tie against Villarreal at Ibrox, Rangers fell foul of the new offside rules that have created phrases never before used, like "active" and "second phase".

Paul Hartley burst onto a through ball and was clearly onside but, in the middle of the box, Jankauskas was clearly offside.

Hartley looked up and squared for the big Lithuanian who had, by this time, turned and got himself back into play and it was an easy task to roll into the empty net as Ronald Waterreus floundered in no- man's land.

"I would need to see it again," said McLeish. "We got cut open and there was too much space for Hartley. That was disappointing from us, but we defended very strongly after that."

This early goal suited Hearts and, given the way they defend their own back door, Rangers' task looked a serious one as there was little to suggest that they would breach the maroon wall.

Several changes in formation took place, with Dado Prso, Thomas Buffel and Peter Lovenkrands all interchanging, but it was again left to Chris Burke to be the main creator.

Buffel must have felt he had levelled the match in the 54th minute when a crisp volley left his boot, but somehow Gordon twisted his massive frame to claw the ball away with one hand.

The little Belgian held his head in his hands. But, 10 minutes later, he was celebrating, this time his finish at the back stick after a brilliant run and cross from Burke enough to find the net despite Gordon's lunge.

It was all Rangers, with Waterreus a virtual spectator, and Burke should have done better from close range in the 77th minute.

Likewise, Buffel had another chance, and Boyd in acres of space with an open goal beckoning, but Rangers could not find that killer touch, while Robbie Neilson smacked the bar from long range to remind everyone Hearts were still looking for victory.

Now, with the title about to move across Glasgow in the not too distant future, this battle for second place will provide the intrigue in the next six weeks or so.

Hearts remain in the driving seat, but Rangers have proven in the past they can cause havoc on the final bend.

Taken from Evening Times