Pedro unconcerned as Gers draw a blank
RANGERS 0 HEARTS 0
FOUR of their rejects hit the net for their new clubs.
But Rangers’ recruits failed to fire as Hearts dug out a draw at Ibrox.
The Gers carved out enough chances to claim all three points against Jon Daly’s resolute Jam Tarts.
But while close season cast- offs Martyn Waghorn, Barrie McKay, Joe Garner and Michael O’Halloran all scored for their respective clubs, none of those that either remained or arrived at Ibrox this summer could do likewise.
In the end, Rangers claimed a point that leaves them five behind Celtic after just three games, and with just one Premiership victory to their name.
But Gers gaffer Pedro Caixinha insists he is not worried about his side’s struggle to convert chances.
“It is not a concern. As I always used to say, it is a concern when you don’t create chances,” he said.
“When you create chances the way we created today and dominated the way we did today, then I am not concerned.
“The only point which I need to understand is that we maybe need to play with a bit more tempo in our possession, keep the ball moving and be aggressive.”
He continued: “It is a frustrating result, of course. It is the second game in a row that we didn’t win.
“But I think we dominated the game from the beginning till the end.
“We created enough chances to score but
we couldn’t score. So I need to be happy with the efforts of the players, how they dominated the game and didn’t let the opponents to even think about an attack.”
All week, Caixinha has talked about his desire for respect.
The Portuguese reckons he – and Rangers – got exactly that from Hearts, who resorted to a containing effort as the Gers went in search of a goal.
“When I arrived at Ibrox last season I understood that other teams were not respecting us, and today I feel that respect from the way the teams approach the game,” he said. “That is one step ahead.” Dramatic notions of “respect” aside, it was a game of wasted opportunities, yet Rangers looked more likely throughout.
Kenny Miller was denied a gilt- edged chance to open the scoring 10 minutes in after a tidy move between Josh Windass and Lee Wallace won the latter space to pick out the veteran striker eight yards out.
The home fans rose expectantly, but were sent back to their seats by a superb sliding clearance by Hearts centre- half Christophe Berra.
The Gers’ rhythm pushed Jon Daly’s Jam Tarts deeper and deeper into their own territory, but they illustrated their threat when John Souttar drove forward from the back and pinged a fizzing effort off the bar from fully 30 yards.
Unlike Wes Foderingham’s woodwork, the Gers weren’t rocked and quickly hit their stride again.
Graham Dorrans threaded a terrific through ball for the lively Josh Windass on the half-hour, leaving the wide man with a clear path to goal until John Souttar’s last- gasp recovery tackle.
Almost five minutes later Bruno Alves saw a back post header cleared off the line by Michael Smith as Rangers ramped up the pressure.
Finally, Hearts stopper Jack Hamilton ensured his side reached the break level with a stunning reaction stop to deny Miller, whose first touch from Wallace’s cross had earned him an unchallenged shot on goal 12 yards out.
The pattern continued into the second half, with Hearts camped on the edge of their own box, seemingly happy to repel wave after wave of Rangers attack.
However, as final ball after final ball was sent soaring over the heads of those in blue, the home fans grew frustrated.
Finally, after Ryan Hardie saw an effort deflected over by Krystian Nowak before Alfredo Morelos’ header, from the resultant corner, was cleared off the line by Rafal Grzelak, their many groans turned to resignation.