Rangers 1-2 Hearts: Jambos make winning start at Ibrox

adamhigginsuk
Aug 10, 2014
6 min read

Captain leads the way: Danny Wilson heads home against his former club to give Hearts an early lead in the second half (Picture from AFP)

OSMAN Sow's stoppage-time winner condemned Rangers to a first league defeat since April 2013 as Hearts began the Scottish Championship season with victory at Ibrox.

Captain Danny Wilson gave the Jambos an early second-half lead when his header deflected in off Lee Wallace before keeper Neil Alexander was stretchered off with a suspected cheekbone injury.

The Gers thought they had snatched a point when Nicky Law slammed home Kenny Miller's knockdown in the first minute of stoppage time.

But, barely 60 seconds later, Sow glided through the Gers defence before sliding an accurate finish into the bottom corner.

Hearts, playing in the second tier for the first time in 31 years after relegation from the Premiership, will take immense confidence from the result in head coach Robbie Neilson's first league game in charge.

The high-profile interest has thrown the spotlight on the Championship like never before and the Jambos have issued a huge statement of intent in the expected three-horse race for top spot with the Gers and Edinburgh rivals Hibernian - their next opponents.

Ally McCoist's side, strongly tipped for a third successive promotion to complete their long-awaited journey to the top-flight, went unbeaten throughout the entire league season in 2013/14.

But, after also struggling against Hibs in the midweek Challenge Cup tie, the damning evidence suggests the League One champions may find the step-up tougher than first anticipated.

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Rangers suffered their first league defeat since a 2-1 reverse to Peterhead in the Third Division in April 2013.

Off the field, it was a momentous day for the Gers as skipper Lee McCulloch unfurled the championship flag after Ibrox united to honour the renaming of the Govan stand in memory of Sandy Jardine, who served both clubs as a player, after he lost his battle with cancer in April.

Some of the so-called Barcelona bears - Jardine's team-mates from Rangers' 1972 European Cup Winners Cup win - joined in the tributes on the pitch while the Gers fans held up cards to create a mosaic reading 'Sandy Legend'.

With both sides bidding to lay down a marker on the opening weekend, the buzz and excitement surrounding the occasion was reflected in the electric atmosphere.

McCoist made just one change from Tuesday's 2-1 cup victory over Hibs as David Templeton, one of four former Hearts players in the line-up, replaced defender Darren McGregor in a slight tactical reshuffle.

Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd resumed their reunited partnership in attack with last season's top scorer Jon Daly still injured while Bilel Mohsni completed his two-match suspension.

Hearts midfield duo Scott Robinson and Jamie Walker were also banned so Neilson again called on former Dundee United pair Morgaro Gomis and Prince Buaben - two of five summer signings in the side.

The injured Callum Paterson was replaced by Jordon McGhee in the only change from the 3-1 win over Annan in the Petrofac Training Cup a fortnight ago.

The Gers almost profited from a defensive mix-up in the fourth minute as Alexander had to be quick to gather after receiving a Alim Ozturk back-pass with Boyd and Miller closing in.

The hosts were forceful early doors with a patient approach while Hearts made progress forward themselves in an open start.

With a tidiness and composure in possession, the Jambos settled well as Sam Nicholson fired their first effort of note wide of the left-hand post.

However, it was Rangers who should have taken the lead on 19 minutes when Lewis MacLeod glided past three players to pick out Miller in space.

His shot was blocked by Ozturk and ricocheted into the path of an unmarked Templeton at the back post, but he somehow contrived to head over from six yards with the goal gaping.

The winger then blazed a shot over from an almost impossible angle - with Boyd waiting in space in the middle - after Ozturk allowed Wallace to keep the ball in on the byline.

The Gers continued to seize the initiative without finding the cutting edge in the final third to fashion many chances.

But Marius Zaliukas passed up a gilt-edged opportunity against his former club, glancing Ian Black's teasing free-kick wide after Kevin McHattie was booked for bringing down MacLeod.

The youthful exuberance of Hearts offered plenty of encouragement and began to carve out opportunities.

Wilson's low cross was sliced off target by his centre-back partner Ozturk before Nicholson guided Sow's centre straight at keeper Cammy Bell as the visitors grew stronger towards the end of the first half.

The Gers started the second half brightly as McCulloch rose unchallenged from MacLeod's corner without being able to direct a header on target.

McCoist was forced into a change early on with Black making way for Kyle Hutton having suffered a slight groin strain.

But eight minutes after the break, the Light Blues trailed to one of their former players as Wilson met King's corner and his header nestled into the back of the net via a nick off Wallace to send the 1,700 travelling Hearts fans wild with joy.

McGhee, who was walking the disciplinary tightrope after picking up an earlier booking, made way for Brad McKay although the 18-year-old did not take long to get his own name in referee Craig Thomson's notebook for bringing down Templeton.

Seeking a quick response, the hosts piled on the pressure and Hearts survived an almighty melee when failing to clear a dangerous corner with McCulloch, Boyd and Miller all vying to turn the ball home but the Jambos defence were able to keep the ball out.

The visitors then had to change their goalkeeper after Alexander came off worse in a clash with Ozturk when claiming a Law free-kick and was stretchered off following a lengthy treatment delay of more than three minutes.

Another former Gers stopper Scott Gallacher, who played the first six games of last term for the League One champions, was his replacement.

Templeton made way for former Hibernian midfielder Dean Shiels as Rangers added fresh impetus to their failing salvage operation.

There were no signs of urgency or increase in tempo from Rangers, who were comfortably kept at bay by the well-organised Jambos.

Hearts' determination, as much as Rangers' frustration, was evident in the closing stages as the tension grew around Ibrox.

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Hearts also won 2-1 on their last visit to Ibrox in March 2012 with current Rangers midfielder Ian Black scoring the winner.

The Jambos are now unbeaten on their last three trips to Rangers - only their second win in their last 18 games at Ibrox.

But just as six minutes of stoppage time were indicated and boos began to ring around the stadium, the Gers drew level as a thrilling finale ensued.

Former Hearts full-back Wallace tossed hopefully into the box where Miller was well-placed to nod back across towards Law.

The midfielder, who scored the extra-time winner against Hibs, wrapped his right foot around the ball to smash home on the half volley despite Gallacher's best efforts to keep it out.

However, the Hearts reaction was as instant as it was astonishing.

Almost straight from kick-off, Sow latched onto Nicholson's slide-rule pass and got away from Zaliukas before dispatching a measured shot which found the bottom right-hand corner.

The drama was not done there and Miller could have levelled in fortuitous circumstances when Ozturk's clearance from a Wallace cross ricocheted off his outstretchered foot and flew inches over the top.

It proved Rangers' final chance as Hearts claimed an impressive victory which is the ideal preparation for next weekend's Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle.

The Gers will be looking to bounce back despite another stern test in store away at Peter Houston's promotion contenders Falkirk on Friday night.

RANGERS V HEARTS: MATCH FACTS

The two sides were meeting for the first time since April 2012 when Rangers won 3-0 at Tynecastle.

The two sides also met on the opening day of the 2011/12 season at Ibrox in a 1-1 draw in the SPL.

Former Crystal Palace striker Osman Sow has now scored five goals in six appearances for Hearts.