Eduardas Kurskis Has Shocker As He Hands It To Gers

RANGERS 2 HEARTS 1

RANGERS have Eduardas Kurskis to thank for gifting them victory - but will need to improve on this performance if they are to win the league.

Walter Smith's men never really got going and rarely troubled shaky Jambos keeper Kurskis whose last-gasp clanger handed them the points.

Work will needed to be done in the January transfer window and a new hitman must be a priority for Smith.

When teams win titles they usually have a potent strikeforce. Rangers have scorers on their books but seem to lack a combination who can play together effectively.

Kenny Miller is the latest name linked with a move to Ibrox but he does not appeal to a number of Gers fans.

Boss Smith said: "There will not be as many players leaving in January as is being made out. One or two might go and the same number might come in.

"But we can't do anything for a few weeks and our main focus is now on next Sunday's game at Aberdeen.

"I was pleased we won, albeit there was a bit of good fortune with our winner.

"Lee McCulloch will be pleased to score both goals as he might have been a little bit frustrated recently."

After the disappointing performance and result against Lyon last week Rangers knew they had to come out flying.

There was a determination about Barry Ferguson and his team-mates as they took the game to the visitors.

Charlie Adam has scored a few spectacular strikes and nearly added another in the fourth minute when the ball sat up nicely for him almost 30 yards from goal and his curling effort crashed off the junction of bar and post.

In the first half Ferguson and Brahim Hemdani controlled the engine room although Jambos central midfielder Eggert Jonsson caught the eye with his energy and quick feet.

Young forward Andrew Driver also impressed for Hearts but it was a pity most of his team-mates weren't on form.

Too many couldn't pass from A to B and there was a lethargic look about the Gorgie men. Saulius Mikoliun as was particularly poor.

With so much possession it was no surprise to see the home team take the lead in 17 minutes through McCulloch.

Adam drilled a 30-yard pass to the edge of the Hearts box for Kris Boyd but the striker was beaten to it by Jose Goncalves.

The danger wasn't properly cleared and Goncalves' hesitation was punished by McCulloch.

The Scotland man nicked the ball to go one-on-one with Kurskis, compose himself then place the ball past the keeper from12 yards with a fine finish.

McCulloch was delighted to score after being told to get as close as possible to lone striker Boyd while Daniel Cousin paid for his midweek flop by being axed from the squad.

Little happened in the first half after the goal but Hearts were clearly intent to make a game of it after the break and the action exploded into life when they equalised in 56 minutes.

After knocking the ball about well with some good passing and movement the Jambos won a free-kick on the right wing.

Driver whipped in the ball and Andrius Velicka got above a static Carlos Cuellar to bullet home a header from eight yards past motionless Allan McGregor.

Rangers realised they were in trouble and tried to respond.

Stevie Naismith broke down the right and played in the overlapping Alan Hutton.

He drilled a cross into the six-yard box and Boyd was only denied a goal by a combination of Robbie Neilson and Kurskis.

That was the striker's last involvement as he was subbed with 20 minutes left for Jean-Claude Darcheville.

Boyd clearly wasn't happy and booted the technical area in frustration. Rangers put in plenty effort in the closing stages but were predictable and scrappy.

However, in 86 minutes they got the winner through McCulloch.

Adam played a free-kick to Hutton who drove it into the danger area from the edge of the box.

McCulloch stuck out a foot and deflected the ball towards goal.

It should have been an easy take for Kurskis on his line as it spun in the air but he somehow dropped the ball into the net for a horrendous error. Hearts coach Stevie Frail couldn't defend the Lithuanian but called on Jambos' powerbrokers to put their faith in one keeper and stick with him.

They have used Stevie Banks, Anthony Basso and Kurskis in recent weeks and Frail said: "It was a bad mistake and a horrible way to lose. We have to get the right keeper playing every week.

"Whoever is picking the team must get that position right because it's more important than selecting the correct striker."

REF WATCH

DOUGIE McDONALD started well but his day steadily got worse. The whistler made some strange decisions in the second half and infuriated the home supporters when he denied Gers a good penalty shout. Could have let the game flow more and has plenty of room for improvement after this inconsistent performance. Rating: 5/10.

Taken from the Sunday Mail