Same old story as Hearts limp out of the Betfred Cup

Rangers 3 Heart of Midlothian 0

Betfred Cup Semi-Final, Sunday 3^rd November
2019 – Hampden Park

After
what has been a difficult week, Hearts exited the Betfred Cup after a predictable
loss in the semi-final to Rangers at the National Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

With
the sacking of manager Craig Levein on Thursday, assistant Austin MacPhee took
charge of the Maroons and there was a major surprise with his team selection.
Forward Craig Wighton made his first start of the season, having not played
this term because of injury. Irishman Glenn Whelan replaced Loic Damour while
Ryotaro Meshino replaced Callumn Morrison. And there was the welcome sight of
long-term injury victim Steven Naismith on the substitutes’ bench.

Hearts
dismal form throughout 2019 was reflected in the size of the support in maroon.
Many had decided not to make the journey to Glasgow on a driech, dank November
afternoon as, even with the departure of Levein 72 hours before the game, many
knew what to expect. And it was all-too predictable as Hearts capitulated to a
Rangers team that hardly got out of second gear.

Driven
by Jack, Rangers looked the likelier team to score although given Hearts
tactics appeared to be damage limitation this isn’t saying much. Early on, Jack
passed to Tavernier whose cross for Morelos seemed certain to be capitalised by
the Colombian striker until Michael Smith cleared the danger.

Hearts
keeper Joel Pereira then saved from Jack and Kamara before their first setback
of the afternoon came in the 27^th minute when Glenn Whelan pulled up
with a hamstring injury. The Irishman hobbled off and was replaced by young
Andy Irving.

Steven
MacLean had made little impact up front other than receiving a booking in the
23^rd minute for a rash challenge on Goldson. When the veteran
striker became involved in another needless clash with Rangers keeper McGregor six
minutes before half-time he earned a rebuke from referee John Beaton. Austin
MacPhee then hauled off the former St Johnstone player before he got sent off
and the anger on the Hearts bench was clear. MacLean was replaced by Ikpeazu
who many believed should have started the game in any case.

When
Kent struck the post, it seemed only a matter of time before Rangers opened the
scoring and they did right on the stroke of half-time – thanks to comical
defending from their opponents. Hearts failed to clear a corner and the ball
fell to Morelos. Rangers top scorer crossed for Helander who was completely
alone inside the Hearts penalty box, the maroon rear-guard believing he was
offside. He wasn’t and he had the easiest of opportunities to bury the ball
beyond Pereira to put Rangers a goal up.

The
Hearts support were hoping the second half wouldn’t be as bad as the first half,
but their hopes were dashed just two minutes after the interval when Rangers
doubled their lead. Again, the Hearts defence were AWOL as Tavernier crossed
for Morelos who tapped home from six yards.

Hearts
did rally briefly and Craig Wighton and substitute Uche Ikpeazu threatened but
it was too little too late. Hearts injuries woes continued when Michael Smith
limped off – he was replaced by Steven Naismith.

Rangers
continued to threaten and in the 62^nd minute they ended the game as
a contest when Kent skipped past the ineffective Sean Clare before setting up
Morelos for his second and Rangers third goal of the afternoon.

The game fizzed out thereafter with many Hearts supporters heading for the exits long before John Beaton’s final whistle. Two shots on target in the entire 90 minutes told its own pitiful story.

Whoever
takes the Hearts manager’s job has one hell of a job on his hands.

Hearts: Pereira, Smith (Naismith,
53′), White, Berra, Bozanic, Clare, Whelan (Irving, 27′), Wighton, MacLean
(Ikpeazu, 40′), Hickey, Meshino.

Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier,
Helander, Goldson, Jack (Arfield, 77′), Davis, Ojo (Defoe, 80′), Kent (Aribo,
66′), Kamara, Morelos, Barisic.

Referee: John Beaton

Attendance: 49,310

Top man: Michael Smith