McCart scores two own goals while Rangers triumph over Hearts

Two own goals by Jamie McCart allowed Rangers to triumph at Tynecastle against Hearts, reducing the deficit to 13 points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic and providing relief for manager Philippe Clement, who has faced pressure.

The hosts entered the match without a loss in eight games, aiming for their fifth consecutive victory, and can consider themselves unlucky not to have earned a point that would have propelled them into the top six.

McCart’s initial own goal was equalized by Michael Steinwender, yet Vaclav Cerny regained the advantage, and the home center-back’s second deflection confirmed the loss, even though Hearts controlled possession and created opportunities.

Rangers appeared eager to make amends for their surprising Scottish Cup loss to Queen’s Park, and ex-Hearts defender John Souttar scored just two minutes in, but his back-post finish was disallowed for offside.

Nevertheless, when Ianis Hagi delivered a low cross into the six-yard area, goalkeeper Craig Gordon could merely deflect the ball onto the legs of centre-back McCart and into his own goal.

In-form Elton Kabangu was stopped by a resilient Jack Butland once before the first goal and twice soon after, while striking partner Lawrence Shankland was similarly denied by the Rangers goalie’s fingertips.

Gordon stopped a second own goal from McCart, but even with Rangers showing improvement toward the end of the first half, Steinwender opened the second half by connecting with a James Penrice corner to redirect a header into the far corner, marking the centre-back’s first Hearts goal in his home debut after joining from Varnamo.

Nonetheless, Cerny delivered the clinical touch when a Hamza Igamane attempt was deflected into the winger’s route, and the points were confirmed when McCart slid the ball past Gordon while pursuing a through pass with Cyriel Dessers.

Kabangu rejected hat-trick

Hearts manager Neil Critchley, along with his players and the home supporters, will be left contemplating how they missed the opportunity to climb to fifth place before local rivals Hibs took on St Mirren in the Sunday afternoon match.

It seemed they would significantly miss the hardworking Cammy Devlin, missing in midfield due to concussion, as Rangers posed an early threat down the flanks.

Nonetheless, after Hearts found their rhythm, the guests seemed ripe for the picking, looking shaky in defense and lacking confidence after last week’s cup elimination.

On-loan Union St-Gilloise forward Kabangu could have scored a first-half hat-trick, increasing his tally to five goals in the last five matches.

Hearts have netted more goals from set-pieces than any team in the Premiership this season, so it was expected that Steinwender outjumped Souttar to head in the equaliser following yet another poorly defended corner.

Nonetheless, although two counter-attack goals disrupted Hearts’ flow, Critchley likely observed many positives to carry into next weekend’s match against last-placed St Johnstone, as they once again highlighted their capability to secure a top six finish.

Clement owes gratitude to Butland.

Clement had implemented five alterations to the lineup that fell to Queen’s Park, maintaining that they were due to squad rotation rather than a reaction to that significant loss.

Before that, Rangers had gone nine matches without a loss at home, but they had five consecutive away games without a win before defeating Dundee United on their last away trip.

Which Rangers would arrive after traveling along the M8?

It was undoubtedly a more recognizable lineup than the one that began the cup loss, and they seemed to have reverted to their earlier performance in the beginning.

Nonetheless, the vulnerability and irregularity that have plagued Rangers’ domestic campaign resurfaced, and they should consider themselves lucky to have maintained their unbeaten streak against Hearts to 18 encounters.

The fact that Butland was named man of the match speaks for itself.

Ultimately, captain James Tavernier managed to commemorate his 300th Premiership match – being the first non-Scottish athlete to achieve that milestone in the tournament since its rebranding in 2013 – with a win.

Most significantly, Clement and the club’s management can finally relax as the strain lifts from the Belgian, allowing him and his players to make a slight advancement in repairing their bond with dissatisfied supporters.

What was stated

Hearts manager Neil Critchley: “I believe we performed exceptionally.” To be honest, I believed we were the superior team.

“We controlled the ball more, made more passes, took more shots, created more clear chances, but still lost the match 3-1.” The narrative of the match is that they’ve been efficient while we have not. If we seize our opportunities, significant opportunities, then I believe the game might have turned out differently.

“Strategically, I believed we performed well and generated those opportunities, leading to significant chances to score.” “We encountered some misfortune with a few of the goals.”

Rangers boss Philippe Clement: “Everyone was crushed after last weekend. There was just one path, and that involves achieving a better outcome.

Hearts pushed all their chips in. We understood there would be places for us too. Jack, we are aware of his strengths. He was, for a reason, the player of the year last season. Today, he delivered an exceptionally powerful performance.

“There has been much discussion regarding our performance on the road, and rightly so in the initial part of the season.” “Succeeding at Hearts is significant – Dundee United was crucial too.”