By Keir Murray

Highlights - Rangers 4-0 Hearts

Rangers moved four points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premier League with an inspired display against third-placed, 10-man Hearts.

Nikica Jelavic fired Rangers in front in 23 minutes from a smart Steven Davis ball, then Kyle Lafferty smacked in a second from close range.

Gregg Wylde crossed for Davis to head a third before half-time.

Hearts captain Eggert Jonsson was sent off for a lunge at Jelavic then Ryan Stevenson conceded a cruel own-goal.

The match kicked off amid an atmosphere of renewed optimism for the home fans, the product of Celtic's defeat by Inverness on Wednesday and the successful, eventual, completion of Craig Whyte's takeover of the club.

Hearts, for their part, were in need of a point to secure third place in the league and a Europa League place with two games remaining.

Walter Smith named an unchanged side from last week's 5-0 win at Motherwell, while the Jambos drafted David Obua and Ryan McGowan into their team.

In the eighth minute Jelavic cut across the 18-yard line and, despite being off-balance, managed to get a shot away that rolled past MacDonald's right-hand post.

As ever when league titles are on the line, nerves play a part.

Twice in the opening 20 minutes Rangers fans had cause for a sharp intake of breath when David Templeton raced through only to be stopped by David Weir, illegally, then Madjid Bougherra with a fine tackle.

Both sides were showing terrific commitment, with referee Iain Brines doing his best to keep a lid on the fraying tempers midway through the first half, though he did lose patience with Ibrox captain Weir for a late challenge on Hearts playmaker Rudi Skacel.

Rangers made the breakthrough after 23 minutes. Davis spied Jelavic peeling away from his markers to the left and pinged a 30-yard ball on to his toe.

The Croat's control and finish from a tight angle were further proof of his value to Rangers' title charge, though MacDonald will blush at the way the ball squeezed between his body and arm.

Ian Black's shot from 30 yards rasped through the busy Rangers penalty box and was blocked by Allan McGregor who dived low to his right.

The Scotland keeper was quickly to his feet to launch a throw to Davis. The Northern Irish midfielder collected the ball and dashed forward with four team-mates in support.

Davis passed to overlapping full-back Steven Whittaker who flashed a low ball across the face of the goal and through the legs of Steven Naismith - offside at the edge of the six-yard box.

Wylde sent the ball back into the danger area where Lafferty timed his run well to meet the ball and send a shot past McDonald from eight yards.

Goal difference may yet decide the destination of the SPL trophy. Celtic were a point behind at kick-off but five goals better off, so a third goal was met with an enthusiastic roar around the stands.

Maurice Edu won the ball in midfield and passed to Wylde on the left.

He was too quick, too eager for Hearts forward David Obua and, once past the Ugandan, he clipped a cross that was deflected on to the head of Davis, his timing and finish superb.

Black was the victim of a late challenge in 54 minutes by Whittaker, a sign that the intensity of the game had not relented.

Lafferty drew warm applause for a confident surge with the ball into the Hearts penalty box before play was disrupted by injury and acrimony.

Stephen Elliott replaced Templeton 12 minutes into the second half as Hearts' young striker pulled up with a hamstring injury, most likely ending his season.

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies introduced Scott Robinson for the ineffective Skacel but within seconds Jonsson had received a red card for a brutal challenge on Jelavic that left the striker in a heap.

Edu and Naismith were booked for their parts in the stramash that followed.

Hearts were unable to test McGregor, the loss of Skacel and Templeton lessening their scoring threat and the red card for their captain reducing them to mere containment.

El-Hadji Diouf and Lee McCulloch took to the pitch as Jelavic and Edu were rested with 20 minutes to go.

A shot from Sasa Papac in the 77th minute was blocked by the Hearts defence 10 yards from goal but Naismith, ever sharp, pounced on the loose ball, spun and cracked a shot off the upright.

The final goal was tough on the luckless Stevenson. Lafferty's shot from 18 yards was parried by MacDonald, who also palmed away Diouf's close-range follow-up.

However, the Senegalese forward's second attempt was deflected past MacDonald by the Hearts midfielder.

Hearts can remain confident of finishing third while Rangers are two wins away from the league title.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version