Here's five things we learned from Rangers' 3-0 win over Hearts on Wednesday night.
JAMES TAVERNIER’S PROBLEM IS THAT HE ISN’T SANDY JARDINE – BUT THEN WHO IS?
The Rangers captain attacks just like the great man but doesn’t have the Ibrox legend’s capacity to expertly read the game and make sure his defensive duties aren't forgotten.
And, as we saw at Celtic Park, Tavernier can be guilty of sloppiness when under no pressure. He is a puzzle of a footballer.
However, the right-back is a superb crosser of the ball and takes some stopping when he gets up a head of steam down that right wing.
A typical determined run set-up the first goal and then a perfect free-kick allowed Connor Goldson the easy task of heading home.
The second half was only minutes old when Tavernier hit the touchline in the style of Willie Johnstone and his cross picked out Defoe who didn’t score but Scott Arfield did.
Tavernier won’t go down as one of the great Rangers captains. He is a bit quiet for that role; however, if a few more had his attitude things would have gone a bit better.
When the Englishman comes in for criticism it is done with affection because the Rangers supporters can see what he gives, and has given, to their team.
Tavernier isn't perfect but outside of Alfredo Morelos, there surely can be another who has been involved in more goals this season.
JERMAINE DEFOE HAS BEEN UNDER-USED AT RANGERS
Anyone who doesn’t watch Rangers regularly would be forgiven for thinking Defoe has been something of a flop when, in fact, he’s done okay. It’s just he hasn’t had enough chances.
Everyone has a PHD in hindsight, of course, and maybe Steven Gerrard regrets not starting his former England team-mate more.
That’s seven goals, not bad from a handful of starts, and you can throw a few assists in there as well.
Defoe might not be the player he once was but remains sharp inside the box. If there is a loose ball bobbling about, which there was for his goal in this match, it tends to end up in the net.
Even at his peak, Defoe was more a poacher than the type who would beat three men to score - and that’s what Rangers have needed. It would have been interesting to see Morelos and he start together more often.
He was denied a second by a quite brilliant save from Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Alamal – it did lead to the third goal – and his running off the ball deserved better.
ALLAN MCGREGOR HAS DONE LITTLE WRONG
The old man of his side pulled off a superb save just after the half hour when he got his hand to the ball which Christophe Berra thought he’s scored with a fine header.
He will be in the running for player of the year and, for me, has been Rangers best performer this season.
McGregor should be captain. Perhaps next season if his body holds out.
THIS WAS ONE TO FORGET FOR CRAIG LEVEIN
Rangers played some decent stuff at times, but they were helped by a Hearts side who played as if they’d lost the league and derby just a few days before.
READ MORE: St Mirren 0 Celtic 2: How the Celtic players rated
In the 15 minutes leading up to Defoe’s goal, no Hearts player was able to keep the ball or pass to a team-mate. It was a shambolic performance from the first whistle.
They missed Uche Ikpeaqzu and, of course, Steven Naismith. Without these two, this Hearts side drops a few levels.
It’s hard not to feel sorry for Levein. Had Hearts not suffered a ridiculous number of injuries they had every chance of finishing second – they still do have a Scottish Cup final next week.
INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE WILL FANCY THEMSELVES AT HAMPDEN
If there was ever a case of the cliched 'a team has nothing to lose' it’s the semi-final at Hampden a week on Saturday.
Inverness won’t fear Hearts, not after this performance, and especially if Levein can’t get a few of his limping wounded back into the team.
Hearts were awful. They couldn’t defend, even the simplest tasks were beyond them, their passing non-existent, attacking blunt and too many didn’t fancy it.
They will be better in the semi-final. They honestly couldn’t be worse.
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