A double from Lawrence Shankland saw Hearts secure a long-awaited victory in Govan, the skipper scoring in both halves, and his strikes earned the Men in Maroon only their seventh win in 164 games at Ibrox emptied quickly of Rangers fans before the final whistle.
Beleagured Ibrox boss Russell Martin went straight down the tunnel after the defeat and the win, which extended the Heart’s unbeaten run this term in the William Hill Premiership, could be considered a statement result for the Edinburgh side and a ringing endorsement of the decision to bring ex-Kilmarnock and Aberdeen boss, Derek McInnes, to Tynecastle.
Earlier, head coach McInnes, the Manager of the Month, handed a debut to new German goalkeeper, Alexander Schwolow, the 33-year-old being pitched into the cauldron at Ibrox Park as the Tynecastle team aimed to end their hoodoo in Govan. He has not played a competitive game since May.
And former Rangers signing, Craig Halkett, made his 150th appearances for the Jambos alongside Stuart Findlay and he got the nod alongside Stephen Kingsley.
Rangers were minus Belgian international, Nico Raskin, who watched the game from the stand, but had former Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski leading the line in his second game since joining the Govan-based side from Italian football.
The heavens opened as the teams made their way onto the pitch to the Tina Turner classic, The Best. In-form Hearts were lead out by Shankland, the scorer of four goals against Rangers, and it was the visitors who started well against the unchanged Ibrox squad.
Hearts created two early chances, the best falling to Halkett who headed over, and one of Hearts’ summer signings, Claudio Braga, was creating danger for the home side who failed to find any rhythm early on. When they had a chance it was wasted. Winger Djeidi Gassama was one of the culprits.
The scoreline was blank after 20 minutes and McInnes will have been the happier of the two managers as his side started the game on the front foot. Then Shankland struck with lively Braga involved in the move. The razor-sharp fired home into the far corner with his left foot from an acute angle after claims of a handball in the build-up. VAR checked but the goal stood and Shankland celebrated. Time: 21 minutes.
The Ibrox faithful voiced their displeasure and Rangers, without a win this season, had a job on their hands to claw the deficit back and that did not look possible with the evidence shown on the pitch. Rangers were flat and lacked a real threat.
Russell Martin talked about a “reset”. It was not evident so far and fans reactived negatively on social media. However, Thelo Aasgaard, the scorer of four goals for Norway in midweek against Moldova in a World Cup qualifier, broke and fired a curling shot goalwards from 25 yards. Hearts debutant stopper, Schwolow, was forced into action, producing a quality save, turning the ball onto the crossbar, to preserve Hearts’ shutout.
Cammy Devlin then shot towards Butland but his effort was snuffed out as the home fans grew more and more restless. The boos rang out around the stadium.
Well-organised Hearts survived a Miovski moment just before three minutes of injury time was indicated by a match official. Passive Rangers then won a corner and Tavernier swung the ball into the box, but Halkett cleared before Gassama threatened on the breakdown.
Rangers returned to the sanctuary of their dressing room accompanied by boos from the home fans. Hearts’ fans celebrated, enjoying their afternoon in Govan, while the pressure mounted on boss Martin who made a double change at the break, Canada central-defender, Derek Cornelius, made his debut with Nasser Djiga making way, and Olivier Antman replacing on-loan teenager Mikey Moore.
Hearts, however, continued to control the play. Miovski threatened fleetingly, and desperate Russell replaced Connor Barron, replacing him with another summer signing, Joe Rothwell, and he made an immediate impact.
He fed Diomante and he, in turn, found Antman. Schwolow saved. Aasgaard then fired for goal and the effort was blocked, as Rangers threatening for the first time in the second spell.
Gassama hit the post with first-time effort and then Diamonte missed a gilt edged chance to level after another good ball from Rothwell as Rangers upped the anti by bringing on Chermiti.
Immediately, Rangers had the ball in the net through Cornelius, but referee Steve McLean pointed to a free-kick after a foul on Schwolow. VAR agreed with the referee and the goal did not stand. Home fans in the 50,000-plus crowd were unhappy despite their favourites finding some form in the second spell.
Hearts carried a threat on the counter-attack and forced a corner before substitute Rothwell caused concern and required medical attention. He limped off the pitch and looked unhappy on his return to duty. He was later replaced.
The Jambos made a triple change, Tomas Magnusson, Jamie McCart and Elton Kabangu coming on with Kingsley, Kyziridis and Braga making way.
Minutes later, Diomande dangled his leg as Harry Milne, who was outstanding at Ibrox, burst into the area. McLean pointed to the penalty spot and VAR confirmed the decision despite protests from the home players.
A huge moment for Shankland and for the Jambos season. He took responsibility and the effort was saved by Butland but the skipper pounced to sent the ball home for a second for the Men in Maroon with just over seven minutes remaining.
Cue a mass exodus of unhappy Light Blue fans from the stadium as Hearts edged closer to their first win at Ibrox since 2014.
Seven minutes of injury time were signalled and Aasgaard headed a Tavernier corner at the Jambos goalkeeper. Another chance gone and more woe for Martin.
Superb Shankland was removed for Blair Spittal as the clock ticked down and Hearts held out for a memorable win. Jambos fans in a corner of the stadium danced with delight.
Next week Rangers have another big test, a Premier Sports Cup clash against Hibs. It never rains but it pours for boss Martin whose men produced a lack-lustre performance to pile the pressure on the Ibrox side who are now nine points behind the jubilant Jambos.
Hearts top the table with 13 and Rangers languish in tenth spot with four.
Hearts: Schwolow, Kingsley, Halkett, Baningime, Shankland, Braga, Devlin, Milne, Findlay, McEntee, Kyziridis. Subs: Clark, McCart, Kaganbu, Kabore, Steinwender, Spittal, Forrest, Magnusson, Kerjota.
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Djiga, Souttar, Meghoma, Barron, Diomande, Aasgaard, Gassama, Moore, Miovski. Subs: Kelly, Aarons, Rothwell, Chermiti, Cornelius, Bajrami, Antman, Curtis, Danillo.
