Rangers 2 Hearts 0

By Lisa Gray, PA Sport Chief Scottish Football Writer

Kyle Lafferty claimed his first competitive goal for Rangers to help secure all three points against Hearts in their Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash.

There was also a first strike of the season for Kris Boyd, who converted from the penalty spot in the final minute of the game.

It proved to be a day to forget for Hearts who were sent back to Edinburgh empty-handed, with Saulius Mikoliunas' late red card doing little to aid their cause.

It had been another difficult week for Rangers. The build-up to the SPL opener at Falkirk had been over-shadowed by the defeat in Kaunas - this time it was the departure of star player Carlos Cuellar to Aston Villa that dominated the headlines.

Fans' websites had been buzzing for days with talk of a protest ahead of this game but the 2,000 or so supporters who gathered outside the main entrance of Ibrox at 2pm appeared more curious than furious.

In fact, the crowd became an impromptu welcome committee, bursting into rapturous applause at the arrival of American midfielder Maurice Edu, who was in Glasgow to thrash out personal terms on a £2.5million move from FC Toronto.

There was also a debut for Pedro Mendes just 24 hours after his arrival from Portsmouth, while reports suggested Steven Davis was finally on his way to Rangers following summer-long negotiations with Fulham.

By the time kick-off arrived, there really did not seem to be much reason for complaint and the only clue to any continuing dissent was one banner in the Broomloan stand which declared: 'We deserve better.'

Mendes made his bow from the start alongside David Weir, who was back from suspension to reclaim the captain's armband. Steven Whittaker and Christian Dailly were the players left out.

Hearts made one change from their win over Motherwell. Jamie McDonald replaced Steve Banks in goal, with new keeper Marian Kello named on the bench.

Rangers carved out a decent opportunity early on when Lafferty pounced on a Kevin Thomson ball and cut inside before rifling narrowly past McDonald's right-hand post.

At the other end, Lee McCulloch conceded a foul just outside the box, allowing Hearts to pile on the pressure. Laryea Kingston stepped up for the set-piece but blasted well over the crossbar.

Lafferty looked dangerous and his flick-on allowed Boyd a crack at goal which was held by McDonald, before he had a go himself with a shot that had too much height on it.

Kingston picked up the first booking of the game with 17 minutes gone for a cynical challenge on Thomson and was quickly followed into the referee's book by Thomson, who was cautioned for dissent as the match grew more heated.

Rangers surged into the lead with 37 minutes gone. A Madjid Bougherra cross was missed by McCulloch but fell to the feet of Lafferty, who produced a fine finish to leave the ball nestling in the bottom corner of the net.

The home side could have doubled their lead when they won a free-kick 30 yards out. Thomson rolled the ball to Sasa Papac but he blasted well over from distance, with the impressive Mendes probably a better option.

Hearts sent out a clear message they would be no push-overs after the break, with Andrew Driver drawing a decent block from Allan McGregor within seconds of the restart, before the Rangers keeper was called into action to smother the ferocious rebound from Jamie Mole.

Both sides then made changes. Andrius Ksanavicius made way for the introduction of Christian Nade, before McCulloch was swapped for Kenny Miller.

The next substitution was an enforced one. Lafferty had suffered a couple of knocks and was finally replaced by DaMarcus Beasley, allowing the American to make his first appearance of the season after injury.

Once play resumed, Rangers should have been further ahead. McDonald inadvertently swiped a dangerous Mendes cross into the path of Boyd whose powerful drive from inside the box was just inches off target.

Hearts' hopes of a comeback were dealt a severe blow when substitute Saulius Mikoliunas was sent-off after just eight minutes on the park. He was cautioned for diving before earning a second yellow for a foul on Miller.

Rangers made full use of the extra space and an impressive passing spell culminated in a Jean-Claude Darcheville drive whistling across goal and wide of the upright, after Mendes had seen an effort of his own blocked.

Hearts fans screamed for a penalty when a Driver shot cannoned off Bougherra but those pleas were ignored by referee Stuart Dougal, who pointed to the spot at the other end instead in the final minute.

Miller was felled by Lee Wallace in the box and Boyd stepped up to rifle low into the net from 12 yards to seal the win.

Teams:

Rangers McGregor, Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac,McCulloch (Miller 60), Thomson, Pedro Mendes,Lafferty (Beasley 62), Velicka (Darcheville 82), Boyd.

Subs Not Used: Alexander, Dailly, Furman, Fleck.

Booked: Thomson.

Goals: Lafferty 37, Boyd 90 pen.

Hearts MacDonald, Thomson, Zaliukas, Berra, Lee Wallace,Kingston (Mikoliunas 65), Stewart, Karipidis, Driver,Mole (Cesnauskis 75), Ksanavicius (Nade 50).

Subs Not Used: Kello, Palazuelos, Makela, Jonsson.

Sent Off: Mikoliunas (74).

Booked: Kingston, Mikoliunas.

Att: 48,191

Ref: S Dougal (Scotland).

Taken from sportinglife.com