Heart of Midlothian 1 Rangers 0
William Hill Scottish Cup Quarter Final – Saturday 29th February 2020 – Tynecastle Park
Hearts upset all the odds at Tynecastle on Saturday evening with a pulsating performance to knock Rangers out of the William Hill Scottish Cup. A goal from Ollie Bozanic was enough to take Hearts through to their second Hampden semi-final in a year and secure their second win over Steven Gerrard’s team in a month.
Hearts manager Daniel Stendel made four changes from the team that salvaged a draw against Hamilton Academical a fortnight ago. Conor Washington, Lewis Moore, Loic Damour and Ollie Bozanic came in for Liam Boyce, Uche Ikpeazu, Andy Irving and Jamie Walker.
There was a major surprise in the visitors’ team sheet with the absence of talisman Alfredo Morelos who was dropped over what the Rangers manager Steven Gerrard described as a ‘disciplinary matter’.
Both clubs agreed to the ridiculous ticket prices of £30 for adults and £20 for concessions and this decision clearly backfired as Tynecastle was little over half full for a cup quarter final with Rangers. When will the football bosses learn that you simply can’t fleece the fans?
Hearts started brightly and Steven Naismith forced Rangers keeper McGregor into a save with a header from eight yards. This gave the home support some encouragement and Loic Damour – a surprise inclusion – then had an effort on goal blocked.
Rangers’ Jack was then lucky to avoid a red card when he lunged in on Michael Smith, but referee Steven McLean saw fit to show only a yellow card. The whistler didn’t have the best of evenings…
There was even more controversy right on half-time when Hearts were denied a clear penalty after Edmundson used an arm to steer the ball away inside the penalty box. But referee McLean saw nothing. The ref also didn’t see blatant hand ball from Damour as he thought he had given Hearts the lead but a storm of protest from the Rangers players forced him to think again. Hearts were just grateful he didn’t flash a second yellow card to the Frenchman…
Hearts again looked the likelier side to score as the second half got underway. In the 58th minute their persistence paid off. Slack defending from Tavernier let in Lewis Moore. The youngster was calmness personified as he took the ball round the advancing McGregor to tee it up for Ollie Bozanic who smashed the ball home.
Those Hearts supporters who had forked out for their exorbitantly priced tickets roared their delight.
Steven Naismith really ought to have finished the game when he was presented with a golden opportunity after a mistake from Edmundson, but the Scotland striker fired high and wide.
In the end it didn’t really matter. Hearts had beaten Rangers again – the Ibrox side have failed to win at Tynecastle in three attempts this season and have not won a Scottish Cup tie in Gorgie since 1957 – and will take their place in Sunday’s semi-final draw.
The semi-finals of the William Hill Scottish Cup will take place on Easter weekend. What chance another Edinburgh derby in the cup?
Hearts: Zlamal, Smith, Souttar (Dikamona, 16′), Bozanic, Clare, Washington, Naismith, Damour, Halkett, Moore, Hickey.
Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Edmundson, Goldson, Jack (Hagi, 63′), Davis, Kent, Aribo, Stewart (Defoe, 67′), Barisic, Arfield (Ojo, 33′).
Referee: Steven McLean
Attendance: 11,428
Top man: Lewis Moore
Photos courtesy of SNS
Author of The Team for Me - 50 Years of Following Hearts. Runs Mind Generating Success, a successful therapy practice in Edinburgh. Contact me if you want rid of any unwanted habits. Twitter @Mike1874
