RANGERS made amends for their Tynecastle horror show as Ian Cathro’s first game in charge of Hearts ended in defeat at Ibrox.
Goals from Rob Kiernan and Barrie McKay earned Mark Warburton’s side a crucial three points in the race to be best of the rest in the Premiership.
The Gers were well beaten when they made the trip to the Capital but followed up their victory over Aberdeen with another deserved triumph.
Rangers are now five points clear of the Jambos and four in front of the Dons after their draw with St Johnstone at Pittodrie.
Gers boss Warburton made two changes from the side that beat Aberdeen last weekend as Danny Wilson replaced the suspended Clint Hill and James Tavernier replaced Michael O’Halloran and assumed a midfield role for the Light Blues.
Much of the build-up had been dominated by the appointment of Cathro but there was little for the 30-year-old to be cheerful about at Ibrox.
It was Rangers who had the first attempt as Lee Wallace fired just wide after a McKay cross was cleared and Warburton’s side should have been ahead just minutes later.
A raking pass from Wilson beat the Jambos defence and found Kenny Miller but the striker couldn’t get his effort on target as he lobbed keeper Jack Hamilton.
At the other end, Hearts thought they had broken the deadlock but their celebrations were cut short. Don Cowie converted a Callum Paterson cross after a smart save from Wes Foderingham but the offside flag denied the midfielder the first goal of the Cathro era.
It was one of the few occasions where Hearts threatened and the visitors had Hamilton to thank for keeping the score level as he pulled off a smart save from Wallace after a neat move from Rangers.
The Ibrox crowd didn’t have to wait long to celebrate, though, as Kiernan headed the Gers in front. Tavernier swung in a free-kick from the left flank and Kiernan rose highest in the area and finished well as Warburton’s side assumed a deserved lead.
It was an advantage that they doubled just five minutes into the second half. Cathro had made his first switch as Tony Watt replaced Jamie Walker but it was the Hearts defence who were caught cold as a Wallace throw-in evaded everyone in maroon.
McKay was on hand at the back post to convert and put Rangers well in control of a feisty encounter.
Arnaud Djoum wasted Hearts’ next chance as they looked for a way back into the game, the midfielder firing a free-kick high over Foderingham’s bar from the edge of the area before Martyn Waghorn and Joe Garner tried their luck from distance.
With 20 minutes left, Waghorn should have put the result beyond doubt and added a shine to the score line for Rangers.
McKay was once again the architect as his pass sent Waghorn clear but the striker couldn’t beat Hamilton as he spurned a glorious chance to add to his tally. Just seconds later, he ballooned another effort high over the bar.
There was no way back for Hearts as Rangers controlled the game, a Bjorn Johnsen strike that didn’t worry Foderingham all the visitors could muster.
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