Hearts probe:

HEARTS have launched an investigation into alleged racial abuse towards Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos during yesterday’s 1-1 Ladbrokes Premiership draw between the teams at Tynecastle. The incident in question is believed to have occurred when the Ibrox side’s Colombian striker equalised a Ryo Meshino opener for Hearts then celebrated by sliding on his knees in front of the home fans. “The club is aware of the incident in question and is currently investigating it,” read a statement issued by the Gorgie side yesterday. “It goes without saying that Heart of Midlothian Football Club utterly condemns any form of racism and any individuals found guilty of such an offence will face an indefinite ban from Tynecastle Park.” If the case is proven, Hearts owner Ann Budge is no stranger to taking strong action against the club’s own fans where it comes to supporter misbehaviour. Parts of Tynecastle were closed for the final two home games of last season after pyrotechnics and coins were thrown onto the pitch after a defeat to Hibernian. Certain areas of Tynecastle were still closed yesterday but the incident is believed to have occurred at the Gorgie Road end of the ground where the family section is located. The incident comes at the end of a week where England’s international match with Bulgaria was twice suspended for racist chanting. Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard admonished his players last night for failing to show the mentality required to return to the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership table at Tynecastle yesterday – and admitted his side will be in even bigger trouble if they make a similar sloppy start on Europa League duty against Porto on Thursday night. Falling behind to an early Ryo Meshino effort, Rangers equalised before half time through Alfredo Morelos but ultimately had to settle for the point which leaves them narrowly behind historic rivals Celtic, who have scored a solitary goal more. “I don’t think we performed well enough to win the game, that’s for sure,” said Gerrard. “I certainly see it as two points dropped right now. We didn’t start the game well enough. I thought we were poor in the early exchanges and were lucky not to be 2-0 down. “It’s about mentality. It’s that realisation of the opportunity you’ve got to win a football match. With all respect to Hearts, we should be fired up more than that, we should be ready to compete, coming out of the blocks more focused than that. “Look, it’s early days. We never got carried away going top – and we won’t be overly disappointed at the moment. There is a lot of football to be played, a lot of twists and turns. If we start like that against Porto, we could be in trouble. Big trouble.”