Title-chasing Hearts clear crucial hurdle as Shankland shatters Rangers’ hopes

A three-horse race looks like it has been reduced to two. This most magical of Hearts seasons has edged closer to delivering the ultimate prize, an outcome that would shake Scottish football to its very foundations.

This was a game Rangers and their manager Danny Röhl dare not lose. They did, courtesy of a stirring second-half comeback from Hearts. Rangers now trail the Edinburgh club by seven points in the Scottish Premiership. The Hearts lead over Celtic has been restored to three with the same number of fixtures to play. ‘We shall not be moved’ first rang out here when Hibernian were beaten in dramatic fashion in early October. Those supporters believe it now, all right.

A sun-kissed bank holiday Monday in Edinburgh was ripe for a sporting occasion. Yet this was palpably different. From the city centre to famous old pubs in the vicinity of this famous old ground – The Golden Role, Athletic Arms, Tynecastle Arms – maroon-clad punters exuded excitement. Was this the most significant fixture Tynecastle had staged since the league was conceded, agonisingly, on goal average to Kilmarnock in April 1965? Perhaps not but it was at least in the conversation. Another close brush with glory, in the campaign of 1985-86, marked the last time Hearts completed a home league season unbeaten.

Having not been crowned champions for 66 years, Hearts have catapulted themselves into the position where they would be hugely disappointed if they do not claim the flag. On the grounds of economic disparity between the Old Firm and Hearts, this is a remarkable scenario.

The pre-game atmosphere was one for Hearts to be proud of. It showed the value of having this club in such a prominent position. Yet the hosts were outplayed in the opening 45 minutes, triggering a half-time alteration from Derek McInnes which implied the manager knew his original setup was wrong.

For all Rangers’ early dominance, it was a scrappy goal that broke the deadlock. James Tavernier’s long throw was flicked on by the head of the Hearts defender Stuart Findlay. Dujon Sterling’s shot may not have caused Alexander Schwolow any problem, but for a deflection off Michael Steinwender. Schwolow was beaten as the ball looped over his head. The teams had earlier traded set-piece chances, Craig Halkett and Tochi Chukwuani missing them.

The goal rattled Hearts, who resorted to needless and ineffectual one-dimensional football. Lawrence Shankland and Cláudio Braga, ordinarily a potent front-line, lacked connectivity. Rangers were dominant in midfield, a scenario due at least in part to injuries that have afflicted Hearts in that area. McInnes introduced Blair Spittal, the hero of last week’s Edinburgh derby, at the interval in place of Islam Chesnokov.