Hearts 0 - 2 Rangers Sun 23/10/11

Rangers got back to winning ways in the SPL with an impressive 2-0 victory over Hearts at Tyncastle.

Steven Naismith and Nikica Jelavic were both on target as Rangers claimed victory over Hearts to strengthen their grasp on top spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Naismith grabbed his ninth goal of the season, before Jelavic - rated doubtful ahead of the game - doubled the advantage with his first touch of the ball just a few minutes after coming off the bench.

The win allowed Rangers to stretch their lead over second-placed Motherwell to nine points.

Jelavic had been struggling with a bug over the weekend and was named among the substitutes for Rangers, with Kyle Lafferty handed the role of lone forward.

Hearts named an unchanged side for the fourth consecutive game for the visit of the Scottish champions.

Rangers carved out the best of the chances during a frantic opening spell and Lee McCulloch was not too far away with a shot from distance that flashed just past the post.

Maurice Edu then saw his effort deflected wide for a corner and the American connected well with a Steven Davis ball into the box only to hook over on this occasion.

With ten minutes on the clock Steven Whittaker was the first name to go in to referee Calum Murray's notebook for a late challenge on David Templeton, his second foul of the game.

It was better from Rangers and on 21 minutes they opened the scoring with an excellent goal with Whittaker the architect.

The right back produced a trademark, lung bursting run in to the Hearts half and although he got a bit of luck when skipping past a defender his pass through to Naismith was inch perfect.

The Scotland star, who clearly loves playing at Tynecastle, didn't hesitate in blasting a powerful shot from 15 yards which went through the legs of Kello before hitting the net.

With the tackles flying in and the midfield area congested it was not a surprise that a second booking was issued, this time to Danny Grainger who clattered Edu from behind in the centre circle.

Rangers continued to push forward in search of a second goal and a Davis corner broke for Edu on the edge of the box but he lashed over, with Marian Kello untroubled in the Hearts goal.

There was a nervous moment for Rangers when a Carlos Bocanegra clearance, under pressure from Ryan Stevenson, trickled just past the post and narrowly avoided being an own-goal.

Goalkeeper Allan McGregor then produced a superb save to deny Rudi Skacel just before the break. Stevenson was booked for handling the ball as he attempted to connect with a Templeton delivery.

There was concern for Rangers early in the second half when Bocanegra was caught full in the face by an Eggert Jonsson strike but the defender was able to return to the action after receiving treatment.

Templeton used his pace to dart past Goian on the left and his cross arrived at Mrowiec, who was unmarked, at the back post. The Pole had time to take a touch but he somehow missed the goal from 12 yards.

Jonsson then tested McGregor with a shot at the near post that the goalkeeper spilled and the offside flag was raised by the time Stevenson pounced on the rebound which was hooked to safety by Bocanegra.

Hearts had another chance to haul themselves level but Skacel drilled well wide when he should at least have hit the target.

Rangers made a double change after 71 minutes when Wylde and Jelavic were thrown into the action for Papac and Lafferty.

With a section of the Hearts fans singing 'Black is going to get you' the Croatian took just 90 seconds to silence them by scoring an outstanding second goal for his side.

A Bocanegra ball over the Jambo's backline and Jelavic was there to cushion the ball in to the far corner of the net with the inside of his cultured right boot. It was the 27th goal of the striker's Rangers career and once again the finish was exquisite.

Hearts should have pulled a goal back almost immediately but McGregor did well to block two point-blank strikes from Stevenson.

This fixture was always going to a potential banana skin but McCoist will be delighted with his side's performance as every player played their part in another crucial victory.

Teams

RANGERS: McGregor; Whittaker (Broadfoot 77), Goian, Bocanegra, Wallace; Naismith, Davis, McCulloch, Edu, Papac (Wylde 72); Lafferty (Jelavic 72),

Subs:  Alexander, Perry, Fleck, Bedoya,

Hearts: Kello; Hamill, Zaliukas, Webster, Grainger; Mrowiec, Black (Smith 83), Jonsson (Taouil 79); Templeton, Stevenson, Skacel (Obua 83),

Subs: MacDonald, Novikovas, Robinson, McGowan

Ref: C Murray

Man-of-the-match: Bocanegra

Attendance: 15,495