Hearts made a big statement in the Scottish Premiership title race by ending Rangers’ year-long unbeaten away league run with a strong win at a loud Tynecastle. First-half goals from Stuart Findlay and Lawrence Shankland secured victory over Rangers and confirmed that Derek McInnes’ surprise leaders are serious title contenders.
The win moved Hearts nine points clear of Celtic, who still had to play later against Aberdeen. Rangers have now lost only twice in the league this season, and both defeats have come against Hearts, who sit 12 points above them. A late goal from Youssef Chermiti was not enough to stop Hearts from claiming their first home league win over Rangers in eight tries, as they stayed unbeaten in 10 home games this season.
Rangers had some early chances, including a disallowed goal after a VAR review ruled Bojan Miovski offside. Nicolas Raskin and Jayden Meghoma also went close, but Hearts survived the pressure. After several missed efforts, Hearts took the lead when Stuart Findlay headed in from a corner, beating Connor Barron in the air.
Rangers struggled to recover, and Lawrence Shankland doubled the lead with a powerful low shot that squeezed past goalkeeper Jack Butland. After the break, Hearts looked more likely to score again, with Shankland missing chances before being denied by a good Butland save. Chermiti later took advantage of a defensive mistake to score for Rangers, but it came too late to change the result.
