Rangers defeat Hearts 2-0, match review

By: j | August 16th, 2008

The Rangers came away with a resounding 2-0 victory over Hearts and a reaffirming statement of heart and intention in front of their fans at Ibrox today.

From start to finish, the Gers displayed the heart and passion that has been absent this summer and were deserving of the victory. Fittingly Kyle Lafferty, who played a stellar match, hard tackling and challenging at every opportunity, scored the winning goal as he sent Madjid Bougherra’s cross past goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald at the thirty-seven minute mark. However while I mention his goal I want to emphasize the many tough challenges he pursued throughout the match because it was evident how Hearts were worked away from their tactical plan as frustration set-in. Equally the striking duo of Andrius Velicka and Kris Boyd were given the starting assignment, played with the passion of “something to prove” and should be rubber stamped into next weeks lineup.

However the day belonged to new-man Pedro Mendes who endeared himself to the Ibrox faithful with not only his offensive creativity but hard-charging play. From the get-go, he flourished in the attack setting up Lee McCulloch at the four minute mark, amongst numerous other moves he initiated and was ruthless defending. Hearts frustration was best typified by Saulius Mikoliunas, who was having a solid match but sent off with his second yellow, the first being for a wonderfully dramatic dive (oh, the agony of it all) and the damning second, a ridiculously late challenge on Kenny Miller. Kris Boyd rounded out the scoring with a added-time penalty strike, after Kenny Miller was brought down in the box by Lee Wallace.

The Rangers now head to Aberdeen in week three of the season, looking to keep their winning streak going.

Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, McCulloch (Miller 60), Thomson, Pedro Mendes, Lafferty (Beasley 62), Velicka (Darcheville 82), Boyd.
Subs Not Used: Alexander, Dailly, Furman, Fleck.
Booked: Thomson.

Goals: Lafferty 37, Boyd 90 pen.

Hearts: MacDonald, Thomson, Zaliukas, Berra, Lee Wallace, Kingston (Mikoliunas 65), Stewart, Karipidis, Driver, Mole (Cesnauskis 75), Ksanavicius (Nade 50).
Subs Not Used: Kello, Palazuelos, Makela, Jonsson.

Sent Off: Mikoliunas (74). Booked: Kingston, Mikoliunas.