CRAIG’S PARTY TOONS
Halkett stuns Newcastle-linked Gerrard with late Jambos leveller
Steven Gerrard has spent a fortnight being the talk of the Toon but ended up being stunned by the men in maroon.
The Rangers boss expertly dodged questions about being linked with the manager’s gig at newly-rich Newcastle.
But he couldn’t escape a late shock from Hearts as Craig Halkett struck in stoppage time to secure a point for the Jambos that looked a ridiculous notion at half-time.
Yet again Rangers were guilty of turning it on one minute, then switching off the next – leaving their gaffer scratching his head once more.
Gerrard’s players produced arguably their best 45 minutes of the season in the first half as John Lundstram’s 30-yard stunner gave them the lead and Hearts keeper Craig Gordon kept the score down at times.
But Robbie Neilson switched it up after the break while Gers dropped down the gears.
And the only downside for the Gorgie gaf fer was that he missed the leveller after being sent to the stand after a minor square go on the touchline.
It was a shock to see Allan
McGregor make a mess of the corner but the keeper had already bailed out his side with a couple of smart stops.
But Rangers were guilty of being wasteful in front of goal as has been the case so often this season and blew the chance to create daylight at the top of the table.
Fair play to the Jambos. They were battered before the break but refused to roll over.
And they grew into the game and pounced when the Ibrox nerves kicked in. Gerrard will be kicking himself though.
His globetrotters all came back from the international break in one piece and the only change from the Hibs game a fortnight ago was James Tavernier returning in place of the benched Nathan Paterson.
It might be there’s a bit of jobsharing between these two this season but the skipper was back and in the mood to make an impression.
He wasn’t the only one. Gers started like a side determined to get back to business and Hearts had to hang on a tad during the early storm.
You’d have stuck the house on Alfredo Morelos sticking away his first sight of goal when the ball was worked in to his path by Joe Aribo after Halkett got his pocket dipped by Scott Wright.
The Colombian was facing a tight angle but he still fancied his chances, only to drag his effort the wrong side of the post.
By that stage Gers had already threatened a few times. Wright and Ianis Hagi took pops from the edge of the box which needed to be dealt with by Gordon.
The Jambos were looking to hit on the counter but not much was sticking up top as the men in light blue were quick to pounce and pinch possession back as soon as possible.
Hearts were looking solid enough but not getting much joy up the other end, with a halfhearted shout for a penalty from
Liam Boyce coming from a rare trip into the home box.
Gordon got his side out of jail soon after though with a frantic double save.
The Scotland No.1 managed to keep out Leon Balogun’s thumping header, then recovered to keep out the rebound as well, before the ball was eventually smuggled out of danger.
It was going to take something special to beat Gordon. And Lundstram provided it.
Hearts were wobbling but Rangers were getting slightly frustrated before the midfielder let rip from 30 yards five minutes before the break.
Hagi did the legwork down the right and the ball was only partially cleared – so Lundstram couldn’t resist having a dig from distance, where he whipped the ball into the top bin.
It was no more than Rangers deserved from a really dominant first half.
Neilson went into the game with an impressive record against the Light Blues – albeit it from his first spell when the Ibrox side were toiling in the Championship.
A lot has changed since then – for both clubs.
Gers are a different animal, but so are the Jambos, and Neilson at least tried to change it up after the break.
He was more adventurous, and they got their rewards in the end.
Aribo and Morelos were looking for a killer second goal but they needed McGregor to come off his deckchair to make sure the slender lead was maintained.
Boyce was offside when we was blocked but Barrie McKay wasn’t when he wriggled free and it needed the No.1 to stick out a leg.
Moments later McGregor had to paw away Cameron Devlin’s drive as the nerves began to bite at Ibrox.
Sub Kemar Roofe nearly settled it but Gordon made another superb stop and had a little help from an upright before Morelos was inches away at the back post.
But when you miss chances you run the risk – and Hearts made them pay.
McGregor f lapped whi le Halkett lurked and the big defender made the most of his gift to grab a point.