Rangers secured a vital 3-1 victory over Hearts at Tynecastle Park, a match defined by two own goals from Hearts' defender Jamie McCart. The win came in the wake of Rangers' recent Scottish Cup defeat, as manager Philippe Clement demanded a strong performance from his squad. Despite the victory, Rangers remain 13 points adrift of Celtic in the Scottish Premiership standings, a gap that continues to concern fans and pundits alike.
The game began with both teams eager to display their attacking prowess in an open and entertaining contest. Jamie McCart's misfortune started in the 20th minute when he inadvertently put the ball into his own net, giving Rangers an early lead. The home side managed to level the score shortly after the restart through Michael Steinwender, who netted his first goal for Hearts. However, Vaclav Cerny restored Rangers' advantage in the 61st minute, marking his tenth goal of the league campaign. McCart's second own goal in the 73rd minute sealed Hearts' fate, ensuring a much-needed win for the visitors.
"It was an open game and one everyone enjoyed to watch." – Philippe Clement
Rangers boss Philippe Clement had called for a reaction following their disappointing loss to Queen's Park. His players responded with a performance that met his demands, showcasing defensive resilience and effective transitions throughout the match.
"We defended, competed and transitioned well but lacked that little bit of quality in the final moment." – Neil Critchley
Despite the victory, concerns linger regarding Rangers' position in the league. Sky Sports' Kris Boyd expressed dissatisfaction with the team's current standing, emphasizing that being 13 points behind Celtic is unacceptable. He highlighted that fans have grown weary of Clement's tenure, especially given the resources at his disposal.
"Sometimes you need to be told the truth. It has not been good enough [under Clement]. I can understand why they don't want a managerial change but the fans have had enough of Clement." – Kris Boyd
Boyd also pointed out that expectations were high for Rangers to clinch the league title last season, a feat they failed to achieve. As it stands, Rangers' pursuit of Celtic continues to be a challenging endeavor.
Rangers' victory over Hearts is seen as crucial in their quest to close the gap on Celtic. The match not only demonstrated the team's potential but also highlighted areas needing improvement. With time still remaining in the season, Clement will look to build on this win and maintain momentum in upcoming fixtures.
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