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Hearts 4-1 Rangers
Hearts thrashed Rangers to collect a much needed win after Ian Cathro’s side put four goals past their visitors for the first time in nearly a decade.
Krystian Nowak opened the scoring for the home side before Emerson Hyndham drew the Ibrox outfit level before the break.
But a Jamie Walker brace sandwiched a strike from Don Cowie as Cathro collected his second win from seven Premiership matches since replacing Robbie Neilson.
Hearts stormed in front after four minutes when Nowak rose high in a congested box to meet Andraz Strung’s cross and head the ball into the far corner of the net.
Roared on by the vociferous home fans, Hearts had their tails up and French midfielder Malaury Martin had two efforts that just crept past Wes Foderingham’s upright.
Rangers had their first shot on target after 15 minute when Martyn Waghorn’s low drive was spilled by Hearts keeper Jack Hamilton but the Hearts defence cleared the danger.
Hamilton then bailed out team-mate Nowak after Waghorn pounced on a slack pass back, before Rangers winger Barrie McKay sent a drive just inches past the post.
But Rangers levelled in the 36th minute with a drive from on loan Bournemouth youngster Hyndman.
Hamilton flapped after James Tavernier’s corner and Hyndman lashed a first time shot past a ruck of bodies into the net.
A lightning quick start to the second period saw Cathro’s side open up a two goal lead within ten minutes.
Walker put the hosts back in front after dispossessing Andy Halliday and rifling a low right-footed drive into the corner of the net from 20 yards.
Rangers were then caught napping when Bjorn Johnsen ran on to Martin’s quick free-kick and skinned Clint Hill in the box before his shot-cum-cross was tapped in at the back post by Cowie.
A fourth arrived in the 63rd minute as Hearts ran riot. Rangers keeper Foderingham could not get any distance on an attempted clearance as he challenged Johnsen in the air and Walker passed the ball into the unguarded net.
Walker was denied his hat-trick after Foderingham pulled off a stunning save to push the playmaker’s free-kick past the post.
