In-form Abdullah Sima slotted after 34 minutes to claim his 12th goal of the season as Rangers edged Hearts 1-0 at Tynecastle in the cinch Premiership.
The on-loan Sengalese player, who claimed a double in the victory over St Mirren on Sunday, swept the ball home after picking up a pass from James Tavernier following a breakaway move to take the Ibrox men onto 34 points, 11 ahead of third-placed Hearts.
And the victory means Rangers have won five of the last six meetings between the clubs.
Rangers and Hearts both had five shots on target and defender Alex Cochrane, in his 100th game for the Gorgie club, was denied by Tavernier’s body before the deadlock was broken.
Lawrence Shankland and Kenneth Vargas also had shots blocked and Vargas had the ball rolled into his path in front of goal but Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland dived to his left to save.
At the other end, John Lundstrum had a shot saved by Zander Clarke and Ridvan Yilmaz fired over. Sima also had a chance to claim his and Rangers second which he failed to take and Danilo hit Kyosuke Tagawa.
Rangers had 52 per cent of possession against 48 per cent from the home side and Hearts had 416 passes against 440 from their rivals, but Rangers held out.
The three points were welcome for the Glasgow giants who remain unbeaten under manager Philippe Clement in 11 games, but Hearts made them work hard on a chilly night in Gorgie.
Rangers are eight points behind Glasgow rivals Celtic with a game in hand, but The Bhoys march on in pole position thanks to a comfortable 4-1 win over Hibs at Celtic Park with two goals from Oh and singles from O’Riley and Palma.
PICTURE: Alex Cochrane in action against St Johnstone by Ian Jacobs
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