Rangers 0-2 Hearts: Visitors go top of Scottish Premiership after Lawrence Shankland double
Rangers 0-2 Hearts: Visitors go top of Scottish Premiership after Lawrence Shankland double.
With a victory over Rangers, Heart of Midlothian went three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, while Russell Martin became the first Ibrox manager in 47 years to lose his first five league games.
Lawrence Shankland’s 21st-minute goal gave Hearts a well-deserved half-time lead, and after the visitors withstood some sustained second-half pressure, the striker’s late second left Martin and his team facing a chorus of boos at the final whistle.
It was Hearts’ first victory at Ibrox in 18 visits since August 2014, and their 19th overall. Martin had stuck with the starting lineup that put up a fight in their previous goalless draw at home to Celtic.
However, Hearts arrived with a reputation for winning duels all over the pitch, and they did it right away, pinning the host side in their own half. Craig Halkett, an unmarked former Rangers youth centre-half, wasted an early free-kick by heading it over, and Shankland blasted straight at custodian Jack Butland before Rangers even threatened an effort.
Claudio Braga had already made the Rangers’ backline anxious before the summer signing from Aalesunds set up his strike partner for the opening goal.
Rangers’ defence appeared to be anticipating the game to be stopped for a handball when the Portuguese played a lovely flick that set up Shankland to strike low past Butland into the far corner.
Djeidi Gassama, the home winger, had made a mess of a shot in front of goal long before, but it was his only incursion into the visitors penalty box.
Rangers’ response to falling behind was equally underwhelming, with Thelo Aasgaard’s looping cross-come-shot turned on to the crossbar by Alexander Schwolow, and striker Bojan Miovski heading unconvincingly into the debutant goalkeeper’s arms. Rangers were changed after just two replacements and a half-time stoppage.
Gassama curled a shot off the far post, Schwolow cleared a strong drive from Oliver Antman, and fellow replacement Derek Cornelius prodded home, only to have the goal ruled out for a push on the custodian.
Any dreams of a comeback were dashed when Harry Milne collapsed under a challenge from Mohamed Diomande, and a penalty was granted following a long video assistant referee review.
Although Shankland’s spot shot was saved by Butland, the striker slotted the rebound to leave the home team and their crowd startled. It could have been worse if Tómas Bent Magnússon had not found the far post in the dying moments.
Analysis: Rangers nightmare leaves Hearts dreaming
After another disappointing outcome and performance, Rangers fans will undoubtedly put pressure on Martin.
The former Rangers defender discussed seeking a “reset” to build on their goalless draw with Celtic last time out, as well as the work done on the training field over the international break.
There was little sign of that in a nerve-racking first 45 minutes, with the disorganised hosts looking more like a group of individuals facing a well-oiled machine than a coherent team.
It appeared to be a matchup between a team that was six points ahead of the hosts, who had laboured to four opening draws. The setback will raise doubts about Nicolas Raskin’s ongoing absence, despite the midfielder scoring for Belgium in midweek.
Martin chose to start Canada centre-back Cornelius and big-money striker signing Youssef Chermiti on the bench, and their introduction after the break was too late to affect the direction of the game.
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