Lawrence Shankland’s headline-grabbing strike put the skids under Rangers title hopes and was the difference between the two teams at pumped-up Tynecastle, but the contribution of defender Stephen Kingsley in the confidence-boosting 2-1 victory should not underestimated.
The former Scotland international was in the right place at the right time to calmly send a rebound from the post of a shot by Alexandros Kyziridis low into the bottom of the net past the despairing dive of Ibrox goalkeeper, Jack Butland. It was his third of the season and pivotal as it brought Hearts back into the game and also gave them renewed belief.
And it was the Stirling-born player’s desire to reach a ball at the by-line before sending over a cross which Shankland dispatched for the second. Watching Scotland boss, Steve Clarke, must have been impressed by the slick finish.
The three points were no more than Hearts deserved after a stunning second 45 minutes. Let’s forget the first session which was dominated by the West of Scotland outfit after a promising opening first ten minutes from Derek McInnes’ men.
Post-match, McInnes said he demanded more in the second half, more aggression in particular, and half-time substitute, Blair Spittal, epitomised that. He hassled and harried the Rangers defence at every opportunity, and mention must be made of defender, Michael Steinwender.
He sported a head bandage at the final whistle in this William hill Premiership clash, reward for heading the ball clear in a tight situation during the second-half. The Austrian was cool, calm and collected, particularly during a spell when Rangers dominated.
Dujon Sterling’s shot following a throw-in on the right hand side which was helped on by a Hearts defender, looped over the Tynecastle team’s goalkeeper, Alexander Schwolow, to open the scoring and stun the majority of fans in the fired-up 18,000-plus crowd. It was a “scabby” goal according to McInnes who said his men had to deal with the first contact. It galvanised Rangers.
Hearts put that behind them with a stunning second period comeback and after the game-winner hit the rigging a banner was unfurled by the Gorgie Ultras. It declared: “Keep believing.”
Now, three games stand between Hearts and legendary status. It’s Motherwell first up at Fir Park in a televised game on Saturday (kick-off 8pm). Remember, The Steelmen recently accounted for Rangers 3-2 in Govan.
Then Falkirk, who have proved a difficult side for Hearts this term, visit Tynecastle on Wednesday, May 13 (20.00) and the Men in Maroon travel to Parkhead to face the defending champions, Celtic, in their final game on Saturday, May 16 (12.30).
McInnes is not looking any further than Saturday’s fixture. So far, his men having accumulated 76 points from 35 fixtures and they currently hold a three-point lead over Celtic who have played the same number of games.
Rangers are third on 69 points also from 35 fixtures, but it is one game at a time for McInnes and Motherwell are dangereous. They have played some fine football this season and are fourth with 57 points from their 35 games.
McInnes called on Hearts fans to be loud and proud against Rangers. They were and he praised their commitment to the cause, but the head coach, voted PFA Scotland SPFL Manager of the Year, admitted: “First and foremost, the win is the most important thing, but it is the third game in a row when we have had to come from behind which is far from ideal against Motherwell, Hibs and Rangers.”
He felt his men started “quite well” for the first five or ten minutes but Hearts became poor in possession and, as a consequence, Rangers got into a groove.
It was not a change of system for the second half it was, he said, a change of “mind set” and he added: “You don’t get to the top of the league by playing the way they did in the first half. I did not like us at all first-half.
“We managed to dig it out. Our second half performance gave us the goals that allowed us to win the game.”
His counterpart, Danny Rohl, looked dejected after the final whistle, but he urged his squad to show courage in their remaining three games. Should mention, Rangers are next on duty on Sunday when they travel to Celtic Park, and they don’t come much tougher than that.
PASSION: One fan displays his delight at the final whistle as Hearts edge Rangers at Tynecastle. Picture Nigel Duncan
