Rangers 1-0 Hearts: Malik Tillman earns hosts vital victory

Malik Tillman’s second-half winner gave Rangers a much-needed victory against Hearts and keeps them seven points off the summit of the Scottish Premiership.

But Tillman turned in Borna Barisic’s cross to bring relief to a frustrated Ibrox, and from that moment Rangers looked more likely to add a second than Hearts did to equalise.

With Celtic defeating Motherwell, it was a vital victory for Rangers as they aim to cling to the coat-tails of their rivals with one game left to play before the league breaks for the World Cup.

But the first hour against a ragged Hearts side, who defended their box well but gifted up possession too easily, will have done little to convince those Rangers fans who have grave doubts about Van Bronckhorst’s ability to turn the season around.

Like they did in defeat by St Johnstone on Sunday, Rangers had plenty of possession and entries into Hearts’ box, but too often final pass or cross let them down.

Ryan Kent, who has been under scrutiny for his performances, was a bright spark and ended up creating the goal by beating three Hearts players before feeding Barisic, who teed up Tillman for the winner.

And from that moment Rangers looked more confident and at ease going forward, though not entirely convincing at the back.

Substitute Alfredo Morelos missed a great chance from close-range to seal the points, and the hosts had other opportunities to kill the game too. But in the end, with pressure mounting and Celtic in strong form, the win was all that mattered.

Hearts did their best to force an equaliser but never seriously threatened for a sustained period, with their best chance coming from Josh Ginnelly’s flashed cross, which flew between an unsighted Andy Halliday’s legs with the goal gaping and the game goalless.

More to follow.