10-man Hearts lose fight as McKay has the final say for Gers
RANGERS’ return to Europe next season was confirmed by a man who might not be around to savour the experience.
Barrie McKay struck decisively to settle an encounter that was less lopsided than might have been expected, given the dismissal of Prince Buaben a quarter of the way in.
More decisively, anyway, than the winger’s comments would suggest his employers have been in securing his continued stay at Ibrox.
With a multi-million-pound market value, only 12 months left on his current deal and some high-profile admirers, including Red Bull Leipzig, a change could be on the cards.
Rangers’ wobbles were surprising because they started where they had left off against Partick Thistle six days earlier – in among the goals.
Only six minutes had passed when Kenny Miller darted down the right and curled in a deep cross to the far post.
Joe Garner snuck in behind Prince Buaben to power a perfect header down into the ground and in at the far post.
Initially, Hearts responded positively, Don Cowie forcing a save out of Wes Foderingham with a fierce shot from a tight angle.
Their hopes were sabotaged by one of their own midway through the first half, though, when Prince Buaben was sent off for a last-man foul on Josh Windass, who had raced on to a Garner flick.
Whether the former Accrington Stanley attacker would have scored if left unchecked, we will never know.
For certain, though, the action of hauling him back by his shoulder left referee Bobby Madden no choice but to reach into his pocket and pull out the red card.
The Ghanaian cut a disconsolate figure as he trudged off the pitch.
Hearts boss Ian Cathro reacted by switching to a 4- 4- 1 formation, pulling Isma Goncalves back into midfield and Don Cowie into defence to allow Krystian Nowak to move into the middle.
It worked OK but Hearts’ shape improved when Alexandros Tziolis replaced Malaury Martin at halftime and took his place at the centre of a back three.
That allowed Bjorn Johnsen and Goncalves to both play up front – a bold tactic which produced the equaliser after Windass gifted Hearts possession.
Johnsen burst all the way up the left flank and, as Foderingham closed the angle, pulled the ball across to Goncalves, who shot into the unprotected net.
The visitors again handicapped their own efforts, however, when debutant keeper Viktor Noring made a hash of a punch clear, then compounded things by allowing himself to be outmuscled by Garner.
The ball fell to McKay, who shot home to make it 2-1.
To Hearts credit, this might have been 11 against 10 for threequarters of the match, but it had the feel of a level contest throughout.
Hearts skipper Don Cowie admitted: “This is a tough place to come, especially when you go down to 10 men, but we stuck at it really bravely, created chances and made it difficult for Rangers.
“We all take responsibility about the way things have gone over the last few months.
“A lot of it has been put on to the manager, but players need to take part of the blame.
“Performances have not been good enough but I firmly believe we have a tremendous manager.
“We need to stick by him and get through this really tough period.
“I firmly believe what he is trying to do at the club, and I believe after the summer we will come back a stronger team.”
One player who will be watching events from afar is Clint Hill, Rangers’ departing defender last night voicing his farewells through the press.
“I’ll be moving on unfortunately. It’s been a great year. It’s been hard on the pitch in terms of performances,” said the 38-year-old.
“But it’s been brilliant for me, a real career highlight to represent this club and wear this shirt.
“I’m a bit disappointed but I’ve been in football long enough to know that when new managers come in, they have different ideas on personnel.
“Hopefully the club will get back to the top sooner rather than later.
“I want to play one more year somewhere else – there’s life in the old dog yet!”