French flair, red devils and blue grit for class act

Up against it and with unease spreading among the fans after successive draws against Dundee United and Dunfermline, the Ibrox side went into this one knowing anything less than three points would have been unacceptable.

The Frenchman claimed he was unaware of the flak flying his way in the build-up to the showdown against the team that finished second last season, as he has still to grasp the language. But you can bet, deep down, Le Guen knew the heat was on.

Undoubtedly, he would have taken any kind of win against a title rival. However, the manner of performance from his young side left Le Guen purring.

And rightly so. Rangers outclassed Hearts from the off, and the Edinburgh side were fortunate to go back along the M8 with only a two-goal defeat.

The football and wing play from Lee Martin and Chris Burke lit up the stadium and left Hearts backline - Robbie Nielsen in particular - in knots.

And the rewards for their best outing yet under Le Guen was top spot in the SPL after Celtic's late stumble in the Highlands yesterday.

Given the age of the team - Rangers starting XI had seven players under the age of 22 - Le Guen believes there is more to come as they gather SPL experience on a week to week basis.

If that is the case, and the inconsistency that often attaches itself to young players can be avoided, then Rangers could take a bit of stopping.

It is, of course, early days and already the three title contenders have all shed points. But there was something about the way Rangers clicked at the weekend that suggested Le Guen is now getting what he wants from this fledgling side.

Hearts swaggered onto the pitch just a couple of weeks after scalping Celtic, with many players in their ranks saying beforehand it was time for them to start winning in Glasgow. But they were swamped by Rangers.

And with impish figures like on-loan Man United kid Martin, all flicks and back heels as he revelled on the big stage, Hearts looked far from title material.

They should have been dead and buried at the break. Julien Rodriguez powered a header past when he should have scored, Craig Gordon pulled off fine saves from Dado Prso and Kris Boyd, while skipper Steven Pressley hoofed a Boyd effort off the line.

Le Guen looked anxious as chances went a begging once again. But within five minutes of the restart the game was over as a contest.

Just seconds in Nielsen tripped Prso in the box. Ref Kenny Clark rightly pointed to the spot and Boyd smashed his effort past Gordon.

And just four minutes later the big striker doubled his tally when he met a superb Martin free-kick in the box to head home from close range.

Prso, outstanding throughout, then drove a shot off the bar at the end of a sublime attacking move, but Rangers settled for their lot with Hearts failing to register one effort on goal in the second period.

Martin continued to terrorise Nielsen and their duel always looked as though it could end with a red card for the tormented full-back.

After picking up a booking for trying to cement the winger, he then got a second yellow in the dying moments for a tug as Martin skinned him again to race into the box.

Maybe it was a bit harsh. But Nielsen is unlikely to be the last full-back Martin rips apart if he stays in that kind of form.

Le Guen will want to ensure that is the case not only for Martin, but his entire team, as Gers finally bared their title teeth.

Taken from Evening Times