Rangers Scottish Premiership title challenge suffered a potentially decisive setback at Tynecastle as a 2–1 defeat to Heart of Midlothian left the Ibrox side 12 points adrift of the league leaders and mired in inconsistency as the festive period approaches.
The visitors began with purpose, enjoying a spell of early pressure that hinted at a response to recent scrutiny. However, as has too often been the case this season, Rangers failed to convert momentum into control.
Once Hearts weathered the opening phase, the match tilted sharply in the home side’s favour and Rangers were unable to regain a foothold.
The key moment arrived when Hearts struck first from a set-piece, an area that continues to trouble Rangers.
Former Celtic defender Stuart Findlay rose to power a header beyond the Rangers goalkeeper, punishing slack marking and underlining familiar defensive issues.
Reflecting on the goal, Findlay admitted the timing was crucial.
He said: “We probably weathered a wee bit of an early storm today, but to get the goal when we did was a massive moment.
I was absolutely delighted to get the goal myself, but I wouldn’t have cared who put the ball over the line.”
From that point, Rangers appeared increasingly uneasy.
Although there were passages of tidy build-up play, their attacking threat lacked sharpness and conviction in the final third.
Too many promising situations fizzled out, while Hearts grew in confidence and clarity.
Findlay’s strike was not a moment of improvisation but the product of preparation - a detail that will frustrate Rangers further.
“When you’ve got that quality of delivery, it’s going to be put on a sixpence.
“Luckily it was right on my head and I managed to get a good connection.
“It was a really well-worked set-piece.”
Hearts second goal just minutes later from Lawrence Shankland compounded Rangers problems, exposing a lack of composure at a pivotal stage of the contest.
While Rangers eventually pulled a goal back via Yousef Chermiti it came too late to change the outcome and instead highlighted how much ground they had already ceded.
The broader implications are stark. Rangers now sit fourth in the table - behind Motherwell on goal difference - and face a growing gap not only to Hearts but to the standards required of a genuine title contender.
Even with a game in hand, the 12-point deficit feels daunting given their ongoing struggle for consistency.
The contrast in atmosphere and belief was also telling.
Tynecastle was raucous and expectant, feeding a Hearts side that looked comfortable under pressure. Findlay was quick to acknowledge the role of the home support.
“The Hearts fans thrive on the big occasions,” he explained.
“When we got the first goal, the place was bouncing.
“They’re giving us everything and we’re giving everything back.”
For Rangers, the defeat sharpens the focus on January and beyond.
Questions around defensive organisation, leadership in big away fixtures, and mental resilience refuse to fade.
Matches of significance continue to slip away, and the margin for recovery is now vanishingly small.