Hearts are top of Christmas tree as Rangers reminded of their big failing

In the end, these fans were happy he did score. Or at least got the touch to a header that was probably going in anyway. Crucially, the North Macedonian was in an offside position when he made faint – and fateful – contact with Manny Fernandes’ header after nine minutes.

Many in the ground had not even noticed so the message that VAR was checking the goal’s validity was a genuine surprise. But it offered a sliver of hope for the home supporters. And lo, it came to pass: No goal. The lift this gave Hearts was immense. “We shall not be moved!” was the instant response from the Hearts supporters.

Only one winner after Hearts’ opener

No one is suggesting their side might not have recovered from one goal down. But they haven’t done so often this season. Indeed, they haven't had to.

But once they were a goal ahead here, courtesy of Stuart Findlay’s well-worked header following a corner, there was only ever going to be one winner. On the 12 previous occasions during this campaign in which they struck first, Hearts had won ten of them.

The other two games were draws. But a share of the spoils didn’t interest Hearts here. Outside the main stand, in the plaza where fans gather before matches, you could sense the expectation. It was also possible to detect the desperation of those poor souls looking for spare tickets. The Tynecastle Arms did a roaring trade in catering for the disappointed, who at least discovered there was some room in this particular inn.

Already guaranteed to lift the ‘Christmas Cup’, the imaginary but nevertheless psychologically significant trophy that comes with being league leaders on December 25, Hearts have added some tinsel to the Christmas tree by becoming the first side in over 40 years to beat the Old Firm in four successive league meetings. Archie Knox’s Dundee were the last side to do so, although their four victories in 1985 straddled two seasons.

Rangers suffer a first in 2025

But no one wins prizes for this. Dundee didn’t and neither will Hearts. No one lifts anything tangible for sitting top at Christmas either, even if you are six points clear of nearest challengers Celtic and 12 ahead of fourth-placed Rangers. It’s about where Hearts are at Easter and beyond. Can they keep this going? Well, there’s no reason why not on this evidence. As manager Derek McInnes later noted, they keep on answering big questions, including this one.

Whatever problems are befalling Rangers, they hadn’t lost away in the league in this calendar year. Okay, they crumbled here. Danny Rohl’s side did prod and probe for a bit following the blow of seeing what would have been a very good goal from Fernandes, who thought he had steered in James Tavernier’s corner, chalked off. A Mikey Moore effort was beaten out by Alexander Schwolow with Jayden Meghoma seeing his effort scrambled wide from the rebound. Was that it? Until substitute Youssef Chermiti scored with almost the last kick, pretty much so, yes. Connor Barron pulled an effort wide in the second half but there was never a sense that Rangers were pulling this back.

Although he did eventually score, the news that Rohl’s answer to being 2-0 down was to bring on Chermiti for Mohamed Diomande for the second half further buoyed Hearts. Harsh to say, but the 21-year-old, reportedly bought for £9 million from Everton, is now regarded as one of Scottish football’s biggest-ever misfits.

One goal in 18 previous appearances and yet here he was being sent on to try and save Rangers’ admittedly fanciful-seeming title ambitions. The announcement of the switch was even cheered by Hearts fans.

Shankland reminds Rangers what could have been

Silence greeted his second goal for the Ibrox side. It says everything about the wretched time he’s having in Scotland that this flash of what he can offer barely registered with Rangers fans. Only 450 or so were actually present at Tynecastle. A lot fewer were still in attendance when he scored with what was very nearly the last kick of the game. While he profited from a mix-up between Frankie Kent and Schwolow, the chance was neatly tucked away by the young forward.

Shankland, who Rangers were constantly linked with earlier this year, put Hearts two-nil up three minutes before half-time. The goal was a masterpiece of efficiency. A free-kick just inside the Hearts half was taken by Stephen Kingsley. Oisin McEntee won the first header, Claudio Braga the second and when everyone was expecting Shankland to cut the ball back, he slipped an angled shot between Jack Butland and the near post.

It was the hardest of the three chances that came his way although huge questions must be asked of Butland. The goalkeeper held up a begloved hand towards the Rangers supporters at the end before disappearing quickly down the tunnel. He knew he had erred. He did bail Rangers out in the second half, particularly when saving one of those two chances Shankland failed to take and which would otherwise have seen the Hearts striker secure a famous hat-trick. The first of these opportunities, after Alexandros Kyziridis had squared the ball to him, he unaccountably stroked wide from about 10 yards. Shankland at least made the ‘keeper work at the second opening.

Braga slipped him in following one of the thrilling breaks Hearts were able to mount in the second half as Rangers put caution to the wind. Shankland took a touch before steadying himself but saw Butland block.

It didn’t matter in the final analysis, unlike his earlier goal. Scored in front of the visiting fans, it turned out to be the game’s winner and keeps Hearts firmly on track at the top. Maybe Rangers ought to have signed him after all.