Rangers boss Gerrard slams his side for poor display in Hearts loss

STEVEN Gerrard admits he has never seen Rangers play worse in his 100 games in charge than they did at Tynecastle as he warned a repeat display will kill off their title hopes.

Gerrard was hoping to celebrate a century of games in charge of the Light Blues with victory in the capital.

But instead it was Hearts manager Daniel Stendel who lapped up his first Premiership win since replacing Craig Levein.

Rangers were second best across the pitch but did grab the lead early in the second half thanks to Ryan Kent’s sixth goal of the season.

But the lead did not last long as Steven Naismith returned to haunt his old side with the equaliser, paving the way for Liam Boyce to grab a late winner just 24 hours after sealing his £150,000 return to Scottish football from Burton.

The defeat fired up the

Jambos’ belief that they can fight their way to safety as the basement boys clawed themselves to within a point of Hamilton.

But Rangers have little wiggle room left after falling five behind leaders Celtic, albeit with a game in hand.

Gerrard said: “We got what we deserved in terms of the outcome of the game. It’s probably the first time in 100 games that I haven’t recognised us in and out of possession.

“R i g h t n o w, i t ’s a concern and a worry. I look at our performances at Motherwell, Livingston, Hibs and Celtic Park – they were the complete opposite to what I saw yesterday, both with and without the ball.

“I c ould pi c k ei ght players I didn’t recognise – who were passengers. In 100 games, I’ve never sat here and said that.

“Celtic were waiting for us to blink. We’ve blinked. Big time.”

Liam Boyce (left) celebrates his winner for Hearts.