Hearts hit Rangers' title hopes

22 January 2011 15:30
Ryan Stevenson grabbed the only goal of the game as Hearts continued their bid to be taken seriously as title contenders with a win over Rangers in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. The win allowed the Jambos to move to within two points of the Scottish champions and strengthen their case for a three-way fight for the championship, or to at least split the Old Firm this season. Defeat at Tynecastle denied Rangers the opportunity to move into pole position ahead of Celtic's game later in the day, with the Hoops next up to face Hearts. Home goalkeeper Marian Kello endured a busy afternoon and was on hand to twice thwart Kyle Lafferty in the first half. But it was Hearts who opened the scoring after 77 minutes. Rudi Skacel went to ground in the box under pressure from Jamie Ness but there was no penalty as play raged on in the packed goalmouth. Skacel picked himself up to have a half-shot on goal which was forced into the back of the net by Stevenson from close-range. Rangers could have hauled themselves level when Nikica Jelavic tried his luck with an ambitious overhead kick which crashed off the underside of the bar as Hearts held on for the win.

Source: PA