Morelos missing as Jambos storm past Gers into semis
Steven Gerrard’s hopes of laying his hands on domestic silverware lay in ruins last night after a raucous clash at Tynecastle.
Outpaced in the Premiership by rivals Celtic, they were bundled out of the Scottish Cup by a home side who made a nonsense of their place at the foot of the league table.
There was high drama from start to finish – in fact, it began before a ball was kicked.
There was no sign of Alfredo Morelos in the Rangers side or among the substitutes and the manager didn’t pull any punches when quizzed about the omission when quizzed about it by broadcasters Premier Sports.
“I’ve decided to pick players that have done the full preparation and that are desperate to be here and help us get through to the next round,” he said.
“Alfredo’s not with us today because of a disciplinary issue. He was given permission last week to go to Colombia on Sunday until Wednesday to deal with a family matter, which we supported and agreed to.
“He’s reported back 24 hours late from that and due to that he’s failed to report to training on Thursday, which means he’s missed a lot of the preparation going into this game.”
No Morelos then but there was certainly no lack of controversy, capped by an extraordinary couple of minutes before the break.
First, Hearts were denied a clear penalty when the ball was turned behind by the arm of Rangers defender George Edmundson.
Referee Steven McLean either missed it or didn’t want to know because he waved instead for a corner.
When Lewis Moore swung the ball
in it initially appeared to have been headed across McGregor and into the far corner of the net by Loic Damour.
As the players around him knew and television evidence showed clearly, he had instead flung up his hands to meet the cross.
Rangers would have been annoyed enough at the attempted deception but the fact he received no caution for doing so, incensed them.
The Frenchman had earlier been booked for a foul so the second yellow would have meant a red and an early bath.
As the whistle blew up for half time, the arguments raged on.
Gerrard, a distinctive figure as ever, was right at their heart as he attempted to seek an explanation from McLean as
Naismith played peacekeeper.
It was crucial moment as Hearts, with their 11 men in place, grabbing the lead on their return.
Lewis Moore made a bold dart in from the left wing before cutting the back perfectly to Oliver Bozanic.
Six yards out he drilled a shot straight past McGregor and it was 1-0.
Gerrard, who had seen his side’s unsure defending contrasted by their menace on the counter, had to act.
Off went Ryan Kent and Greg Stewart, who had looked a little clumsy. On, in their place, came Ianis Hagi and Jermaine Defoe.
It helped a bit with Ryan Kent, match-winning hero of Braga last Wednesday night, forcing a save from Bobby Zlamal at his near post.
Edmundson then flashed a powerful header over from a cross by James Tavernier.
The push for an equaliser left them vulnerable and Steven Naismith passed up a great chance from close range.
It was a shame because the striker’s relish for the big occasion shone out for all to see last night.
At 33, he still flings himself about seemingly scant regard for his wellbeing all the while putting his experience to good use.
He had earlier been unlucky with one great header which was denied by an equally impressive save from Allan McGregor who leapt high to tip the ball over his crossbar.
This was to be Hearts night, though, with their performance all the more impressive because they had to deal with the loss of one of their key players.
John Souttar lasted just quarter of an hour before going down clutching his calf.
With the Scotland internationalist unable to move, a stretcher was called for and he was carried off the pitch to a backdrop of sympathetic applause.