Neil McCann reacts to ‘serious scare’ after incident in Hearts v Rangers
Rangers are fighting a key battle against an in-form Hearts side at Tynecastle as they look to respond from last week’s Scottish Cup debacle.
Philippe Clement and his side started ideally in Edinburgh as Jamie McCart’s own goal after 20 minutes provided a fortuitous gift for the travelling pocket of Gers support.
The cup exit inflicted by Queen’s Park at Ibrox last Sunday (9 February) had fans in Govan seething, but the league run remains positive as Gers seek a fifth straight win in the Scottish Premiership.
Rangers survive ‘serious scare’ thanks to Butland
Rangers may have taken the lead 20 minutes in courtesy of McCart putting past his own goalkeeper Craig Gordon, but they survived themselves just three minutes prior on two occasions.
Hearts streamed forward on the attack and Ianis Hagi put in a potentially troublesome challenge on James Wilson, for which the referee played an advantage and Elton Kabangu’s deflected shot was saved excellently by Jack Butland. Hagi was revisited following the break in play, receiving a booking.
Former Gers and Hearts man Neil McCann, co-commentating live on Sky Sports (16 February), sounded relieved as he described the visitors as escaping free from a “real serious scare” after a “naughty” Hagi challenge.
“It’s a real serious scare,” McCann said.
“Blair Spittal goes through, and he tried to chop it back, it comes to Kabangu and it takes a little nick off either John Souttar or Nsiala, and Butland has to make the save.
“Hagi is receiving a yellow card, he dives in – it’s a naughty one on top of his foot and a really good advantage played.”
Rangers need the win for morale as much as anything
Rangers fans have suffered compared to expectations at Ibrox this season, with the job of Clement and the reputation of both players and board members hanging in the balance.
There is little to play for in the Premiership for the rest of this season – Gers are finishing second without a shadow of a doubt and must now look to set up the foundations for the summer.
In the meantime, the team must continue to give a positive account of themselves in league action while seeing how far they can progress in Europe, having qualified for the last 16 of the Europa League.
Hearts have given as good as they’ve got in an open first 45 minutes at Tynecastle, with Clement potentially tempted to make changes to secure the lead.
Kabangu, who came so close to opening the scoring for Hearts before the own goal, is on loan in Scotland from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise – who were beaten by countryman Clement’s men in one of the highlights of a poor campaign as several maligned Rangers players raised their game.
Rangers have to hold on and make a statement with an away victory in the capital.