Nacho Novo scored the winner in a tense match, tempers flared on AND off the pitch today as the crisis at both clubs boiled over.

Hearts are clearly on a downward spiral with all the in fighting between the Scottish players, the lithuanian players and the owner Vladimir Romanov. Rangers have their problems as well of course although with this victory they have now won two games in a row and the pressure could now be off Paul le Guen for now.

Overall, Rangers were the better team today and Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon had to make three or four vital saves to keep his team in it. Allan McGregor had at least one vital save as well.

McGregor was in the team despite the return to fitness of Lionel Letizi. He will be boosted by the vote of confidence by Paul le Guen who had earlier made it clear that Letizi was his number one, it would seem he has had a re-think.

PLG decided to go for a back four of Smith, Hutton, Svensson and Hemdani, with Sasa Papac being left on the bencg. In midfield he went for Clement, Ferguson and Adam. Up front it was Novo, Prso and Boyd as Le Guen went for an attacking 4-3-3 formation.

Right from the off Rangers took the game to Hearts and in the first few minutes Hutton had a glorious chance to get an early lead but his header went over the bar for a Rangers corner as it took a deflection.

It was a messy game as tempers flared on the pitch, Paul Hartley in particular was involved in a few incidents with Rangers players. Unfortunately there will probably be an inquest as in the second half, at a Rangers corner there was an incident involving Craig Gordon and the Rangers fans.

It is alleged that Craig Gordon said something to the Rangers fans and then a missile (possibly a plastic bottle) was thrown at the Hearts goalkeeper.

Boyd and Prso both had great chances which they really should have scored but Gordon pulled off good saves to keep Rangers out.

The game seemed to have 0-0 written all over it but with thirteen minutes left to play, Nacho Novo popped up to give Rangers the lead. He drilled a shot in from 25 yards out which took a deflection before bursting the Hearts net, leaving Craig Gordon with no chance.

Hearts tried to get back into the game, but apart from a couple of decent shots, they never really threatened the Rangers goal and Rangers hung on to claim all three points.

Rangers are now boosted with the second win on the trot ahead of the vital UEFA Cup clash with Auxerre. This result will take the pressure off Paul le Guen.

Hearts in contrast are in big trouble and who knows where they go from here. At this moment in time there is a demo being staged by the Hearts fans outside the stadium.