SPL wrap: Rangers close gap, Hearts break Kilmarnock

Rangers moved within two points of Scottish Premier League leaders Celtic with a 1-0 win at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Tuesday.

SPL top scorer Kenny Miller – reportedly on the verge of a move to Turkish club Bursaspor – was left out of the Rangers team by Walter Smith, with James Beattie and Kylie Lafferty starting up front in his absence.

Visitors Inverness came closest to taking the lead early on at Ibrox through striker Richie Foran, who saw his header tipped on to the bar by Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Lafferty twice came close at the other end, before he was involved in the opener on the stroke of half-time.

The Northern Ireland international – a three million-pound signing from Burnley in 2008 – saw his shot blocked, but the loose ball fell for Steven Davis, who found the bottom corner of the net with a strike from just outside the box.

Inverness could feel aggrieved at going behind after referee Craig Thomson failed to award a free-kick for a foul on Adam Rooney in the build-up.

Defender Graeme Shinnie kept the away side in the contest during the second half, making goal-line clearances from Lafferty and substitute Nikica Jelavic.

Visiting goalkeeper Ryan Esson also saved from Lafferty late on but, while Rangers failed to extend their advantage, Inverness proved unable to force an equaliser.

The win means Rangers are now two points behind Celtic with two games in hand over the league-leaders.

Elsewhere, third-placed Hearts came from behind to beat Kilmarnock 2-1 away from home and stay within five points of Rangers.

Visitors Hearts started the better of the two sides at Rugby Park, but it was Kilmarnock who took the lead in the 19th minute through Portuguese forward Rui Miguel.

Still trailing at half-time, Hearts boss Jim Jefferies introduced Stephen Elliott a minute after the restart and the substitution paid off.

Former Preston striker Elliot levelled in the 73rd minute, and with four minutes remaining Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell fumbled an Elliot shot into the net to hand all three points to the visitors.

Hearts are now 11 points ahead of fourth-placed Kilmarnock but remain five points behind Rangers, who have played one game fewer than the Edinburgh club.