Keeper's howler breaks Hearts

By BARRY ANDERSON AT IBROX STADIUM
Rangers 2
McCulloch (18)
Kurskis (og 86)

Hearts 1
Velicka (56)
HEARTS' persistence with inadequate goalkeepers cost them a priceless point at Ibrox this afternoon as Eduardas Kurskis gift-wrapped an early Christmas present for Rangers.

With the game poised evenly at 1-1, the Lithuanian dropped a straightforward ball into his goal four minutes from time to hand the home side a fortuitous three points. Andrius Velicka had earlier scored Hearts' 500th SPL goal to equalise Lee McCulloch's opener, but the visitors returned along the M8 cursing another costly error by Kurskis in only his second appearance.

The 31-year-old's positioning was suspect for both Motherwell goals seven days previously, although his latest error was considerably more glaring. The situation must surely prompt Vladimir Romanov to sign a goalkeeper during the January window if he insists on restricting Steve Banks to a coaching role. Hearts' other keeper, Anthony Basso, was not in the matchday 18.

The victory moved Rangers to within two points of Celtic at the top of the league, although the champions are due to visit Inverness tomorrow.

A Hearts team detailing two changes faced up to their hosts' bold 4-3-3 formation during the game's early stages. Calum Elliot and Ruben Palazuelos replaced Audrius Ksanavicius and the suspended Michael Stewart respectively.

A curling drive from Charlie Adam after only three minutes eluded Kurskis to rebound off the junction of post and bar. Moments later, the Lithuanian showed instinctive reactions to block Steven Naismith's attempt following McCulloch's head flick.

Rangers had signalled their intent and proceeded to monopolise possession before opening the scoring through McCulloch. Jose Goncalves initially won Charlie Adam's long ball from defence despite pressure from Kris Boyd, but the Portuguese reacted slowly to the second ball. McCulloch swiftly gathered possession to guide a right-footed shot beyond the helpless Kurskis.

Hearts' goal attempts in a less-than-thrilling first half were from distance, Saulius Mikoliunas and Andy Driver both sending shots wide of Allan McGregor's rigging. Mikoliunas made way for his compatriot Kestutis Ivaskevicius during the interval and the midfielder instigated the move which brought Hearts their 500th SPL goal on 55 minutes.

From Ivaskevicius' pass, Robbie Neilson was impeded by the former Hibs defender Steven Whittaker. Driver angled the set-piece into Rangers' penalty area and Andrius Velicka evaded the attentions of both Carlos Cuellar and David Weir to nod home the equaliser.

It was Hearts' first on-target attempt, but that mattered little to the pocket of travelling supporters in the north-east corner of the stadium. Their side looked transformed and entered their best spell of the afternoon having suddenly discovered the confidence to take the game to Rangers. Bizarrely, the visitors then opted to withdraw Velicka despite the forward betraying no signs of an injury. Christian Nade was the replacement.

The match raged from end to end and it required the attentions of both Marius Zaliukas and Eggert Jonsson to stifle Boyd's 63rd-minute effort from a low Steven Naismith cross. For the Tynecastle side, Ivaskevicius was a constant menace out wide with neither Whittaker nor Adam able to contain the Lithuanian.

Driver stung McGregor's fingers with a long-range strike as the Ibrox natives grew increasingly restless. The substitution of Boyd for Jean-Claude Darcheville was roundly jeered but Kurskis' late aberration handed Rangers victory on a plate.

Adam's short free-kick was delivered into the penalty area by Whittaker and McCulloch's effort spun goalwards. Under no pressure, Kurskis allowed the ball to squirm from his grasp and into the net to the astonishment of all inside Ibrox
Stadium. In the technical area, Stephen Frail's reaction said it all. He simply turned, shook his head, and held his arms out by his side.

If his superiors and Romanov insist on selecting the worst of Hearts' three goalkeepers, what indeed can a humble assistant coach - or anyone else for that matter - do?

Rangers (4-3-3): McGregor; Hutton, Cuellar, Weir, Whittaker; Ferguson, Hemdani, Adam; Naismith, Boyd, McCulloch. Subs: Carroll, Papac, Ehiogu, Burke 84 (for Naismith), Darcheville 69 (for Boyd), Furman, Efrem.

Hearts (4-5-1): Kurskis; Neilson, Zaliukas, Berra, Goncalves; Mikoliunas, Elliot, Jonsson, Palazuelos, Driver; Velicka. Subs: Banks, Wallace, Nade 60 (for Velicka), Beniusis 88 (for Palazuelos), Ivaskevicius 46 (for Mikoliunas), McGowan, Brown.

Attendance: 48,392.

Referee: Dougie McDonald.