Rangers 1 - 1 Hearts: Last-minute equaliser saves Gers blushes against ten-man Hearts

Published Date: 23 January 2010
By BARRY ANDERSON AT IBROX STADIUM
SCOTT ROBINSON'S first senior goal secured ten-man Hearts a vital point against league leaders Rangers, who required a stoppage-time equaliser from substitute Andrew Little to avoid defeat.

Hearts' unbeaten league run now stretches to seven matches but they first had to overcome the dismissal of Christian Nade on 74 minutes for two bookable offences, the second being foolishly kicking the ball away. A minute later Robinson converted the opening goal after Allan McGregor failed to hold Lee Wallace's shot, however Little's late act of defiance rescued Rangers after an unconvincing display.

It was Hearts, with Lee Wallace reinstated at left-back, who fashioned the game's first opening. Michael Stewart surged forward from midfield to slide a reverse pass to Nade, however the Frenchman's attempt at goal was high. Five minutes later, Kyle Lafferty spun on Kevin Thomson's pass for a finish lacking conviction. Although Hearts started purposefully Rangers were denied an opening goal only by the fingertips of Marian Kello on 22 minutes, the Slovakian repelling a goalbound free-kick from the menacinig Steven Davis.

Rangers continued pressing their guests and Kirk Broadfoot glanced the ball only marginally over the crossbar from Thomson's 27th-minute free-kick. However, their failure to capitalise on the superiority led to irritation amongst the Ibrox natives.

The second half began with a moment of consternation in the home defence. Nade's innocuous looking cross arced towards Allan McGregor's far post as all in blue looked on impassively. The goalkeeper reacted quickly to prevent a goal as it became clear the Rangers defence was anything but impregnable. That said, John Fleck's pace was troublesome at the opposite end. His driving run created an opening for Lafferty at the near post but the Irishman nonchalantly flicked the ball wide before Kello held a fierce drive from Sasa Papac.

On 56 minutes, Fleck was accorded time and space to turn and dispatch a dipping 30-yard drive narrowly wide of Kello's right post. Hearts were playing a dangerous game retreating continually in the face of attack and required some impetus in forward areas, particularly the left with David Obua an anonymous figure.

Lafferty wasted the game's clearest chance on 64 minutes after Fleck's surging run from midfield. With the visiting defence backing off, the young Scot fed the ball to Lafferty on his left but Kello advanced to block the subsequent shot.

The longer the 0-0 scoreline remained the more confidence Hearts derived, but they had to contend with Nade's 74th minute dismissal for nothing other than sheer stupidity. He had already been cautioned, albeit perhaps unfairly, for pushing David Weir during an aerial contest and earned a second yellow card for needlessly kicking the ball into the crowd after being flagged offside. If that was expected to dishearten the Tynecastle side, it had completely the opposite effect.

Within 60 seconds, they were ahead. Lee Wallace scampered through the Rangers rearguard to unleash a powerful left-footed drive which McGregor did well to parry. Robinson was hell bent on reaching the rebound first and surged past the rather languid Papac to convert into an empty net. It was his first goal for Hearts, as evinced by the extensive celebrations.

Robinson then found himself replaced to allow another Riccarton youth academy product, Ryan Wallace, a first-team debut. He stung McGregor's palms on 88 minutes as Hearts boldly sought to double their advantage, but in the end they had to accept a point. Lee McCulloch's 20-yard shot was parried by Kello with only seconds remaining, and Rangers substitute Little was well positioned for a low finish.

Rangers (4-4-2): McGregor; Broadfoot, Weir, Wilson, Papac; Davis, McCulloch, Thomson, Whittaker; Lafferty, Fleck. Subs: Alexander, Mendes, Smith, Loy, Little 79 (for Broadfoot), Ness, Wylde 86 (for Fleck).

Hearts (4-4-2): Kello; J Thomson, Bouzid, Zaliukas, L Wallace; Black, Jonsson, Stewart, Obua; Nade, Robinson. Subs: Balogh, Cinikas, Visconte, R Wallace 81 (for Robinson), Mulrooney, Balatoni, Smith.

Referee: Calum Murray.

Attendance: 47,031.

Taken from the Scotsman