Football Nostalgia: Rangers revenge is sweet for Hearts

Hearts made up for the midweek nightmare of losing to Rangers in the League Cup with a sizzling performance. It was Rangers' turn to get the run-around and player-manager Alex McDonald rocked them with a quick goal.

John Robertson gave them a 2-0 interval lead and Jimmy Bone really rattled Rangers by thumping in a third right after the interval.

Walter Kidd, Robertson and Bone returned to the Hearts side while Rangers relied on the team which had won 3-0 at Tynecastle.

Hearts forced a first-minute corner which came to nothing before a fine tackle by Craig Paterson prevented Robertson racing clear after good work by Alex MacDonald.

The home side made a good start and in eight minutes, MacDonald put them ahead.

A short free kick from Sandy Jardine to David Bowman led to the goal.

Bowman's shot was blocked but the ball spun clear to MacDonald who hammered it past Peter McCloy from 12 yards. That was just the tonic Hearts needed after what had happened three days before and Rangers were rattled at falling behind.

Davie Cooper did his best to worry the Hearts defenders by switching wings continuously but Jardine and his two full-backs coped well enough with everything Rangers had to offer.

Hearts conceded several free kicks and certainly they were giving Rangers no chance to settle.

But Henry Smith needed to pull out a super save from a well-placed Sandy Clark shot to keep Hearts in front.

Rangers stepped up the pace but their finishing was poor and Hearts comfortably kept them out.

And in 29 minutes there was another shock for Rangers when Hearts stepped into a two-goal lead.

Again a Jardine free kick caused panic in the Ibrox defence. Bone's shot was bravely blocked almost on the line but young Robertson nipped in to force it past the helpless McCloy.

Robertson was lectured for a foul on David McPherson before Ian Redford was booked for bringing down Donald Park.

Next minute, Swedish midfielder Robert Prytz came on for Bobby Russell.

Despite one blunder by Jardine, Hearts showed tremendous composure in face of Rangers' best efforts and fully deserved the standing ovation they received from their fans as they trooped off at the interval.

Just two minutes after the restart, Bone put Hearts three up. Prytz was very short with a pass to McPherson which allowed Robertson to slip in, push the ball forward to Bone who gave McCloy no chance with a low drive.

The transformation was quite amazing because Hearts fought for every ball and never allowed Rangers a minute's peace.

Rangers were right up against it and there was no sign of an Ibrox fight-back. Hearts had displayed the right attitude while Rangers were completely disjointed and awfully disappointing.

Hearts might easily have had four because Paterson also cleared off the line from Robertson.

Hearts: Smith, Kidd Cowie, Jardine, R MacDonald, MacLaren, Bowman, Robertson, Bone, A MacDonald, Park. Subs: Gould, Mackay.

Rangers: McCloy, Dawson, McLelland, McPherson, Paterson, Redford, Cooper, McCoist, Clark, Russell, Mitchell. Subs: Prytz, McKinnon.