Hearts Hand Rangers First Away League Defeat of 2025 in Title Statement

Hearts Inflict Rangers’ First Away League Defeat of 2025 in 2-1 Victory

Hearts have taken a massive step forward in the Scottish Premiership title race, stunning Rangers with a 2-1 win at a rocking Tynecastle, ending the Ibrox side’s unbeaten away record in 2025.

Early goals from Stuart Findlay and Lawrence Shankland were enough to secure Derek McInnes’ side a fourth consecutive win against the Old Firm and stretch their lead at the top, as Rangers’ fight for the title took a severe blow.

Match Summary

• 13’ – VAR Denies Rangers: Emmanuel Fernandez’s header was tapped in by Bojan Miovski, but VAR ruled the Rangers striker offside.

• 30’ – Stuart Findlay: Rose above Connor Barron to power home a header from Kyziridis’ cross after a smart corner routine.

• 37’ – Lawrence Shankland: Doubled the lead with a thumping low drive at Butland’s near post.

• 90+1’ – Youssef Chermiti: Pulled one back late after capitalizing on Frankie Kent’s mistake.

Hearts Title Credentials Strengthened

With this win, Hearts remain unbeaten in 10 home league matches and have now beaten both Rangers and Celtic twice this season — a feat no side has managed since Dundee in 1985. The six-point gap over Celtic, albeit with one more game played, and a 12-point lead over Rangers makes them serious contenders.

Derek McInnes:

“We disrupted Rangers’ fluency… and I thought we defended brilliantly. We just missed that third goal.”

Hearts now head into the Edinburgh derby vs Hibs next weekend with momentum and confidence at an all-time high.

Rangers Analysis: Butland Blunder & Lack of Depth

Rangers looked promising early but were undone by poor finishing and uncharacteristic errors from goalkeeper Jack Butland, whose poor clearance led to the opener and who was caught out for Shankland’s strike.

Danny Rohl:

“We conceded two goals quickly and that changed the game… this was a step sideways, but we must respond.”

Injuries, suspensions, and AFCON absences have stretched Rangers thin. Without Nassir Djiga, Rohl deployed two full-backs in a makeshift back three, which failed to contain Hearts’ physicality.

Player Ratings Snapshot

What’s Next?

• Hearts: Face Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby on Saturday, 27 December (12:30 GMT).

• Rangers: Host Motherwell later the same day at 15:00 GMT, needing a response to revive their dwindling title hopes.