Hearts defender Jamie McCart faced an unfortunate fate as he scored two own goals, leading to Rangers’ 3-1 victory at Tynecastle Park. Following a recent defeat to Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup, Rangers manager Philippe Clement urged his team for a strong response, which they delivered—thanks in part to McCart’s missteps and Vaclav Cerny’s impressive performance, marking his 10th league goal of the season.
The opening goal came when an Ianis Hagi cross was inadvertently redirected by McCart in the 20th minute, putting Rangers ahead. However, Hearts fought back, equalizing shortly after halftime with a header from new signing Michael Steinwender, who connected with a corner from James Penrice (49).
After the equalizer, tensions ran high with commentators noting a shift in momentum, but Rangers regained the lead through Cerny in the 61st minute. McCart’s second own goal in the 73rd minute cemented the score at 3-1, sealing victory for the visitors.
Despite this win, Rangers remain 13 points adrift of league leaders Celtic, and the situation has led to criticism from fans and analysts alike. Kris Boyd expressed concern regarding Rangers’ performance this season, stating, "It has not been good enough," referring to the significant deficit to their rivals.
Player Ratings: A Mixed Performance
- Hearts: Gordon (8), Baningime (6), Grant (6), Shankland (7), Steinwender (8), Spittal (8), Kabangu (5), Wilson (7), Penrice (7), McCart (3); Forrester (6).
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Subs: Nieuwenhof (6), Kartum (6), Neilson (n/a), Vargas (n/a), Drammeh (n/a).
- Rangers: Butland (9), Tavernier (6), Souttar (6), Nsiala (6), Jefte (6), Raskin (6), Diomande (6), Lawrence (6), Cerny (8), Hagi (7); Igamane (7).
- Subs: Dessers (7), Propper (n/a), Fernandes (n/a), Curtis (n/a).
Boyd Critiques Rangers’ Current Form
Boyd further criticized the management, stating, "There seems to be an acceptance of second best… The fans have had enough of Clement. The majority are done."
Clement’s Reaction to Win Against Hearts
In response, Rangers boss Philippe Clement expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, stating that they showed a strong reaction in a difficult environment. He acknowledged the hard-fought nature of the match and highlighted the importance of working together as a team to secure points moving forward.
Critchley’s Thoughts on the Match
On the other hand, Hearts manager Neil Critchley felt the scoreline did not accurately reflect the match, claiming his side was the superior team in terms of possession and chances created. Critchley pointed out the need for his players to be more clinical in crucial moments.
Upcoming Scottish Premiership Action
As the Scottish Premiership season progresses, both teams will be looking at upcoming fixtures to improve their standings and performance on the pitch.
