Hearts 2 Rangers 1

Lisa Gray

Rangers' title hopes were dealt a further blow when they slumped to defeat against 10-man Hearts in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The Ibrox side were already trailing leaders Celtic by four points ahead of the trip to Tynecastle and goals from Marius Zaliukas and Laryea Kingston added to their woes, with an own-goal from Christos Karipidis failing to alter the final outcome.

Hearts admitted ahead of the game their players had not been paid for the second time this season but, with a fifth consecutive win bonus to collect, the Edinburgh side will be hoping funds are in their accounts as promised on Monday.

Rangers made one change from last week's win over Aberdeen, with Madjid Bougherra returning to the heart of defence after missing out through injury and personal reasons for the last couple of weeks.

That meant make-shift centre-half Lee McCulloch had to settle for a place on the bench. Also named among the substitutes was Chris Burke, who was involved with the squad for the first time since suffering an ankle injury during last season's Scottish Cup semi-final.

Hearts were boosted by the return of Kingston but his comeback was tempered by an enforced change of goalkeeper, with Jamie MacDonald replacing Janos Balogh, who apparently missed out through illness.

MacDonald's only other first-team game this season was the 2-0 defeat at Ibrox at the start of the season but he did not have a great deal to do early on in this game.

Hearts had the first chance when the ball broke to Andrew Driver and he had a go from the edge of the area but the shot was comfortably held by Allan McGregor in the Rangers goal.

At the other end, Kirk Broadfoot set up Kris Boyd with a cross from the right but the striker's header from six yards was gathered by MacDonald.

Hearts had the best of the opening spell but Rangers had the opportunity to gain an early advantage with a free-kick just outside the box after Robbie Neilson handled the ball.

Pedro Mendes played the set-piece short to Boyd but he blasted well wide of the target.

It was Hearts who took the lead after 20 minutes when Bruno Aguiar's free-kick found Christophe Berra and his header crashed off the post. The ball broke to Zaliukas, who rifled home the rebound.

Hearts increased their lead just three minutes later, with another set-piece from Aguiar wreaking havoc in the box. Berra again connected and saw his header blocked by McGregor before Kingston bundled over the line with his head.

Rangers were undeterred and pulled a goal back with 26 minutes on the clock.

Karipidis and Boyd both rose in the box to meet a Charlie Adam free-kick, the Hearts player's header came off the underside of the bar and Karipidis succeeded only in helping the ball into his own net in his attempts to clear.

Kingston was then unfortunate not to add to his tally and restore Hearts' two-goal advantage shortly before the break when he swiped at fresh air at the near post after being set up for the shot by Aguiar.

Rangers made their first change 10 minutes after the restart when Adam was withdrawn, allowing Burke to make his first appearance of the season.

Kingston was still looking dangerous for Hearts and drew an impressive save from McGregor from a powerful long-range drive, as the home side attempted to add to their lead.

That proved to be his last contribution to the game as he was replaced by Eggert Jonsson with just over an hour gone.

With time fast running out for Rangers, Nacho Novo was thrown into the action in place of Jean-Claude Darcheville.

The Ibrox side's cause was then aided when Lee Wallace picked up his second yellow card for a foul on Burke and was dismissed with 14 minutes to go.

Rangers claimed a penalty at the end with Neilson appearing to pull at Boyd's jersey but no award was forthcoming and they returned to Ibrox empty-handed.

Teams

Hearts MacDonald, Neilson, Zaliukas, Berra, Lee Wallace,Kingston (Jonsson 64), Karipidis, Palazuelos, Driver,Aguiar (Cesnauskis 81), Nade (Obua 85).

Subs Not Used: Kello, Makela, Mole, Thomson.

Sent Off: Lee Wallace (76).

Booked: Lee Wallace.

Goals: Zaliukas 20, Kingston 23.

Rangers McGregor, Broadfoot, Weir, Bougherra, Whittaker,Adam (Burke 56), Mendes, Ferguson, Lafferty, Boyd,Darcheville (Novo 72).

Subs Not Used: Alexander, Edu, McCulloch, Niguez, Loy.

Booked: Bougherra, Boyd, Whittaker, Lafferty.

Goals: Karipidis 26 og.

Att: 15,710

Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).

Taken from sportinglife.com