GERS FIRING BLANKS

RANGERS 0

HEARTS 0

THE race for second place remains wide open after Rangers failed to make the most of their dominance and claim a comfortable eight-point lead over Hearts.

The Jambos defended well and rode their luck on a couple of occasions to return to Tynecastle with a point.

And although they will be pleased with the result, the real winners were Aberdeen who leapfrogged the capital club to move four points behind Gers with a game in hand.

The game would have been more of a spectacle if Hearts had opened up a little and provided better service to strikers Andrius Velicka and Roman Bednar.

The Jambos hitmen had to be content with only getting a look-in when they went back to help their defence.

After an indifferent opening 45 minutes Ibrox skipper Barry Ferguson controlled the game but he missed a Dado Prso-type figure in front of him and Rangers just couldn't find a winner.

New boss Walter Smith will be happy with his third clean sheet on the trot but the need for more quality was hammered home as his side drew a blank.

There's no doubt transfer targets such as Hearts star Paul Hartley - left out of the team yesterday - Wigan's Lee McCulloch or Hibs youngster Scott Brown would enhance Smith's side.

The Gers gaffer also needs a powerful and intelligent striker to lead the line as Prso's long-term replacement.

Until new faces are brought in there will be more days like this when points are dropped that should have been in the bag.

Rangers are still fragile and lacking a bit of confidence so a couple of signings are needed this week to lift morale.

They have dominated the headlines since the turn of the year with Paul Le Guen's bust-up with skipper Ferguson leading to the manager's departure.

But the Jambos were the main focus again in the build-up to kick-off after news filtered through that keeper Craig Gordon and Hartley were left out on the instructions of owner Vladimir Romanov.

For the home team Ugo Ehiogu made his debut and partnered fellow new signing Davie Weir at the back. Karl Svensson was demoted to the bench.

Former Middlesbrough stopper Ehiogu had a decent game but his positional play and lack of pace over a short distance were exposed a couple of times. Weir was usually there to protect him.

The veteran Scot popped up at the other end early on and his volley at the back post from Charlie Adam's corner was tipped over by Steve Banks.

That set the tone of the game.

Rangers had the bulk of possession and Hearts were happy to hit on the break, using the pace and trickery of young Andrew Driver who was impressive throughout.

Libor Sionko had a great chance after 10 minutes for Gers but shot well wide from the edge of the box.

And the Czech winger wasted another good opening 16 minutes later when he screwed a shot wide from five yards.

Seconds later Banks pulled of a stunning stop from a close-range Ferguson effort and Christophe Berra blocked Kris Boyd's effort on the rebound to deny the home team a certain goal.

Berra - captain for the day - was outstanding. He read the game well and got in several vital tackles to frustrate Rangers.

Hearts had a sniff of goal on a couple of occasions and threatened when Velicka held off Weir inside the box and fired a shot just wide.

Smith came down from the stand to the technical area after 27 minutes but there was little to excite him as his team didn't put any pressure on Banks for the remainder of the half.

There was plenty of effort from Gers but they lacked quality.

Adam and Ian Murray looked out of touch on the left and there was no chemistry between Boyd and Nacho Novo up front.

However, there was a major improvement after the interval.

Banks denied Novo after 55 minutes when he headed away just outside his area after the Spaniard was sent clear by a lovely 40-yard Adam pass.

The young midfielder then whipped in a terrific cross for Ferguson but the Ibrox skipper nodded wide from six yards.

Smith's side piled on the pressure as the half wore on and deserved a goal.

They had the ball in the net 12 minutes from time when Ferguson got on the end of a Chris Burke cross to shoot home from six yards. However, he was correctly ruled offside after straying a yard beyond the last Hearts defender.

After that Rangers huffed and puffed but there was nothing of note for Banks to stop.

Too often the delivery from wide areas was appalling, with Adam and Burke both guilty.

Keeper Allan McGregor was a spectator at the other end and the Edinburgh club were happy to defend in the hope of leaving with a point.

That's exactly what they got as the teams played out a draw for the first time in eight years.

Hearts will be the happier but they shouldn't kid themselves on as they have gone backwards.

The Jambos aren't a patch on the team they were last season.

And they look like they are about to weaken the squad once more - which could send them into serious decline.

MATCH STATS

RANGERS v HEARTS

SHOTS ON 5

SHOTS OFF 5

OFFSIDE 5

FOULS 8

CORNERS 15

BOOKIGS 11

SHOTS ON 3

SHOTS OFF 6

OFFSIDE 2

FOULS 18

CORNERS 3

BOOKIGS 1

REF WATCH

CHARLIE RICHMOND had a shocker. Called routine decisions wrong and allowed himself to be conned by Hearts players on a couple of occasions. His assistants were also sub-standard and all three must improve. Rating: 3/10.

Taken from the Sunday Mail