5 hours ago
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A three-horse race has witnessed a faller. This most magical of Hearts seasons has edged closer to delivering the ultimate prize, an outcome that would shake Scottish football to its very foundations.
This was a game Rangers and their manager, Danny Röhl, dare not lose. They did, courtesy of a stirring second-half comeback from Hearts. Rangers now trail the Edinburgh club by seven points. The Hearts lead over Celtic has been restored to three with the same number of fixtures to play.
“We shall not be moved” first rang out here when Hibernian were beaten in dramatic fashion in early October. Those supporters believe it now, all right. Saturday evening’s trip to Motherwell is the biggest game some Hearts followers will ever attend. Celtic host Rangers on Sunday. “We are in a very difficult situation,” said Röhl, who does a decent line in understatement.
A sun-kissed bank holiday Monday in Edinburgh was ripe for a sporting occasion. Yet this was palpably different. From the city centre to famous old pubs in the vicinity of this famous old ground – The Golden Role, Athletic Arms, Tynecastle Arms – maroon-clad punters exuded excitement. Was this the most significant fixture Tynecastle had staged since the league was conceded, agonisingly, on goal average to Kilmarnock in April 1965? Perhaps not but it was at least in the conversation. Another close brush with glory, in 1985-86, marked the last time Hearts completed a home league season unbeaten. They remain blemish free in the Premiership in EH11 this season.
Having not been crowned champions for 66 years, Hearts have catapulted themselves into the position where they would be hugely disappointed if they do not claim the flag. On the grounds of economic disparity between the Old Firm and Hearts, this is a remarkable scenario. This Rangers team, which wilted so starkly, was assembled for £40m.
The pre-game atmosphere was one for Hearts to be proud of. It showed the value of having this club in such a prominent position. Yet the hosts were outplayed in the opening 45 minutes, triggering a half-time switch and sentiment from an “annoyed” Derek McInnes which turned the match on its head. “If we play in the manner of that second half then we are difficult to stop,” said McInnes.
For all Rangers’ early dominance, it was a scrappy goal that broke the deadlock. James Tavernier’s long throw was flicked on by the head of the Hearts defender Stuart Findlay. Dujon Sterling’s shot may not have caused Alexander Schwolow any problem, but for a deflection off Michael Steinwender. Schwolow was beaten as the ball looped over his head.
The goal rattled Hearts, who resorted to needless and ineffectual one-dimensional football. Lawrence Shankland and Cláudio Braga, ordinarily a potent frontline, lacked connectivity. Rangers were dominant in midfield, a scenario due at least in part to injuries that have afflicted Hearts in that area. McInnes introduced Blair Spittal, the hero of last week’s Edinburgh derby, at the interval to great effect. Braga later revealed McInnes also urged his players to “man up”.
The league leaders began the second period with much more impetus. Stephen Kingsley capitalised on this resurgence with a nerveless finish from eight yards after Alexandros Kyziridis had struck a post with a left-foot shot.
The game was now so wonderfully frantic. Mikey Moore broke smartly for Rangers but was denied by Steinwender. Kyziridis stung the palms of Jack Butland. Rangers’ goalkeeper was soon to be rendered helpless by Shankland.
Kingsley is worthy of huge credit for pursuing a ball which looked set to run out of play. The full-back drilled a cross back, which reached his captain via a deflection. Shankland strode forward and cracked a superb, first-time shot low into the Rangers net. Shankland’s anticipation had bamboozled the Rangers defence. Pressure was now on Röhl to react to a change in circumstance; a test the German failed.
Spittal came within a wonderful Butland save of a Hearts third. Rangers had less than 20 minutes to save their season. Thelo Aasgaard, one of Röhl’s replacements, watched a looping header rebound from the Hearts bar. Röhl had deployed three strikers in emphasising his belief that even a draw might be insufficient reward. Rangers huffed and puffed without delivering anything more. This was to be Hearts’ day. Another one.
