Captain Lawrence Shankland kept Hearts firmly on course for Scottish Premiership glory as they came from behind to beat Rangers 2-1 at a red-hot Tynecastle, all but eliminating one of their two main rivals from contention.
Gers arrived in Edinburgh four points off the pace and looked set to blow up the three-way battle for the Championship when they deflected Dujon Sterling’s shot to take the breakthrough lead.
However, Hearts, who had been on the back foot for much of the first half, regained their footing at half-time and turned the game around with goals from Stephen Kingsley and Shankland.
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Hearts equalize with Rangers thanks to Stephen Kingsley
The in-form Jambos, who have won each of their last three games, are now three points behind second-placed Celtic on goal difference and a whopping seven behind Gers, with just three games remaining in this intriguing title race.
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Rangers took the lead at Tynecastle with a deflected goal from Dujon Stirling.
How Hearts took the big step towards the title
Hearts manager Derek McInnes made two changes from the side that won 2-1 at Hibernian last weekend, with wingers Islam Chesnokov and Aleksandros Kouridis returning.
There were four changes to the Rangers side that lost 3-2 to Motherwell, with James Tavanier, Mohamed Diomande, Andreas Skov Olsen and Mikey Moore all added.
McInnes said on Friday he wanted to see Tynecastle in “all its glory” in one of the biggest games in history, and his wish certainly came true as his team emerged into a sea of maroon and white and a cacophony of noise.
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Edinburgh local singer Colin Chisholm pumps up the crowd at Tynecastle ahead of Hearts vs. Rangers win
The first 10 minutes were predictably frenetic, but Hearts created the first notable chance, with Mark Leonard’s free-kick from the left headed in by Craig Halkett.
Rangers threatened for the first time in the 12th minute when Alexander Schworrow pushed in Nico Raskin’s cross from the left.
The visitors had a great chance in the 19th minute when Tochi Chukwani sent a free header over the bar from Tavernier’s corner kick.
Gers were gaining momentum but silenced the home supporters in the 23rd minute. Tavernier’s long throw into the box was partially cleared by Stuart Findlay’s head but only reached Sterling, and his volley from eight yards out bounced off Michael Steinwender and looped past Schwolow.
The goal took the wind out of the hosts’ sails and they were stuck for the rest of the first half as Danny Rohr’s men threatened to score a second goal.
Manager McInnes responded by bringing on Blair Spital in place of the helpless Chesnokov at the start of the second half, and this substitution helped to revitalize the Jumbos.
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Chris Sutton was not happy with Rangers captain James Tavanier’s defending in the loss to Hearts.
Shankland’s ferocious shot was blocked by Emmanuel Fernandes, but a fluent build-up allowed Claudio Braga to force Jack Butland into his first save of the night.
The equalizer came in the 54th minute when Kouziridis cut in from the right and flicked a low shot to the far post, with Kingsley in perfect position to lead in the rebound from just outside the six-yard box.
Hearts carried the momentum and sparked frenzy in the 71st minute when Spital fired Kingsley down the left, whose cut-back hit Tavernier, veered off course and gently struck Shankland, who slotted home with a powerful low left-footed shot past Butland, sparking frenzied scenes.
Rangers increased the pressure in the closing stages, with Cerro Asgard hitting a late header onto the bar, but Hearts held firm.
McInnes: Mindset won, not system changes
Hearts manager Derek McInnes told Sky Sports.
“The game started well. I thought Rangers were really good for 30 minutes. Their movement and rotation caused us problems. We couldn’t lock on. I thought they scared us with their movement from the middle and top of the pitch. Half-time couldn’t come quickly enough.”
“We had an important talk during the break. We went back to the old system to give the players more responsibility. We took more responsibility than we did in the first half, and that’s why we’re at the top of the league.”
“It wasn’t a system change. It was a mindset change. Spital gave us extra passes as runners. Our better spots started getting on the ball.”
Regarding the title race, he said: “If we win the game it’s just an advantage[to play in front of Celtic]. It’s going to be a deciding week. We just have to focus on ourselves. We don’t want others to do our job.”
Roll: Conceding the goal was ‘too easy’
Rangers manager Danny Rolle told Sky Sports.
“This is something we have to improve on next season. I think we played good football for 45 minutes. Then we knew in the second half they were going to come out with more direction. They were going to play the ball at the back and try to create something.”
“Finally, we have to defend better as a group. It was too easy to concede goals. We were not in the right positions. This is what we have to improve. You can’t just play 45 minutes at the highest level. Football is about 90 minutes and we have to do a lot of things right to get something here.”
“Two shots on target, two goals? They were ruthless and forced us into a situation where we had to invest a lot to come back. There was no margin for error.
“In the next three games I will ask them to give everything. We wear this club’s shirt and it means showing character, character and courage. If we score nine points, you will see that.”
On the title race: “It’s very difficult. Look at the table. We have to score points in this race. This is what we have to learn.”
