Jambos' run continues with memorable win

RYAN STEVENSON'S late goal secured a priceless victory for Hearts over Rangers as the title aspirations at Tynecastle were again laid bare for all in Scotland to see. At times the hosts rode their luck, particularly during a first-half bombardment, but their second-half display was far more forceful and resulted in Stevenson's close-range finish 13 minutes from full-time.

A series of phenomenal stops by goalkeeper Marian Kello kept Rangers at bay in the first 45 minutes, but after a change of tactics Hearts' endeavour paid dividends. Scoring chances were at a premium but Stevenson did not require two chances to poke the ball home after Lee Wallace's cross was rolled into his path by Stephen Elliott.

With Kevin Kyle having failed a fitness test, Stevenson became the focal point of Hearts' three-man forward line at kick-ff. Manager Jim Jefferies was doubtless mindful of the midfielder's impressive pre-season displays in attack and hoped to utilise his ability to hold the ball up. Kyle's absence was tempeted by Rudi Skacel's appearance in the hosts' starting line-up. Rangers, in a clear sign of respect to Hearts' threat, began with five midfielders and only one recognised striker, Kyle Lafferty.

Within 30 seconds the Northern Irishman forced Kello into a full-stretch save and then failed to connect properly with Maurice Edu's eighth minute cross as the visitors signalled their intent. Kello showed outstanding reactions to parry Jamie Ness' left-footed effort from Steven Naismith's through ball. Seconds later, the Slovakian sprung to the rescue once more to fingertip Ness' powerful drive over the crossbar.

Rangers often found time on the ball in midfield, a result of their five-man central line-up compared to Hearts' three. They utilised the space well. After dispossessing the hesitant Marius Zaliukas in the 21st minute, Edu released Lafferty for a stinging drive which Kello blocked. Then Naismith evaded Jonsson's attentions only to strike the ball straight at the Slovakian, who was easily Hearts' most important player of the opening period.

Adrian Mrowiec's high through ball was almost misjudged by Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor as half-time approached, and Zaliukas' header from Skacel's corner drifted wide. That apart, Hearts did not look like scoring and required a foothold in midfield before they could do so.

Ten minutes into the second period Gary Glen replaced Templeton, who had found himself marginalised due to the physical nature of this encounter. That change prompted a switch to an orthodox 4-4-2 formation which helped restrict Rangers' forward ventures. Thereafter Hearts began asserting themselves without fashioning many scoring opportunities. They looked most dangerous down the left flank with Skacel and Wallace working in tandem.

Those two linked superbly at the beginning of the move which brought Hearts' goal. Interchanging passes with Wallace down the left, Skacel angled into the penalty area and appeared to be impeded by Ness. The referee dismissed the claims and allowed play to continue as the ball landed back at Wallace's feet. His low cross was tamely struck by Elliott and Stevenson was on hand to prod the ball into the Rangers net, sparking bedlam inside Tynecastle.

Nikica Jelavic's acrobatic effort struck the Hearts crossbar on 86 minutes, but that apart there were few moments of consternation as full-time approached. Stevenson's goal proved decisive, propelling his club yet nearer the top of the SPL table.

Hearts (4-3-3): Kello; Jonsson, Bouzid, Zaliukas, Wallace; Mrowiec, Skacel (C Thomson 85), Palazuelos; S Elliott, Stevenson (Black 87), Templeton (Glen 56). Subs: MacDonald, Barr, Suso, Obua.

Rangers (4-5-1): McGregor; Whittaker, Bougherra, Weir, Papac; Davis, Edu (Fleck 75), McCulloch, Ness (Weiss 79), Naismith; Lafferty (Jelavic 69). Subs: Alexander, Foster, Beattie, Webster.

Referee: Mike Tumilty.

Attendance: 16,737.

Taken from the Scotsman