Rangers' four minutes of agony as one fall guy gets backing from Danny Rohl

His side’s 2-1 defeat to Hearts was the first time Rangers have suffered defeat under him in the league. It is also Rangers’ first league reversal since they were beaten by the same side in September, during Russell Martin’s ill-starred spell in charge at Ibrox.

Rangers aimed to pull within sight of leaders Hearts with a win at Tynecastle, where they had not lost since 2020. However, two goals within four minutes late in the second half from Stuart Findlay and Lawrence Shankland, who squeezed the ball past Jack Butland at the ‘keeper’s near post, meant they had it all to do in the second half.

All they could summon in response was a late goal from substitute Youssef Chermiti. They are now 12 points behind leaders Hearts, although with a game in hand, and six behind Celtic. They failed to overhaul Motherwell, who remain in third place after Saturday's 1-0 win over Dundee.

Rangers did have a goal from Bojan Miovski ruled out for offside nine minutes in. “Until the 1-0, we were better,” said Rohl. “We were unlucky with the tight offside decision. But then came the four minutes, it cost us something here today. It is tough to accept.”

He lamented mistakes that he said led to Hearts’ two goals. “In big games you have to be 100 per cent in every situation,” he said. Rohl admitted it was a blow to Rangers’ ambitions of staking a perhaps surprise title challenge.

“We missed a big opportunity today, this is hard to take,” he said. “I spoke about steps. Today it was more a side-step than a step forward. We spoke about it - football is not about if, it's about the result. Today we couldn't win. Of course, the gap is a bit more open again.

“It's tough,” he added. “Because I felt really in the first half until the first goal there was more on, and in the second half I can just have to say that we tried everything, I think my team tried and put all the effort in, but then in such a game it's not so easy to come back.

Rangers goalkeeper gets strong defence

“There is still a long way to go,” he added. “In the next three weeks, we have some big games. It is positive that I see we are competitive. But like in our European games, we have to be more clinical.”

Rohl defended Butland’s role in both Hearts goals. A poor clearance from the ‘keeper led to the corner from which Findlay headed in, although there were more players culpable than just Butland. He was also beaten at his near post four minute later for what proved the game’s winning goal.

“If you make a mistake in a No.10 position, centre-forward, winger position, the consequence is not so huge,” he said. “If you make it in the last line, or by the goalkeeper's decision-making, then there's a big impact. He (Butland) gives us a lot of points.

“We are as a group not happy about the result. I put it to the group, and it was a big message, that we should not blame each other in such moments. It is about the reaction. And the next chance is next week.”