Hearts 2-1 Rangers

Nov 30 2008 Mark Guidi Reports

HEARTS made it five SPL wins in a row to leave Rangers in serious danger of losing four titles in a row. The Jambos stunned Gers by racing into a two-goal lead inside 23 minutes thanks to strikes from Marius Zaliukas and Laryea Kingston.

Walter Smith's men were thrown a lifeline three minutes later when Christos Karipidis scored an own goal.

And they played the final 15 minutes against 10 men after left-back Lee Wallace picked up a second yellow card.

But Rangers never looked like leaving the capital with anything and now trail leaders Celtic by seven points.

Hearts deserve credit for inflicting what could be a costly defeat as they deserved their victory.

Csaba Laszlo's men played with passion, determination and brains.

They shut down space for Pedro Mendes and Barry Ferguson to force Gers into long punts that Christophe Berra and Zaliukas dealt with superbly.

Skipper Berra was outstanding - an inspirational figure to those around him.

And he was involved as Hearts grabbed the opener after 20 minutes.

Berra got on the end of Bruno Aguiar's free-kick and Allan McGregor could only parry his downward header.

There was a scramble and the ball broke to Zaliukas who rammed it home.

Rangers were rocking and fell further behind three minutes later.

Again Smith's defence was all over the place as they failed to deal with a high ball.

Aguiar swung a free-kick to the back post and Berra outjumped Madjid Bougherra to head towards goal. McGregor could only palm away and Kingston reacted quickest to head home.

Tynecastle erupted but Rangers hit back almost immediately. Kris Boyd and Karipidis both attacked Charlie Adam's free-kick and the Jambos star couldn't hook the ball clear under the bar as it looped over the line.

The game was wide open now and Hearts almost grabbed another when Kingston took advantage of some poor play from left-back Steven Whittaker.

The midfielder worked a one-two with the influential Aguiar before letting rip with a long-range strike that was parried wide.

Hearts had plenty of joy down the right through Kingston and Robbie Neilson as Whittaker and Adam struggled to cope.

Rangers had a lot of the ball in the second half but were far too wasteful in possession.

Sub Chris Burke and Mendes were both guilty, making too many poor passes in the final third.

McGregor saved Kingston's 25-yard shot as Hearts went for the third but there was little threat from the Ibrox strikeforce.

Jean-Claude Darcheville and Boyd failed to click underlining the fact that Kenny Miller is the best partner for the Ibrox top scorer.

Rangers were given hope of a leveller in 75 minutes when Wallace picked up a deserved second yellow for fouling Burke.

But Bougherra was lucky to escape punishment when ref Dougie McDonald failed to spot a kick at Berra. Gers coach Kenny McDowall didn't miss it and gave his defender a verbal volley.

Overall it was not good enough from Rangers. Mendes appears to be a good player at Ibrox but was posted missing on the road again.

At £3million you can't live on an Old Firm goal all season. He should be giving much, more more.

Kyle Lafferty? Another £3m buy who looks nothing more than a Coca-Cola Championship player.

Whittaker? £2m. Had a shocker, not for the first time. Bougherra?

£2.5m. No use playing centre-half if you can't win a header. There are too many kiddie-on merchants in the Gers team and they're being found out.

But it may already be too late as Rangers don't seem capable of clawing back a seven-point deficit.

Hearts, though, look up for the fight of chasing third place. Laszlo didn't cost millions and hasn't spent a lot but he might be a great managerial find.

REF WATCH

DOUGIE McDonald had an excellent game. Let the match flow and there can be little argument with his calls.

Had some tough decisions and will be satisfied with his afternoon's work.

Rating: 8/10.

MATCH STATS

Shorts on 7

Shorts off 4

Offside 1

Fouls 22

Corner 4

Bocking 1

Shorts on 3

Shorts off 6

Offside 2

Fouls 23

Corner 4

Bocking 4

Taken from the Sunday Mail