Rangers have closed to within two points of Premiership leaders Hearts after a thrilling 4-2 victory at Ibrox. Danny Rohl's side have top spot within their sights following another dramatic day of twists and turns.
Ibrox was stunned as Marc Leonard capitalised on a dreadful passage of play to put the visitors ahead. The advantage lasted just minutes after Ryan Naderi made it 1-1 following a scramble in the area.
Another defensive disaster allowed Claudio Braga saw Derek McInnes celebrating once again. It was short lived for the second time as Youssef Chermiti levelled.
The next time the Portuguese got a chance, he scored with a fine header to give Rangers the lead for the first time. And he completed his hat-trick with a clinical finish in injury time to give Rangers the win.
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Momentum is with Rangers in title race
This was not just any three points. The true significance of this victory will become clear in the fullness of time but this was a day for Rangers to celebrate and to savour. This was a statement of intent, further confirmation that Rohl’s side fancy their chances of landing the title this term.
The news from Rugby Park filtered around Ibrox as the teams went through their warm-up. It was not what either side wanted to hear. But it was also somewhat irrelevant on a day when both teams would have reinforced the need to take care of their own business first and foremost. The magnitude of these 90 minutes spoke for itself.
When Hearts twice took the lead, the majority of those inside Ibrox would have feared the worst for the job in hand and the bigger picture. The first two goals that Rangers scored were celebrated as acts of defiance.
The third was one of real celebration as Rohl’s side had victory in sight. The roar that followed the fourth was relief as much as anything. The points were in the bag.
Now top spot is within Rangers’ reach. The gap that Rohl inherited has all-but been eradicated. Of course there is still so much work to be done, of course Rangers are not favourites for this title just yet. But a team that were written off in October could now be champions in May.
Eight million down the drain…
The equaliser came just minutes after Rangers had gifted Hearts the lead. It revitalised Ibrox and Rohl’s side. Tuur Rommens provided the cross from the left and Youssef Chermiti’s header was superbly saved. Mikey Moore’s follow-up hit the bar and Naderi scrambled home.
Before Rangers could look to capitalise on the momentum shift, they handed it back to Hearts. Once again, they found a way to come back and level proceedings.
Chermiti had fired wide of the far post in one of the few chances Rangers had created following Braga’s header. When the Portuguese got his next sight of goal, he took it. Rangers advanced down the right through Naderi, Chermiti got the break of the ball and then fired it beyond Alexander Schwolow.
It was the Portuguese’s first goal since Parkhead. Like that day, he doubled his tally. The cross from Andreas Skov Olsen was pinpoint and the header was perfect as Chermiti gave Rangers the lead.
Moore should have at least hit the target as Rangers pushed for a fourth. Tochi Chukwuani fired wide after a fumble from Schwolow. Late on, some in the ground thought that Oliver Antman’s effort from distance was going to find the bottom corner.
The announcement of Chermiti as Man of the Match was followed by the strike that made sure of the points. The finish from inside the area was clinical. In the big moments, Chermiti stepped up. The same was true of Rangers.
Jambos can’t capitalise
Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. Hearts had caused Rangers few problems in the opening quarter of an hour but it was the visitors who took the lead. It was one that was handed to them. Manny Fernandez played a pass that Nico Raskin wasn’t expecting and had turned his back on. The outcome was inevitable as Leonard received a cutback and beat Jack Butland.
The second goal was not as comical. It was just as unacceptable from Rohl’s perspective. The header from Braga was excellent. The effort to stop him from John Souttar was unacceptable.
It was 2-2 at the break. The last chances went to Hearts as Butland saved from Alex Kyziridis and Beni Baningime put a tame effort wide of target.
Jordi Altena and Pierre Landry Kabore were introduced as McInnes switched to a 3-4-3 for the second period. Ageu’s first start, which included an early booking, lasted just 45 minutes.
The alterations from McInnes didn’t have the desired impact and Hearts struggled for a foothold before falling behind. There were moments where the Jambos looked threatening and nerves were raised as the ball was flashed across goal or crosses put into the area.
Rohl got it right this time
Was this Rohl’s ‘best’ Rangers XI? The debate over what that side has been ongoing since before a ball was kicked at Fir Park on Wednesday night. The German was accused of taking his eye off the ball, of playing for a draw and of settling for not getting beat. All of those points are, of course, nonsense. Rohl picked a team to win and was seconds away from achieving it.
The selection here was more palatable to the punters. All four of the January recruits started and there were two strikers from the off.
It was a bold call from Rohl to go with two strikers but both repaid the faith. Naderi got a goal to go with his relentless running, while Chermiti took his brace in style and was excellent in his all-round game.
Chukwuani continues to impress, almost as much as Rommens. This was not the dominant performance from Skov Olsen that many expected, but he did still get an assist.
Skov Olsen was replaced by Mohamed Diomande and Antman took over from Naderi. The German looked like a man who had left everything on the park as he made his way off it.
Ibrox believes it is there to be won
It had the feel of a big game. The crowd were in their seats early as Ibrox filled long before a ball was kicked. In the away end, the Hearts supporters played their part in the occasion. In the home stands, punters stood in anticipation of the moments that would define one of the matches of the campaign that lived up to the billing.
This crowd is a difficult one to play in front of. When you get them behind you, it is clearly a help rather than a hindrance. This was the loudest that Ibrox has been this term. How high will the decibel levels reach before the end of the campaign?
Rangers paid tribute to the Armed Forces before the game and at half-time. Soldiers abseiled from the Sandy Jardine, Copland and Broomloan Stands after the teams followed out representatives from all of the Services. At the break, the Scots Pipes and Drums played.
Before and after the show of respect and Remembrance, Ibrox was a cauldron of noise, a concoction of nerves, jubilation and anger. At the end, it was the 50,000 who celebrated.
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