The key half-time change that inspired Hearts' fightback

Lawrence Shankland says the introduction of Blair Spittal was key [SNS]

Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland said he could feel his team would eventually come out on top against Rangers once they made a key half-time change.

Head coach Derek McInnes introduced Blair Spittal at the break, which allowed the Hearts strikers more space in front of the Rangers defence.

Shankland said that with Rangers dominating and holding a one-goal advantage at the break, things needed to change.

"The first half became difficult," he told BBC Scotland. "Rangers got their goal and they got a bit of confidence and went on from that. It caused us a lot of problems, to be honest.

"We couldn't quite get our press right at the top end of the pitch and they were picking us off pretty easily. So we were just glad to get in at half-time and it was only 1-0.

"We managed to bring Blair on. It sorted the middle of the pitch for us. It allowed us to get a press at the top and I think that changed the game for us.

"Obviously, we started to nick things at that end of the pitch and then eventually you feel the momentum coming when you get the equaliser. It felt as if we were going to beat them and we were going to get the next one."

The victory takes Hearts seven points clear of Rangers, with three games left to play.

However, Shankland would not be drawn on whether it is now a straight shootout between the Tynecastle club and Celtic for the title.

"Not mathematically, Rangers are still in it," he added. "But it's going to be difficult. There's no denying that, of course. When you only have three games left, it's going to be difficult for them to get back.

"But I'm sure they'll know there's belief there until it's mathematically impossible.

"We just need to concentrate on Motherwell. Another difficult game. Obviously, a team that's got a lot of praise this season for the way they do things. So we'll prepare well for that and we'll look to go there and get a result."