Hearts 1 - 4 Rangers, match report

Published Date: 27 March 2010
By BARRY ANDERSON
AT TYNECASTLE
Goals:

Hearts - Suso 16

Rangers - Wilson 4, Miller 31, Naismith 49, 76

HEARTS' attempts at further improving their chances of top-six qualification suffered a setback as Rangers scored four at Tynecastle to consolidate their place atop the SPL table. Two second-half goals by Steven Naismith proved too much for the hosts, who contributed in part to their own downfall with some erratic defending.

Danny Wilson's header opened the scoring early in the match but Suso's stupefying volley drew Hearts level. Kenny Miller's diving header ensured the visitors retreated at the interval holding a 2-1 lead, which was supplemented by a chipped finish and a header from Naismith in the second period. Although Hearts pressed their opponents back for large spells in the second half, they were unable to breach the Ibrox rearguard.

Hearts began with an enforced goalkeeping change as Jamie MacDonald replaced Janos Balogh to make his first appearance since December. The Hungarian was sidelined by a wrist complaint and Andy Driver was also absent having suffered a recurrence of tendonitis in his knee, but this was tempered by the return of Marius Zaliukas from a hamstring injury. Rangers manager Walter Smith conducted five changes following Tuesday evening's Scottish Cup elimination at Tannadice as a handful of first-team mainstays returned for a high-octane occasion in Edinburgh.

It was an occasion they responded to after only four minutes. Kevin Thomson's free-kick deep into the home penalty area was glanced out of MacDonald's reach by Wilson's downward header, the teenager's first senior goal according Rangers a crucial advantage so early in the match. Hearts required to respond but some over-zealous tackles went unpunished by referee Calum Murray. Lee McCulloch in particular ought to have been booked for leading with the arm and slamming his fist into the face of Zaliukas.

Gary Glen, having seen one effort disallowed for offside, then stung the palms of Allan McGregor from Ruben Palazuelos' through pass. Ian Black's low strike was held by McGregor on 14 minutes as Hearts, backed by an impassioned home crowd, sought to restore parity. They did so in spectacular style two minutes later. Zaliukas' diagonal ball from inside his home half was glanced onwards by Glen, Sasa Papac executed a wild mishit under pressure from Suso and the Spaniard dispatched a screaming first-time volley beyond the despairing McGregor. The chance may have arrived in fortuitous circumstances but the finish was something to behold.

The game was now ebbing and flowing and MacDonald produced a fine one-handed save to stop Steven Davis' powerful drive. On the half-hour mark, the young goalkeeper excelled himself. Firstly, he denied Boyd one on one at point-blank range and was on his feet seconds later to tip a dipping effort from Miller over his crossbar. If those two moments kept the scoreline level, MacDonald deserved better moments later when luck appeared to desert him.

Zaliukas' pass from defence under no pressure was a gift for Davis, whose cross was cushioned into the path of Naismith by Boyd. The midfielder took a touch but struck the crossbar with his shot. As MacDonald lay grounded, Miller headed into an empty net to restore his side's advantage.

Within four minutes of the restart, Rangers moved 3-1 ahead with a goal that was fashioned all too easily from Hearts' perspective. Steven Whittaker meandered in off the right flank in possession and slid a ball across to the advancing Steven Naismith. His run from midfield was not tracked by Suso and right-back Jason Thomson was by now carrying an injury, thus Naismith calmly slotted his finish over MacDonald. Jim Jefferies then replaced Jason Thomson with his namesake Craig.

McGregor's fingertips denied Zaliukas a headed goal from Larry Kingston's corner in the 58th minute but the majority of the second half saw Hearts probing their opponents in search of a way back into this contest. Boyd's 75th-minute tap-in was ruled offside and Rangers' victory became secure soon after when Naismith, unmarked as Davis' free-kick arrived the box, looped a header past the exposed MacDonald.

Substitute Scott Robinson might have reduced the deficit in the final moments but could only direct a close-range shot wide from three yards.

Hearts (4-4-2): MacDonald; J Thomson, Jonsson, Zaliukas, Wallace; Suso, Kingston, Black, Palazuelos; Glen, Obua. Subs: Ridgers, Stevenson, Nade, Templeton 77 (for Black), Smith, C Thomson 51 (for J Thomson), Robinson 70 (for Glen).

Rangers (4-4-2): McGregor; Whittaker, Wilson, Weir, Papac; Davis, McCulloch, Thomson, Naismith; Boyd, Miller. Subs: Alexander, Edu 63 (for Edu), Novo 84 (for Miller), Beasley, Smith 81 (for Davis), Little, Fleck.

Referee: Calum Murray.

Attendance: 16,832.

Taken from the Scotsman