Substitute gives dour Rangers a little cheer

Super-sub Andrew Little rescued a point for Rangers as he struck a last minute equaliser to seal a 1-1 draw against ten-man Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday.

Scott Robinson gave Hearts the lead in the 75th minute just 90 seconds after Hearts player Christian Nade saw red for his second bookable offence.

A spirited performance from the Hearts defence looked to have sealed the win before Northern Irishman Little popped up to strike his first club for the club.

The point takes the league leaders ten points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League although rivals Celtic have two games in hand, starting with their match against St Johnstone on Sunday.

In the absence of the 31-goal partnership of Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller through injury Kyle Lafferty and John Fleck, who between them had scored three this season, filled in up front for Rangers.

Nade had the first real effort of the match in the fifth minute. Captain Michael Stewart picked him out at the edge of the box but he blasted his shot high over the bar.

With some of the Rangers players slow out of the blocks it was Lafferty who was first to try his luck but the Northern Irishman’s shot on the turn didn’t trouble Marian Kello.

Kello had to be at his best to produce a spectacular one-handed save low down to his right to prevent Steven Davis’ curling free-kick creeping in.

The home side threatened again from another set-piece when Kevin Thomson’s floated free-kick into a packed Hearts box was headed just over by Kirk Broadfoot.

Allan McGregor had to be alert at the start of the second-half when he saw Nade’s low drive late and got a fingertip to it to force in round the post.

Hearts were then forced on to the back foot with Sasa Papac stinging the hands of Kello with a 30-yard pile-driver.

Rangers were driving forward in search of an opener and Davis and Lee McCulloch both blasted efforts well over before Lafferty was presented with a golden chance to give his side the lead.

Fleck burst through the Hearts defence at pace and slipped in the beanpole striker but he hit his shot straight off the body of the out-rushing Kello. Hearts were reduced to ten-men in the 72nd minute following a moment of madness from Nade.

The Costa Rican, who had been booked just three minutes beforehand for a foul on McGregor, kicked the ball away in frustration after being flagged off-side and referee Calum Murray quickly gave him his marching orders.

However the sending off seemed to spur Hearts on and they took the lead 90 seconds later. Lee Wallace’s low drive was superbly saved by McGregor but Robinson got in front of Papac to slide the rebound into the net.

Rangers brought on youngsters Little and Gregg Wylde as they chased an equaliser but it was Hearts substitute Ryan Wallace who came closest when his drive was blocked by McGregor on the line.

Papac blasted a chance high over from ten yards before Little rescued a point for Rangers in the final minute.

McCulloch fiercely struck shot from the edge of the box was saved by Kello but the Northern Irish striker was first to the rebound to strike it home to keep Rangers’ ten-month unbeaten record at Ibrox intact.