26th January 2020 Hearts v Rangers 2-1

Sunday and time for Hearts against Rangers. Ranger currently lie second in the SPL two points behind Celtic but with two games in hand and will be looking for a win today to maintain their title challenge. Had a busy morning but got home in time for lunch at 13.00 as Natalie left to go out to Craig's to watch their dog while he and Harper went to Tynecastle as Claire and Harmoni were away for a weekend in Newcastle for a cheer leading competition. After lunch I took Rufus for a walk and then headed down to Tynecastle arriving at 14.20 for the 15.00 kickoff. As I queued for my coffee and sausage roll I met Craig and Harper. With Harmoni away Harper had brought two of his friends to use her season ticket with Craig having bought another seat in the same row. I took my seat in the Main Stand about 14.40 in plenty of time for the kick-off.

Hearts have been in the news this week with a lot of activity in the transfer market. On the departure side Glenn Whelan has now signed for Fleetwood Town, Jake Mulraney for Atlanta in the American MLS, and keeper Kevin Silva for Toronto again in the MLS. Craig Wighton has moved to Arbroath on loan for the rest of the season while Rory Currie has joined Linfield, again till the end of the season. Earlier in the week Hearts signed Kosovan international Donis Avdijaj after his contract with Turkish side Trabzonspor was cancelled by mutual consent. Avdijaj started his career with German side Schalke and has also played for Sturm Graz (Austria) and Dutch sides Roda JC and Willem II. A winger or striker, he made his Hearts debut in the draw at Ross County in midweek. On Friday Hearts announced the signing of Toby Sibbick, a defender or holding midfield player, from Barnsley on loan for the rest of the see and also striker Liam Boyce from Burton Albion. Northern Ireland international Boyce previously played in the SPL with Ross County and has been a consistent goalscorer throughout his career. Both the latest signings were included in todays starting line-up with Avdijaj amongst the substitutes. Rangers were missing striker Alfredo Morelos as he served the last game a three match suspension but were otherwise at full strength.

The game started with Hearts showing a positive approach, harrying Rangers and not allowing them to settle in obsession while also showing a willingness to attack with wingers Lewis Moore and Euan Henderson willing to run at and take on opponents. Boyce had the first attempt on goal with a shot fro the edge of the penalty box which Alan McGregor in the Ranger goal got down to save. Rangers first threat came shortly after when Ryan Kent ran into the Hearts penalty box onto a through ball from Ryan Jack. His shot from around fifteen yards was high, wide and not very handsome. Boyce then had the ball in the net after a thorough ball from Steven Naismith who robbed Rangers Steve Davis of possession. His effort was ruled offside by the assistant referee's flag. it as a tight decision but I think he had also come back from an offside position to receive the ball. Joe Aribo then had a good run for Rangers but under a challenge from Aidy White he could only shoot past the post. Henderson then tried to run onto a long ball on the left hand touchline. He was cynically pulled back by Jon Flanagan who was rightly yellow carded. Some fans were claiming a red card should have been shown but I don’t think a foul almost forty yards from goal on the left touchline could be classed as denying a clear goal scoring opportunity. Just before halftime White had to leave the field for attention to what looked like a blow to his nose but returned after the treatment. 

Hearts brought on Oliver Bozanic at halftime to replace White. Bozanic moved into midfield with Sibbick moving back to left back. Rangers also made changes removing Flanagan and  Jack, who had also been booked for fouling Henderson, and bringing on Matt Polster and Scott Arfield. Two minutes into the half Rangers went ahead. John Souttar lost a challenge in midfield and Kent raced forward into the Hearts half and passed to Bona Barisic on the left. The full-back headed towards the byeline and sent a low cross towards Aribo ten yards from goal. Aribo laid the ball back to Kent who had continued his run into the box and he shot home from about fifteen yards. Hearts continued to press although Craig Halkett made an excellent last gasp challenge on Jermaine Defoe in the penalty box to prevent another goal at the expense of a corner. Hearts equalised in fifty-seven minutes after Glen Kamara lost the ball in a challenge with Halkett on the right hand side of the pitch. Hallkett fed the ball forward to Boyce who ran towards the byeline and into the box. He then cut the ball back to Naismith in the near post area twelve yards from goal. Naismith chipped the ball first time over McGregor into the far side of the net. Hearts brought on Conor Washington and Uche Ikpeazu as they looked for a winner. With Boyce, Naismith and Henderson already on the pitch they were now fielding five recognised strikers. Ikpeazu had a run down the left and crossed low into the box. Henderson flicked the ball on to Washington at the far post about eight yards out. His shot beat McGregor but was cleared from almost on the line by Connor Goldson. However with seven minutes to go Tynecastle erupted when Hearts went ahead. Bozanic crossed into the penalty box from the left. Steven Davis of Rangers deflected the ball away towards the edge of the area to Boyce. The striker controlled the ball with his right foot and moved to the side to shoot from sixteen yards past McGregor  into the net with the aid of a slight deflection of Barisic. Rangers were rattled and it showed at the restart. Aribo kicked the ball and then took a second touch before another player had played the ball. The referee, correctly, awarded Hearts a free-kick on the centre spot and I am sure this was the first time I have seen this happen at a match.The final few minutes were nervy but with John Souttar going down after getting a boot in the face while diving to head a ball clear. Thankfully he recovered quickly and Hearts held out for a famous victory to leave them now one point behind Hamilton at the foot of the table.

Tynecastle erupted again at the final whistle. As the fans cheered, Magic' by Pilot was played at full volume over the tannoy. The players applauded the crowd before leaving the pitch to tumultuous applause. "The Hearts Song" was then played as the Hearts fans left the ground singing along. I walked home with a smile on my face which has not happened often this season. The transformation in the side and the style of play has been amazing. Everyone in the team including the substitutes played well and understood the game plan and their own roles and responsibilities. Boyce and Sibbick both had excellent debuts and the striker could be the answer to Hearts long standing scoring problem. Also players like Sean Clare and Andy Irving who had been unsuccessful under the previous management team seem to have recovered confidence and showing some excellent form under Daniel Stendel. 

Teams
Hearts: Pereira, White, Souttar, Clare, Naismith, Halkett, Moore, Boyce, Sibbick, Irving, Henderson. 
Subs: Bozanic, Washington, Ikpeazu
Rangers: McGregor, Goldson, Jack, Defoe, Davis, Kent, Flanagan, Aribo, Kamara, Katic, Barisic. 
Subs: Anfield, Polster, Ojo.