FT: Rangers 4-2 Hearts: Leonard steers in opener before Steinwender finds his own net; Braga restores Hearts lead but Chermiti levels again before heading in after break; Chermiti completes hat-trick with cool finish
FT: Kilmarnock 2-3 Celtic – John-Jules arcs in sumptuous opener; Hugill’s looping header outfoxes Schmeichel; Tounekti arrows in lifeline before Nygren leveller; Araujo slams in 97th-minute winner
FT: Motherwell 2-0 Aberdeen – Just crashes in opener; McIntyre turns in late own go
Hearts ‘aren’t going away quietly’ – McInnespublished at 19:20 GMT
FT: Rangers 4-2 Hearts
Hearts manager Derek McInnesImage source, SNS
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes tells BBC Scotland: “Obviously disappointed because we came here to get a positive result. Regardless of how the game plays out, we still feel there’s so much optimism for the season ahead.
“We showed good courage in the game. Our biggest downfall was losing three goals out the four when we had possession of the ball in their half.
“When we were set in our shape, Rangers didn’t cause us too many problems. Where we were susceptible and looked like losing goals was exactly when we had good possession of the ball and we had too many bodies forward.
“The crowd helped the Rangers team. The longer we stay in front then that becomes more difficult and challenging for the Rangers players. We didn’t allow that. We allowed the crowd to get behind the team.
“Rangers have spent £40m-50m in two windows trying to put this squad together so there’s no shame for us losing this game, there’s just disappointment that we put so much into it.
“Credit to Rangers, they’ve won a big game. I still think there’s a big fight ahead of us for us all. We’re not too despondent because I see enough courage, I see enough in the performance and I still feel with the fixtures we’ve got between now and the split, particularly so many at home, that we can win games that can keep the whole thing moving along for us.
“These lads give everything for the shirt. We’re not going to go along away quietly. We’re top of the league. It takes a lot of good things for a team to be where we are in the league and hopefully there’s a bit more in it.”
Postpublished at 19:17 GMT
FT: Rangers 4-2 Hearts
Today marks the first time Hearts have lost after scoring the opening goal in the Premiership since 30 October 2024 against Kilmarnock.
That was a 31-game run. Hearts boss Derek McInnes has been speaking to BBC Scotland…
🚨 Sportscene incoming!published at 19:15 GMT
FT: Rangers 4-2 Hearts
Here’s your reminder that Sportscene is just starting on the BBC Scotland channel.
You can also watch it right here. Easy peasy.
What’s next?published at 19:13 GMT
FT: Rangers 4-2 Hearts
Rangers and Hearts both have midweek off before returning to league action. Hearts host Falkirk next Saturday (15:00 GMT) and Rangers travel to Livingston the following day (15:00).
Celtic welcome Stuttgart in the first leg of their Europa League knockout play-off on Thursday (20:00) before Hibs come to Parkhead next Sunday (15:00).
get involved
Get Involvedpublished at 19:10 GMT
Have your say on the action
Us “down south” are taking notice of this title race, and we’re cheering on Hearts. Nothing personal to the Old Firm but it would be great to see another winner after 40 years. Imagine Hearts in the Champions League! Just like Leicester in 2016, we love an underdog.
Rob
Rangers have ‘big opportunity’ – Rohlpublished at 19:07 GMT
FT: Rangers 4-2 Hearts
Danny RohlImage source, SNS
Rangers head coach Danny Rohl tells BBC Scotland: “We showed big personality to come back two times. We gave them two presents. Except from these two conceded goals, we nearly played a perfect game. Over 90 minutes, we were the better team, we fully deserved this win.
“Since I’m here, best atmosphere in the stadium. If we are doing this again with my group, with the fans, it will be a good, good season. We had so much energy in the stadium, on the field.
“I’m very happy for my group. We should not speak again this season about mentality. We should keep this momentum. Next week, we have to deliver again.
“The gap is just the two points now. I think it’s now a race with three teams. It will be a great finish in this league and we are in the race. A few months ago, nobody thought about this and we showed our development.
“We have a big opportunity. We are middle in the race, this is what we want, this is what we tried since I’m here, to have a small chance and now we are in the middle of this exciting race and let’s see what we can do.”
On Youssef Chermiti, Rohl said: “Three goals, he worked hard for the group. I always believe in him. My job is now to keep him hungry and he will be hungry because he’ll want to score more, but big games are for big players and today he showed how big he is.”
Postpublished at 19:05 GMT
FT: Rangers 4-2 Hearts
Rangers have now won 10 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, only Dundee United (13) have recovered more.
Danny Rohl is responsible for some of them and he’s just been speaking to BBC Scotland…
Sportscene on the waypublished at 19:02 GMT
FT: Rangers 4-2 Hearts
It’s difficult to think of a more significant day in the Premiership season so far, and you can watch how it all unfolded on Sportscene shortly.
The BBC Scotland channel – or the iPlayer – is where you need to be at 19:15 GMT.
There will also be a repeat at 23:40 on BBC One Scotland.
On a Rohlpublished at 18:58 GMT
FT: Rangers 4-2 Hearts
Scott Arfield
Former Rangers midfielder on BBC Sportsound
It’s not been pretty for Rangers for the most of this season.
Danny Rohl has gone in there and quietly got this team firing again.
FT: Rangers 4-2 HeartsImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 18:55 GMT
Motherwell…?
Postpublished at 18:55 GMT
Celtic
Postpublished at 18:55 GMT
Rangers
Postpublished at 18:55 GMT
Hearts
Postpublished at 18:54 GMT
FT: Rangers 4-2 Hearts
Kheredine asked the question – who wins the title? – so let’s see what you all think.
Choose your fighter…
A Rohl receptionpublished at 18:5
With the Boney M classic ‘Daddy Cool’ blasting out of the speakers at Ibrox, Danny Rohl was warmly applauded by his happy fans during a post-match lap of honour.
This old place was raucously rocking for most of the match, especially when Rangers got their noses in front.
Anyone coming here knows they’re in for a torrid match. That was absolutely not the case earlier in the season under Russell Martin.
What a turnaround under Rohl, who’s got his side tucked right in behind Hearts
FT: Rangers 4-2 Hearts
Scott Arfield
Former Rangers midfielder on BBC Sportsound
It was a massive game.
Rangers needed to win not just for the result, but for the galvanisation of the team.
As we mentioned, the job that Danny Rohl has done to get Rangers in the mix of this title race is fantastic.
⚽ ⚽ ⚽published at 18:46 GMT
FT: Rangers 4-2 Hearts
FT: Rangers 4-2 HeartsImage source, SNS
‘We know we have 11 finals now’ – Raskinpublished at 18:44 GMT
Rangers hat-trick hero Youssef Chermiti tells Sky Sports: “Great feeling, great game for everyone, now we’re looking forward to the next game. Everyone in the team helps me to gain confidence.”
…
About the Author
