PRE-MATCH PREPARATION IS CRAMPING JAMBOS STYLE

CHANGES were the order of the day at Ibrox for this important clash.

Before the game the Gers fans roared their approval as Paul Le Guen ditched his 4-2-3-1 formation in favour of a 4-4-2 line up that included new signings Lee Martin, Phil Bardsley and the return of Kris Boyd.

Hearts opted for an adventurous 3-4-3 formation with Calum Elliott joining Edgaras Jankauskas and Roman Bednar up front.

But any truthful Jambo watching the game would have to accept that for the entire 90 minute their team was inept, not once doing anything that demanded a save from home keeper Lionel Leitizi.

Rangers dominated in every area of the pitch. Dado Prso was the pick of a number of good performances. He was magnificent.

In the build-up to the match Boyd had pleaded for a chance to shine and in turn Le Guen asked his main goal threat to do his talking on the pitch.

Boyd handled that pressure well and in front of his old gaffer Alex McLeish he came up with the goods.

Gers were by far the better side throughout and should have been in front long before the half-time whistle. And it was no surprise when they eventually broke the deadlock.

Hearts' start to the second half was so amateurish.

They lost possession from their own kick-off and when Prso burst down the left and into the box he was clever enough to draw the foul from Robbie Neilson.

Boyd was ruthless from the spot.

Minutes later it was all over as a contest when Boyd headed past an otherwise impressive Craig Gordon.

Hearts simply couldn't muster enough fighting spirit to get back into the game and yesterday's performance doesn't bode well for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens on Wednesday night.

The outspoken Vladimir Romanov certainly won't be happy at missing out on a potential £7million jackpot.

For Rangers, match winner Boyd thoroughly deserves his place in the team simply because he's ruthless. However, his manager was right to point out he can improve in other aspects of his game.

Hopefully the former Kilmarnock striker will take this on board.

Goals will always be the most important thing in football but in general play Boyd's touch and work-rate can get better.

Working the keeper is his great strength.

Apart from a glaring miss in the first half when Neilson cleared off the line every effort from Boyd troubled the keeper.

And for all of Rangers' impressive build-up play in recent weeks if there's no end product points are dropped needlessly.

If Prso was the star man the tremendous width and penetration of Martin and Chris Burke had the Ibrox fans off their feet.

Bardsley was another success. He received a warm round of applause when Alan Hutton replaced him with an hour to go and he deserved it.

His use of the ball was excellent and he struck up a good understanding with the tireless Burke.

Hearts?

Their fans must surely realise they lack a top-class striker, an essential ingredient for challenging the best.

What Tynecastle player can go to difficult away venues and control the play?

Despite the rantings of Romanov the truth is Hearts are not good enough to stand comparison with the Old Firm, on or off the pitch. Near the end they lost their discipline with Steven Pressley, Takis Fyssas and Neilson all picking up yellow cards, Neilson eventually seeing red for yet another foul on Martin.

On yesterday's evidence the Jambos are a decent side and nothing more.

Ever since I've been watching football they have always been capable of beating the Old Firm, particularly at Tynecastle.

Occasionally they succeed at Ibrox or Celtic Park but rarely when it counts.

Given what Romanov believes of a west coast bias conspiracy theories are nothing new in Gorgie.

I learned yesterday that several of the Hearts players are unhappy at how the team prepares for games.

Two of their squad went down with cramp well before the end of the game and at this stage of the season that surely has to be a worry.

I fear Pressley and Paul Hartley will have more work to do off the park in convincing their team-mates that they can build on last season's success.

A good team spirit is crucial at every club and if anyone feels as if he can't speak out for fear of losing his place it makes the role of the Scottish players at the heart of the club even more important.

When all else fails the players have to stick together to achieve anything and that will be doubly difficult when some are unhappy with training and build-up to games.

Romanov has already complained about pre-season preparations to boss Valdas Ivanauskas.

And with such criticism coming from a man who has little respect for the position of a manager, coach or player, I hope Ivanauskas is prepared for the fall-out if as seems likely Hearts lose out on a taste of the big time this week.

Taken from the Sunday Mail